Showing posts with label Anna Spiro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anna Spiro. Show all posts

May 14, 2013

Anna Spiro


From Day one Anna Spiro has been my girl! In fact, just to fill you in, she is the reason I started this blog to begin with! In a world that sticks to beige and greys, Anna doesn't shy away from bright/bold interiors. She loves colorful, beachy undertones, and traditional design elements with a hint of "je ne sais quoi". There is a playfulness about her that take her designs to the next level. She experiments with the unexpected, bright neon pinks, pom poms, and pineapples, are sprinkled throughout her interiors. I adore her ability to mix rustic, and traditional, lime greens & Staffordshire dogs with such certainty that it will leave you wondering " Why hadn't I thought of doing that?". She continues to push the boundaries of beach chic, always keeping it fresh and current- this lady is most definitely my superstar of interior design, a true inspiration!! I'm pretty sure I will continue to find reasons to write about her again and again...It's a crush!! ;)

Staffordshire Dogs/ Art/ Garden Stool/ Trellis Wallpaper/  Lumbar Pillow/ Yellow Wicker Chair

Here are some pics of her work:







 






If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about my design services

Always Stay Graceful, L.

Apr 10, 2013

Black & Spiro

As some of you may know, I am a HUGE fan of Anna Spiro. In many ways she is the reason I began Gracefully Searching, as late one night I was browsing the internet and was taken on a journey through her blog. I was completely captivated by her use of colour, her love fun unexpected accessories  and her chic yet simple approach to design. Today she continues to be one of my favorites, she never disappoints, and with the launch of her new (long awaited) website I have yet again been enchanted by all that she does. What a fabulous talent, I look forward to meeting her one day and bringing home beautiful souvenirs from her absolutely beautiful shop! Cheers to Anna & her fabulously fun and elegant interiors! xoxo
Here are a few favorites:







Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Dec 5, 2012

Christmas Cheer


I love out of the box Christmas decor, that is what Anna Spiro is all about. Anna's interiors are all about classic with a twist. Beautiful bones, support bold color, classic touches and add some vintage flair! I love the pineapples, and the tissue paper balls, this space is so fun and inviting. A tissue paper, pom pom tree cascades from the ceiling- there are no rules, just fun! While this space is fun, it is not just for kids, there is a sophistication that has been achieved, also love the color palette!! It would so much fun to come in to work there everyday! LOVE




Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer. 

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Feb 14, 2012

Happy Valentines Day!


I wanted to share this bright and beautiful collection of pillows Anna Spiro posted on her blog. I love all of the colour combinations, what is so great about her is there is always a bit of quirk in her design!

Happy Valentines Day, make sure to let all of the special people in your lives know that you love them!

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Feb 13, 2012

3 Things & Special Times


Lonny Mag- Trays, Containers, and Plenty O' Books...

Hey, hope you all had wonderful weekends,

Mine was really relaxing, and full of yummy food! My computer has been experiencing some problems(which has led me to a near breakdown), but luckily I have been using Blayre's laptop,(not the same, it's like sharing someone else's clothing) it is crazy how bare one feels without their computer(if they depend on it for certain things). I thankfully saved all of my stuff on a hard drive before the incident, so it won't turn out as Carrie Bradshaw's difficult turn of events on SATC...

Anyways I would like to share some design tips, and items that I love to use over and over in my home, here are some things that through the years have never failed to really add to the look of my different abodes...

1. Trays:

I will never stop purchasing beautiful trays. Trays may be used in so many ways, there are also so many different finishes and materials you can find them in. Such as wood, lucite, sterling silver, and many more. You can use a tray to display your jewelry, organize desk top items, create a lovely vignette in you front entrance, keep all of your perfumes looking lovely and feminine. Stack a tray on some coffee table books, place of a bookshelf to create depth, include in a vignette, the options are endless.

