Gift Ideas at Simon Johnson

If you are looking for a gift for someone who enjoys cooking {or eating} this Christmas I would highly recommend you check out the Simon Johnson online store. They have some wonderful things and ship all over Australia. I loved the styling of their gift collection catalogue as above and I know a little 6 year old who will love the giant midi Durade chocolate fish {105 grams} which I will be ordering in for his Christmas stocking!

Christmas Wreaths Australian Style

A flowering gum wreath from Grandiflora hangs on Beth from Boatshed Chic's front door above. Beth's amazing boat shed was featured in the Christmas issue of Country Style magazine last year {2008}.


Here in Saskia Haveke's own entryway hangs one of her amazing creations; a flannel flower-and-pieris-laden lichen branch wreath as featured in Inside Out Christmas Issue 2007.

Here in Australia it is a little harder to keep live Christmas wreaths looking wonderful and fresh due to our extremely hot Summer weather. However, that doesn't stop celebrated florists like Saskia Havekes of Grandiflora creating amazing wreaths for her clients and her own home at Christmas. Saskia tends to use Australian natives in her wreaths which can be hardier and more inclined to last. If you opt for a fresh wreath this Christmas I would suggest filling a spray bottle with water and spraying the wreath at least twice a day to keep it looking fresh and beautiful.

Another wonderful and hardy option for warmer climates would be to decorate a branch wreath with succulents like April Hiler has done above.

T'is The Season

It's usually around early to mid November each year that I start to get my thinking cap on with regards to my plans and ideas for Christmas. All the inspiring Christmas ideas are out in the Magazines by this time each year and most stores have their Christmas decorations up and the season is in full swing.

My planning for this year's Christmas started over the weekend with my purchase of the December issue of Inside Out magazine whose Christmas spread each year is one of my absolute favourites. Not only did I scour through this year's issue, I pulled out issues from previous years which were so beautiful and thought provoking!!

One thing I read in the December 2008 issue which I absolutely loved was a quote by Stylist Lynsey Fryers;

"Don't be put off by thinking you must do things in a certain way, because Christmas is so personal."

I for one am a person who does do Christmas a little more on the abstract side when it comes to the colours/patterns/papers/decorations I use. I tend to love a touch of pink, yellow, lime green, aqua and orange. I find that even though these colours aren't really traditional Christmas colours, to me they are festive and bright and happy.

Over the weekend I went back through the photos of what I created last year to get myself motivated. Harry and I also cooked up a batch of star shaped short bread as a practice run for the 14 batches we will be cooking the week of Christmas to give to our family & friends.

So, in the coming weeks I thought I would talk and post all things Christmas. From entertaining ideas, gift wrapping ideas, decorations and gifts. I hope in some way I can inspire you to create something wonderful of your own this Christmas. Let's join together and celebrate the spirit of this wonderful season!!

xo

Anna

Image 1 - wreath by Saskia Havekes of Grandiflora, Image 2 - Lynsey Fryers home & quote via Inside Out magazine December 2008, Image 3 - Cover of Inside Out December 2009 Christmas issue, Image 4 - My 2008 Christmas Tree creation.

I Love Her Dress Too!!

And look at her fabulous dress!! Thanks for emailing me this one Kelly!!

PS. Kelly said that she saved this photo a couple of years ago from an advertisement for a fabric house! Could it be Clarence House? They always do the best advertisements along with Osborne & Little!!

I Love Her Dress

I have had this image saved in my picture file for a long time and as I was flipping through my images today I spotted it again. I absolutely LOVE her dress. I think she looks so groovy and stylish!

Image - Hugh Stewart

Imperial Trellis Wallpaper ON SALE!!

I have a very special offer I would like to extend to you all. I have 3 triple rolls and 1 single roll of Kelly Wearstler Imperial Trellis wallpaper in the citrine colourway available and one triple roll of the pink colourway available which I am offering for sale at the crazy price of Australian $295.00 per roll for the triple rolls and Australian $98.00 per roll for the single roll. If you have ever priced this wallpaper here in Australia you will know that the triple rolls sell for well over $1000 per roll! If you want to purchase these rolls please be quick as they will be sold to the first person to call or email us. info@blackandspiro.com.au

1 Triple roll equates to 12.3 meters long

1 Single roll equates to 4.1 meters long

xo

Anna

Nb. The total amount of the citrine colourway we have available would be enough to do a large feature wall or possibily a small powder room.

*****UPDATE - ALL PAPER IS NOW SOLD. THANKS SO MUCH!!!

Bright & Colourful

It seems I am loving lots of orange lately as noticeable in the shop at the moment. I took this photo this afternoon of our front room at Black & Spiro. There is so much colour in there right now which I love...colour makes me so happy!! Unfortunately this photo isn't the best so make sure you drop into the shop to have a look as it really is looking lovely. Oh, and next week we will be receiving 32 beautiful Black & Spiro cushions in for the shop from our cushion maker in lots of gorgeous mismatched fabrics {including a few vintage fabrics}...perfect for a special Christmas gift!!

PS. Click on image to enlarge.