Spring Has Sprung...

It's the first day of Spring here in Australia and it's my Wedding Anniversary so here are some florals on florals on florals from an old Vogue Living article to celebrate...

Noah's White House with the Blue Shutters

Have you seen the movie The Notebook? Then you probably swooned over the house that Noah fixed up for his lost love Allie like the rest of us.

The real house used in the movie was Martin's Point Plantation on Wadmalaw Island (South Carolina). It was built in 1772. In this shot of the front porch you can see the water:

If you haven't seen the movie yet, here's a tip: be sure to have a box of tissues handy. Today I posted photos of Noah's house over at Hooked on Houses. Head over there if you want to see them! (You can see links to all of my movie posts here.)

A Pretty House

I think this house is so pretty and charming. The all-white background is divine and I love the little hints of blue and pink and red and green.

All images via skona hem

Displaying Collections

I often talk about collections and how to display them. Here a few images to inspire...

All images via skona hem

Bright & Colourful

I love these two bright and colourful vignettes....perfect inspiration for Spring!

Top image from British Homes & Gardens and bottom image from Notebook magazine.

Also, I would like to send a huge thanks to Vera Klein for her mention of Absolutely Beautiful Things in this month's Notebook Magazine!! xx Anna

It Has Potential

This little old fisherman's cottage {bottom image} is one I've often admired on my morning walks over at Straddie. I think this house has so much potential and when you look at the top image you might possibly agree with me?!

Image 1 - elle decor

Friday Flowers

Here are some pretty fresh Freesias in an old bottle vase which I have placed on a table in the shop to end this week. See you next week...

A 13th-Century English Cottage

I know this blog is called Beach Cottage Love, but the truth is that I love all cottages, everywhere! I've been to England a couple of times, and one of the highlights for me was seeing old cottages like this one, which is near Bath in Wiltshire.

The listing states that this 3-bedroom home, and most of the others in its village, date back to the 13th century. Doesn't it look cozy?

It sits on the bank of the River Avon, beside what is described as "the ancient bridge." Does that mean it's been around since the 13th century, too?

All of this history and charm comes with what seems like a very reasonable price tag: £395,000. I'm afraid it won't seem quite as good a deal if we convert that to U.S. dollars, however (so let's not bother).

Want to go in on it with me?

Today it's Hooked on Fridays, a blog party I host at Hooked on Houses to celebrate the things that make us happy. This old English cottage is what I'm hooked on. Head over there to see what everyone else is talking about!

Knock! Knock! Knock! Are the Borrowers In?

While perusing the Internet for some information on Granny Square patterns one thing led to another as it inevitably does and I found a new site, it is called Red Shoes. The woman who writes this Blog has a store in Ann Arbor, Mi. I have always been aware of what an artsy town it is, but somehow I missed this: Fairy Doors.

A number of stores in the town are participating in an Urban Fairy Project, in which they have created doors for the Fairies to enter their premises. I know, I know, I have a real thing for gnomes and this is something that falls in line with that. I would be crazy enough to have something like this near my front door. I love the whimsical appeal of it, and the imaginative ideas it sparks in the children who see it (big and little children). To have your very own Borrowers' entrance.

I am sure the Borrowers in my house would appreciate that, there are some things I wouldn't mind having back if they are done with them, because I have been on the hunt all summer for one item in particular, I can't find it anywhere! My only conclusion is that they are using it at the moment, maybe they won't need it anymore when the weather gets cooler?

I am attaching the article that featured her "door" and a website that includes the maps and locations of other fairy doors.

http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/ArtBiz08.aspx

http://www.urban-fairies.com/

I love that once you are inside her door continues right through the wall and into the store, what imagination!


(All pictures featured were "borrowed" from the urban-fairies website)

Black & Spiro Today

The shop is brimming with lots of lovely new things. I thought I would share a few photos of some of our new bits & pieces.

Megan Park's Latest Collection

Today I viewed the new Megan Park cushion collection and I must say it was very beautiful. Our new stock will be arriving early November which is still a couple of months away but it will be well worth the wait. We will be sure to let everyone on our mailing list know when they arrive. I absolutely love the styling of her new range as above....so simple and beautiful.

To be kept in the loop please email us info@blackandspiro so that we can add you to our mailing list.

Fabric Deja Vu

I knew I had seen that gorgeous Christopher Farr fabric before when I opened up my copy of this month's Vogue Living and spotted those beautiful chairs on the cover by designer Darryl Gordon. When I stayed at the Haymarket Hotel in London last year that fabric was used by owner & designer Kit Kemp en masse in the foyer of the hotel. It's such a fresh and vibrant fabric and looks so beautiful on those chairs on the cover of VL. I thought I would show you a few photos I snapped last year of the fabric and how it was used at the Haymarket.

Image 1, 2, 3 - Anna Spiro, Image 4 - Vogue Living

A Charming Summer Cottage

This sweet garden shed, which sits on the grounds of a distinguished Georgian home in England, was turned into a charming guest cottage.

I think this would be a lovely place to be a guest, don't you? Once I was there, I'm afraid the homeowners may never get me to leave.


I love this votive-candle chandelier:

This cottage is one of JJ Locations' listings of places that film companies can rent. What kind of movie can you picture being filmed here? Something romantic, I imagine! (To see photos of the main house, click here.)

Visit The Inspired Room to see what everyone else thinks is beautiful this week!

P.S. Stop by Hooked on Houses today to see photos of Julianne Moore's $12 million townhouse in NYC.

Hi there! I'm back from my lovely summer holiday - a cruise around the Med with my family - and feel thoroughly spoilt. I'm now having to remember what my kitchen and utility room are for! As soon as my children go back to school I'll be able to start producing some artwork again. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these photos of our vacation.

It's Feeling Like Summer

Dana Cowie Artist


Photograph above by Robert Capa, Magnum Photos 1996 Estate of Robert Capa via Style Court

Francois Hallard

Hugh Stewart Photographer

Brooke Gianetti


Cap Ferrat - Anna Spiro

Grace Kelly Image source unknown

Tim Clarke

At the moment nothing excites me more than the thought of Summer. Our weather here in Brisbane this week has been crazy hot. I feel like it's those hot few weeks we experience just before Christmas but it's still Winter. It does scare me a little to think that we are probably in for an extremely hot Summer. All this heat has got me looking at Pool Houses, Outdoor Showers, Beach House images etc. etc. So, here are a few images I'm loving right now. There's probably a few pics we've all seen before but nothing like a few good oldies to come back and inspire us...

Last image via Desire to Inspire