Justin & Jody's House

This is my beautiful friend Jody!

Yes, that's me taking lots of photos of all the pretty things!

FINALLY, here are some photos of my friend's house. Justin & Jody have just finished building this modern house which they are planning on selling very soon as they are about to embark on another project.

Jody wanted a really pretty look which is a big departure from the look she had in her previous house which was taupe and natural.

They had lots of old pieces of furniture which they had collected over the years which we painted and recovered. There are some more pictures of their bedroom which we did in navy and white which I will post sometime soon as well! Hope you like this fun, happy, bright house!!

They're Coming!!

It seems I am experiencing a few technical camera/computer problems. I know I said I would post images of my friends house tonight however, it's just not going to be possible as I am so hopeless at computer problems! Here is one more image to keep you going for the meantime! Please bear with me. I hope to have the complete set of pictures posted here tomorrow sometime. Thanks for your patience!!

Time Spent

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. "

More Photos Tomorrow

I will post the photos of my friend's house, which I just finished working on, tomorrow as I didn't have time to upload the photos before I left the office this afternoon...sorry!!! However, here's one sneak peek picture to whet your appetite!!

Image - Anna Spiro

The Week Ahead

I thought I would post this pretty blue and white image to begin the new week. I love the simplicity of this little corner. I would love to sit on that gorgeous cane chair whilst I chatted on the phone to my mother or a close friend!

This week we have a number of big installations happening which will mean a very busy, yet exciting week ahead. I also have a gorgeous house to share with you all which I have just finished working on for one of my lovely friends. I hope to post photos of it tomorrow night so stay tuned...

Image - House Beautiful

Weekend Flowers

I think I might break my budget again this weekend and head off to buy myself some more fresh flowers! I'm off now until next week. I have a busy weekend planned which will be fun!

Thanks again for your lovely emails and comments this week. You are amazing!

xx

Anna

Image - Flickr

Gumdale House

I have been meaning to share more pictures of the gorgeous Gumdale house I finished late last year. I was just flicking through my picture files and spotted this image of a corner of the family room and it reminded me. I promise I will post some more pictures of this lovely home soon!!

Gale Force

Pink & Red

It's no secret that I love pink. I also love pink and red together. I think it's just such an unexpected yet gorgeous colour combination!

Image via - Wide open spaces journal

My Decorating Life

You know what? I need to be really honest with you all. I would imagine that you would think my job is so glamorous and amazing. Am I right?

Well, I have to tell you that it is the most amazing job and I absolutely ADORE what I do but I also have to tell you that it is one of the hardest jobs in the whole wide world.

On a daily basis I attempt to please every single one of my clients. On a daily basis I am disappointed by goods not arriving on time, manufacturers and suppliers breaking their promises and goods being delivered faulty or completely and utterly wrong and not how we ordered them.

I just need to make it clear that even though this job is my lifelong passion I just wish that I could do it better and no matter how hard I try sometimes it's just not good enough.

I'm sure this is the same in every profession but relying on others in this profession is so disappointing and so embarrassing at times and no matter what you do, sometimes it all just ends up wrong!

I don't want your sympathy. That's not what this post is about. I just thought I'd tell you that it really isn't as glamorous as it sounds.

Tomorrow will be better. I know it will be.

Images via Vi.sualize.us

*Reminder

We all need to remind ourselves of this one...

Images via vi.sualize.us

Bed of Flowers

I fell in love with this gorgeous guest house in the Netherlands when it was featured in Real Living magazine recently. I love, love, love it! The coloured feature walls are divine and I love them paired with the floral fabrics, vintage floral artwork, white walls and vintage inspired furniture pieces. The house is aptly named Bed of Flowers!! You can stay at this beautiful place and I must say I think it is very reasonable priced. Click HERE to visit the website.

Sunday at Mum & Dads

Today we went to Mum and Dad's house which isn't unusual for a Sunday. We are a very close family and we tend to gather at my parent's house at least once a week for a family lunch or dinner. My mother is the most amazing cook and host. She loves entertaining and having her family around her.

I thought the house looked so lovely today so I took a few photos of an area outside their kitchen where we all gather when Mum is cooking. She is always arranging flowers from her garden in table vignettes and potting up her large flower pots on the deck which keeps the house looking so fresh and pretty. She constantly inspires me.

I Love Saturday Mornings

It's 8.54am Saturday morning and I'm up which is quite unusual for me on a Saturday. I love sleeping in on the weekend. However, today I think I am going to get up and get going. I might head out to see what new goodies Michael Allen has and then I might grab a coffee and head over to New Farm to do my usual Saturday morning drop into Black & Spiro to see what's happening. I love that today is mine and I get to choose what I want to do....How about you? What are you planning today??

Paintings To Die For...

Ever since I stumbled across Holly Farrell's work over at Wide Open Spaces I have been obsessed! Her paintings are so realistic at first glance I thought they were photographs. I absolutely adore her book paintings. Based in Toronto, Canada her website is fantastic for we Aussies who live a little too far away to view her work in person.

As a side note, I am currently looking for some beautiful original artwork to display in my store, Black & Spiro. If anyone is interested in submitting their work for consideration please email me...anna@blackandspiro.com.au. I would be very excited to see paintings of table vignettes, vases of flowers, room scenes, pieces of furniture, blue and white ginger jars filled with flowers etc. etc. etc. I am looking for pieces which are medium to large in size.

*Happy Thought

Image 1 - vi.sualize.us, Image 2 - Akihiro Furata Photographer via vi.sualize.us

Madison Feature

I am thrilled to be featured in Madison magazine this month. I was asked to list some of my favourite blogs and unfortunately they had to edit my list as it was way too long. Therefore, not all of my favourites were listed.

Black & Spiro Today

I love our new inlaid trays as above and also the Chinese brushes are so beautiful...the hot pink one is begging me to take it home!!

The shop is brimming with lots of new pieces and even more special things are due to arrive within the next couple of weeks. One of my favourite new pieces is our black and white pin striped Lulu sofa with it's hot pink painted legs...so fun! I love it teamed with our beautiful multi-coloured Suzani.

This little vintage chair is so pretty. I would love to see it find a home in a little girl's bedroom!

Bathandwa Centre

My friend Vanessa Malherbe is actively involved in community development and she invited me to come see one of the projects that she is involved with in Khayelitsha.

They managed to get Discovery Health involved in this project and on the day I went there were about 10 volunteers helping with renovation work.

I went along with Vanessa to see the project and take some photos for her and myself and did not get involved in the renovation work as we stayed only for a short while.

The amount of love and dedication shown by the caretakers like Virginia was beautiful.

A new building is being built for Bathandwa and they are hoping to be moving premises by the end of May. The current house is over populated and this move will be a great relief.

"If we can save just one child from a life of poverty, it will have been worth it" - Bathandwa

The Bathandwa Day and Night Care Centre is a place of safety that cares for abandoned, HIV+ and physically or mentally disabled children - children who would otherwise be left impoverished to wander the streets of Cape Town.



Currently, 36 children are living in a home more suitable for a family of five. The house belongs to the couple who founded the place of safety, and is where they raised their own three children.

For more information visit:

http://www.bathandwa.org.za/