ANNA SPIRO
INTERIOR DESIGNER, 39
This acclaimed Brisbane-based designer loves to push boundaries with pattern and print.
Your design style is wonderfully eclectic. Are you drawn to colour and print in your wardrobe as well? Absolutely. My very best friend Sophie Trevethan of Flying Paloma makes a lot of my clothes, in particular the long skirts I wear. We often make them out of hav in beautiful beautiful old furnishing fabrics.i love having bespoke pieces that nobody else has. What’s the secret to mixing pattern and print? Contrast. I think clashing is the key. What inspires you creatively? Difference. I’m inspired by things that are outside the box. I never want to be run-of-the-mill. Also, colour palettes in nature; the beach in particular. Do you dress differently on the weekend? At work I wear my beautiful skirts with plain coloured knit tops and always interesting flat shoes, and I love antique brooches and bangles. I definitely tone things down on the weekend — I tend to wear jeans, Converse and T-shirts. What are you coveting right now? A Blazé Milano blazer in pale pink linen. I adore their blazers with their signature half moon pockets. How do you finish an outfit? I love brooches and bangles and beautiful antique rings. And I collect straw beach hats, mostly Axel Mano, as we go to the beach nearly every weekend. Any favourite online stores? Well, I do love Moda Operandi and Matches Fashion, but I’ve recently come across The Modist. They have fabulous things that are a bit different to the norm so, of course, I love what they are doing! What’s in your beauty cupboard? I use a mix... I love Thalgo and Payot for beauty products, Chanel make-up mixed with YSL lipsticks, and I love rose hip oil. But I do believe beauty is a result of looking after your insides, so I watch what I eat, drink lots of water and have a daily dose of apple cider vinegar. What do you love for your home? The work of UK artist Lucy Augé and the divine scallop raffia lampshades Matilda Goad is making. Also my fellow designer, Adelaide Bragg, has just brought out a new lamp base collection, Bragg and Co, and I can’t wait to use them. What are you working on now? We’ve just designed the new day spa at Halcyon House. It’s an extension of the hotel and will feature a lot of Anna Spiro Textiles. For more information, visit blackandspiro. com.au or annaspirotextiles.com.au