Flower People

Want to see more and learn more about artist Harrison Howard? Head on over to Peak of Chic as she has the full scoop. I absolutely LOVE his work and am finding it a little hard to select a favourite!! Thanks for the introduction POC! BTW - Harrison's work is available for purchase on his website.

All For The Kids

The orange carpet was all a buzz this past weekend as the stars turned out for Nickelodeon's Annual Kids Choice Awards Saturday night. Miley Cyrus showed up with her peace sign in tow, Rihanna and Chris Brown once again denied that they are actually a couple and Cameron Diaz fit right in with the young crowd. Hosted by Jack Black and his many a green outfit, the most coveted prize of the night, the honor of getting slimed, went to Indiana Jones himself, Harrison Ford, as well as Pirates star Orlando Bloom.

America Ferrera shimmers in gold

Cameron Diaz was honored with the Wannabe Award (even better to her than winning the Big Burp Award the previous year)

Heroes star Hayden Panettiere is just that, a hero to her many young fans

Rihanna successfully pulling of yet another amazing outfit, look at those shoes, the hair!

Teen heartthrobs the Jo Bros give their fans something to swoon over

Miley Cyrus flashes the peace sign before rocking out to one of her hit songs later in the evening

A Pretty Garden Party

This is so beautiful I couldn't resist posting it. I originally found the image on Brilliant Asylum who originally found it on Decor Amor - as BA said it looks like it's been torn out, folded and put away for safe keeping and was most probably from a 10 year old Martha Stewart mag! Love the old bentwood chairs (aren't they such a classic piece) and the tree is simply divine lit up so beautifully with hanging candle jars!

Today I Love...

I love this little mirrored stool covered in Imperial Trellis from C. Bell - wouldn't it be beautiful used as a dressing table stool!

Happy Weekend!!

Another week has passed us by so quickly. I have been working on a big installation this week at an inner city apartment which we have been completely refurbishing. I must say I am completely exhausted as are all the girls at Black & Spiro as they have all been working so hard with me to get everything done. We still have a lot more to finish off over the coming weeks and I am every excited about getting it finished. I hope you all have a lovely weekend and to Av, Mel & Sal I hope you have a lovely and RESTFUL weekend because you all deserve it!! Happy Weekend to all!!

Image via Monique B's photostream @ Flickr

A Pretty Little Cottage

I love this gorgeous little White timber cottage which has just gone on the market around the corner from where I live. Every time I go to the supermarket I drive past this house and I have always loved it and then just last week I drove past it and there was a for sale sign out the front of it. Unfortunately this house will have to be someone else's as we just bought our house late last year and we are about to embark on a large renovation and I know it is going to be beautiful but I love this house too! My poor husband married me knowing I had an obsession with pretty houses and I think he almost has a heart attack whenever I call him saying "Oh Honey, you know that pretty house which I have loved forever and ever it's just gone on the market......etc. etc. etc." Does anyone else out there have an obsession with pretty houses and searching on realestate.com because let me tell you I almost think I have a severe problem!!!

The Hills Recap

So the hour long season premiere of the Hills on Monday left me with both a bad taste and a good taste in my mouth.

1. Mariah Carey claimed that she absolutely loves watching the Hills but I refuse to believe that she's ever even seen an episode until that night.

2. Whitney and Lauren: How DARE you not know how to pronounce "Givenchy" and you're in fashion and there's a camera in your face!

3. Once the paparazzi is caught taking pics of reality stars while the reality show is being taped, its time for a series finale. Lauren's no longer a reality star she's just a celeb.(Did anyone else catch the pap-snap as the girls were leaving Colette?)


4. Mistakes of an intern (cuz nothing that they did would go down in the "Real" world!)

A. NEVER put going to pick up your dress before getting the job done!

B. NEVER stitch a designer LOAN gown and then go to a club with it on. I gagged when I saw her preparing to do this!

C. NEVER put you beauty supplies next to your designer LOAN gown. That was actually hilarious because Whitney didn't seem to care at first.

D. So now Lauren the man gives you a loan and you hop on a Vespa?? Yeah...NEVER!!! Just NEVER!!!

5. Spencer looked like he gained the marital weight before the wedding even went down!

6.What a dream to meet a semi-hot French rock-star and take mini-tours around Paris!!?? Loved the Eiffel Tower scene

7. Seemed like Lauren got to be more hands on than Whitney but I'm super happy that Whitney is finally finding her way!


8. Kimball...I love you!

9. I'm starting to feel some kind of way about Audrina because why would you make an international call just to tell your friend that the man she likes is showing off his new girlfriend?