2. Books: I am constantly revisiting my books, and referring to them for projects of inspiration. They also serve as a home for other decorative items, and trays to be layered upon. I am always visiting Indigo.ca for great deals and treasures, (I love spending time browsing in the store too, one of my favorites, for decor and great gift finds)they have really amazing online discounts that will literally reduce the prices by %50 or more depending if you are a Plum rewards member- You must check it out!!

Like trays books often serve as a base in my home and when creating a vignette. Tommy Smythe once said " John Manuel was one of my mentors. He told me that every time you get a paycheck, to always buy one book. Today, I have a serious art and design library of over 1,000 titles that I enjoy and cherish in his memory." I think that this is fantastic advice for someone who is looking to add fullness and richness to their space. I have always been a collector and admirer of beautiful coffee table books, and have been lucky enough that through the years my mom gifted me many beautiful and interesting books. Now that I have my own space I can appreciate how wonderful this advice is, especially coming from one of my personal mentors in the design world.

3. Containers:

Whether it be a beautiful decorative box, or candle holder I am always looking for really interesting ways to store things. I love finding vintage decanters, toothpick holders, ornate pickle jars, candle sticks. Items like these can add so much flavour and interest to your home, become a source of inspiration for another project or even hold a beautiful arrangement of flowers. I like when something is really unexpected( not like the cloak Nicki Minaj wore last night) but a really classic piece used in a way that really compliments it, but surprises.

On another note,


Blayre & I present day

This week marks a big milestone for my boyfriend Blayre and I, I can't believe how the time has flown and that tomorrow is Valentines Day. Five years ago Blayre and I started our journey together, we have known each other since I were were ten, but had a chance meeting a few years ago after I returned home from Germany after Au-Pairing, and Blayre returned home from the Navy(have I ever told you that?). We have lived in three different provinces together,started a business together, and welcomed a beautiful sweet puppy a.k.a. Bruce, there are so many amazing things to look forward to, it is just the beginning. I feel extra lucky to have shared 5 incredible years with Blayre, he is my absolute best friend in the world, an incredible human, so wonderful and sweet with Bruce, hysterically funny- he is always making me laugh, he has a great singing voice- really beautiful, I love singing with him, so wonderful with my family(who adore him), he has so much adventure in him, and a passion for life, and last but not least he is so talented. He is a GENIUS cinematographer, each piece he creates is a work of art, my expectation are surpassed with each new project he does, he is always outdoing himself on a professional level. I love you so much Be..... xoxo


Back in the day in Mexico, Me far left, Blayre far right

Our little love Bruce

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Dec 15, 2011

O' Tannenbaum


I love this simple and chic Christmas Tree that Anna Spiro created for her family home. So colorful and pretty- she just grabbed a few of her favorite fabric swatches and tied them into pretty bows!!

Absolutely beautiful!! hehe

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Nov 11, 2010

Anna Spiros Touch


Anna always adds that one special touch to each space- of course I love everything about this, but I especially love these dogs- I have come across some at the St. Lawrence who stare at me each week for $40 CND, they don't have all of the pretty color detail though- I am not sure if I have a place for them, I think maybe I could make room!!

This image comes from the most recent issue of Ivy and Piper btw!

Always Stay Graceful,

L.

May 23, 2010

Apartment Therapy

Hey Everyone, I have been away for the past few days looking for a new apartment in Toronto. Well guess what? We got one!! Yay! I am so excited. In less than a week we are moving in, so we were really cutting it close to the moving date. I was afraid we would run out of time! The apartment is right in the heart of downtown, beautiful views, a rooftop terrace, tennis courts... We really lucked out! here are some of my ideas for the new apartment I can't wait to get started! What is your dream space?


Always Stay Graceful,

L.

Apr 15, 2010

I Love Anna Spiro


Anna Spiro an interior designer from Brisbane, Australia was my initial inspiration to create this blog and she has yet to disappoint me! Here are some of my favorites! Check out her blog it is full of ideas and all things beautiful!








Always Stay Graceful,

L.