10. Heidi's Stepdad to Spencer : "What the heck?!!!" Spencer to the Stepdad: "Yeah I'm a complete loser and it would be a much better moment if you just hit me with that shovel."

Clearly I made that up cuz Spencer's an idiot for going all the way to CO but I love Heidi for making him feel like an idiot at the dinner table with the folks!)

All in all an awesome premiere and can't wait 'til next week! The Heidi drama-train has just left the station!!

- Crystal Hines

And Talking Of Windsor...

Windsor Smith's Kitchen

And while I'm on the subject of Windsor Smith I just have to post these updated images (thanks to Style Court) of my favourite kitchen in the whole wide world which Windsor designed for her own home....I know I've posted it before but it's like Chloe Sevigny's hallway...both are are in my all time top 10 favourite rooms file and whenever I see these pictures I sigh and look for ages and ages and ages and ages!! I don't think I will ever tire of seeing these rooms!!

BTW - for my Australian readers if you are interested we stock those beautiful white reproduction Chippendale chairs which Windsor has used in her kitchen above at Black & Spiro and we also sell the KW wallpaper as seen in Chloe's hallway below at Black & Spiro too!!

Chloe Sevigny's Hallway

Image 1 courtesy of Style Court, Image 2 via Windsor Smith, Image 3 via House & Garden

Mismatched Style

Peter Dunham images courtesy of Domino Magazine

The thing I really like about this room by U.S. Interior Designer Peter Dunham is that it is mismatched and looks lived in and even though he has used collections of things some people wouldn't dream of putting together it works and it creates a sense of personal style. Don't get me wrong there are some things in this room that I personally would never have in my own room but that's the point and that's what mismatched style is all about. Bringing together interesting fabrics, textures, furniture styles and accessories in one area or one room is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful and clever Interior Decorating styles. Anyone can pull together a range of plain linens and matching furniture pieces and in the right place I believe this look can be very stylish. However, bringing personality into a room and most importantly finding your client's personality and being able to create a room for your client which exudes their personal style is what only a very good Interior Designer/Decorator can do. What are your thoughts? What Interior Decorating style do you like? Who is your favourite Interior Designer/Decorator?

Windsor Smith Image Courtesy of Style Court

Another U.S. Designer who does this look so well is Windsor Smith as visable in the lounge room she created in her own home in the above image.

Jamie Lynn Sporting A Rock?

Jamie Lynn Spears has a new accessory to go with her growing baby bump.

She's reportedly engaged!

A source close to the family told PEOPLE that she has been showing off her flashy piece of jewelry to family and friends around Louisiana and Mississippi. "She's got an engagement ring, " the source said. "She's been showing it off, talking about it."

Her fiance is...you guessed right, 18-year-old Casey Aldridge. The two are expecting a baby sometime this summer.

- Erin Dustin

Interior Paintings By Janet Hill

Thank you for all of the lovely emails I received over the Easter weekend! It was so lovely to hear from each and every one of you. One of the emails I received was from talented artist Janet Hill asking me to have a look at her paintings on her blog The Evening Picture. I was delighted when I looked through Janet's blog to discover her beautiful interior paintings. Here are a few of my favourites...all sold but I'll definitely be keeping an eye on Janet's work as she posts it on her blog and at her Etsy shop.

A Weekend In The Life Of Pamela Anderson

"I read the news today..."

Pamela Anderson and Rick Salomon's marriage was annulled today due to fraud (they both checked the box). Anderson filed for divorce last December after only two months of marriage.

"...oh boy."

But Salomon wasn't the only ex she was dealing with this past weekend.

On a much happier note, Anderson spent Easter Sunday with Tommy Lee, the father of her two children, in Malibu.

The family spent the day at the movies and eating lunch at Geoffrey's.

- Erin Dustin

It's Finally Here!

The Hills tonight! Let the drama begin : )

4 hours, 17 minutes, 30 seconds and counting...

Here's a preview of what's to come this season for those who can't wait, especially the non-East Coast folk who have to wait a little longer...



- Erin Dustin

Brad and Angie for President.

The happy couple should get the award for the most Philanthropic couple...ever.

People.com reported that the couple donated $8 million throughout 2006 to charities like Doctors Without Borders , the Global AIDS Alliance, the Namibia Red Cross Action Program , the Daniel Pearl Foundation, and their own foundations; the Make It Right Foundation and the Jolie Pitt Foundation.

I'm sure the monetary value of how much this couple gives and spends is much more than this. With the 100 kids the have running around plus the triplets they have on the way..$8 mil is just the tip of the iceberg. (Major exaggeration!)

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- Crystal Hines

J.LO + Max + Emme = Picture Perfect

People Mag got the first interview with new mom J.Lo and her babes Max and Emme and let me tell you what...Max there definitely looks like daddy Marc Anthony.

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Happy Easter

A very cute Easter painting by Liza Hirst called "Leftovers From Easter". Wow - I can't imagine there being any leftovers from Easter in our house!! I hope you all have a lovely Easter break. I'll be back posting next Tuesday. Bye for now...

Inspiration Collage

And just in case you thought I'd lost my love for pink after last week's collage - here is this week's Pink/White/Charcoal Inspiration Collage.

Photos from top (left to right) - 1 - Room by Tom Scheerer, 2 - Fabric from Purl Soho, 3 - Creed Perfume, 4 - Fabric from Black & Spiro, 5 - Note cards by Alicia Paulson, 6 - India Hicks via Style court, 7 - My Bedroom, 8 - Grandiflora by Saskia Havekes, 9 - Flickr, 10 - Fabric from Purl Soho, 11 - Chanel Ballet Flats, 12 - Aman Resorts, 13 - Skull & Crossbone Note cards from Vivre, 14 - Hermes Blanket - 15 - Fabric from Purl Soho, 16 - Black & Spiro Display

Coastal Style

Another wonderful book to add to the wish list which we now have in at Black & Spiro is Coastal Style. The book features lots of beautiful beach house pictures and also a few pictures of India Hicks' Harbour Island house.

Black & Spiro Today

Here is a picture of a small display at the back of our showroom at Black & Spiro which I took today. The blue mother of pearl inlay chest just arrived in store yesterday!

Special Words

Last year for my 30th Birthday my friend Annie gave me this card which struck a cord with me. I kept the card and recently had it framed to hang in a cluster of other pieces in my office which we are currently redecorating. I think this is a wonderful way to remember a card someone special has given you.

Portraits - A Book To Covet!

A special edition (hard cover) book to add to my wish list - Portraits de la Renaissance by Nathalie Mandel (an Assouline book).

A Vignette @ Home

Here is a little vignette I recently put together at home comprising of a small Nick Olsen painting, some old turquoise vases, a little hand painted Indian box and one of a set of 3 little birds which one of my lovely clients gave me for Christmas last year. Special little things continue to brighten my day when I look at them arranged in vignettes around the house.

So Pretty!!

Talented Artist Anne Harwell recently posted about Liza Hirst's pieces of art. I absolutely LOVED this one (top image). I also LOVED seeing the circa 1950's portrait of Anne Harwell's grandmother Lulu Harwell which she has teamed up with one of her gorgeous chair paintings as above. Wouldn't it be lovely to have a portrait of your very own grandmother!

Find Of The Week

A rare 19th Century French Oak small Butterfly shaped table from Miguel Meirelles - this is my find for this week! Wouldn't it be adorable as a bedside table in a little girl's bedroom!!

Rubie Green

I'm so excited about receiving some fabrics which I have ordered for Black & Spiro from M.A. Belle's new business Rubie Green. I just received an email today letting me know that the fabrics are ready to be shipped. I'll post pictures of what we do with the fabrics once we have them in store. For those of you who don't already know Rubie Green's yellow & white trellis fabric was featured in cushions on the front cover of the last Domino Magazine - what a way to start up business being featured on the front cover of Domino!! Congrats Michelle!!

Britney's TV Gig

First slightly-secretive weekend meetings with Mel Gibson and now an acting gig over at CBS.

Britney has been very busy lately, but in a good way I suppose.

PEOPLE has just released the first video promo of Brit in action where she plays a receptionist at a dermatologist's office in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Shown opposite Neil Patrick Harris in the clip, her first words are, well why don't you just see for yourself...

The 11 second clip

The episode will air March 24.

- Erin Dustin

And her name is....

Nahla Ariela Aubry

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-ch

Eva loves Calvin Klein Undies!!!

Eva Mendes is said to be the new face of Calvin Klein Underwear…according to WWD

She volunteered herself into rehab to deal with substance abuse and personal issues. It's been the trend that celebs go to rehab and come out with several new deals. Well the Calvin Klein deal was in the works long before Eva went to rehab. She's also going to be the spokesperson for a TBD Calvin Klein fragrance.

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- Crystal Hines