RSS

Ormiston House in Veranda Magazine


























Well, it's turning out to be a big week for us.  We just found out that the Ormiston house has made the front cover of Veranda Magazine in Poland.  I thoroughly enjoyed working with Paul and Hayley on their beautiful home and am overjoyed by this wonderful article.  The morning of the photo shoot I gathered lots of flowers and foliage from my garden at home and arranged them at the house.  My favourite arrangement was the one I did on their dining table in a collection of Hayley's mismatched antique jugs and vases.

Thanks again must go to Catherine Shields and Simon Kenny for their continued interest in my work and their beautiful coverage of these lovely family homes I have had the pleasure of working in.

If you would like to see more images of Paul & Hayley's house head over to Content's website HERE...

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

2011 Oscar Predictions!


The 83rd Academy Awards begin tonight at 8pm ET on ABC -- and will honor the best in film for 2010. Having seen all the movies in the top categories and all the nominated performances, I offer up my predictions with some level of confidence.

Like I said last year, I'd love to be right -- but I also love to be surprised. The most memorable Oscar shows have always been the ones with some upsets. With that said, here are my predictions (in purple)...

2/28 update -- winners in red


Best Picture

Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids are All Right
The King's Speech - winner
The Social Network
127 Hours
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter's Bone

For the second year in a row, we have a staggering 10 best picture noms -- after 5 was the norm for decades. But even with the added films, the race is down to just two -- The King's Speech and The Social Network. The latter was the early favorite, but was released in October -- losing steam as the awards season kicked into high gear. So, watch for the very worthy The King's Speech to take the top prize. The Oscar voters skew older, so the WWII-timed story should strike a chord more than the one about the relatively new Facebook creation. Meanwhile, my favorite movie of 2010, Toy Story 3, will have to settle for the best animated feature award (see below).


Best Director

Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
David O. Russell (The Fighter)
Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)
- winner
David Fincher (The Social Network)
Joel and Ethan Coen (True Grit)


This race is down to the same two movies -- and it's even a tighter race. Second-time nominee Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) may squeak out a win over relative newcomer Hooper -- even though the latter took the Directors Guild prize. But again, some years a sweep occurs -- so don't be surprised if Hooper walks home with trophy. Either way, both men are very deserving.


Best Actor

Javier Bardem (Biutiful)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
- winner
James Franco (127 Hours)
Jeff Bridges (True Grit)


Bridges (Crazy Heart) beat Firth (A Single Man) in the same category last year, so it's time for Firth to get his sweet revenge. No contest this year. Firth turned in a great performance as the stuttering British monarch in The King's Speech -- and will hold that trophy high late in the evening.


Best Actress

Annette Bening (The Kids are All Right)
Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone)
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
- winner
Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)


This race is closer than you think. The Black Swan's Portman has received most of the attention for her harrowing turn as a ballerina suffering from a mental collapse. But Bening was amazing in her role as a lesbian mother trying to keep her family together. When I left the theater after seeing The Kids Are All Right, I turned to my friend and said, "I forgot how great an actress Bening is!" She's come close to winning this award before -- so the Academy may honor her here. But I think Portman still maintains the edge.


Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale (The Fighter) - winner
John Hawkes (Winter's Bone)
Jeremy Renner (The Town)
Mark Ruffalo (The Kids are All Right)
Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)


Bale totally transformed himself to play a crack-addicted former boxing hero in The Fighter -- a truly mesmerizing performance. He should win over Rush who was excellent as the speech therapist in The King's Speech. Once again, though -- a strong tide for The King's Speech could reverse the results.


Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams (The Fighter)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech)
Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
- winner
Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)


Much talk has been made that Leo has turned off voters with her shameless self-campaigning. Others suggest that she and Fighter co-star Adams will split the vote. But I still think she'll ride the wave of her previous wins at the other award shows and capture the Oscar. It will be a well-deserved win for her excellent portrayal of a head-strong mother. But this category is notorious for being the one with the most surprises on the big night. So, don't be shocked if 14-year-old newcomer Steinfeld wins for her gritty performance in True Grit.


Best Original Screenplay


Another Year (Mike Leigh)
The Fighter (Paul Attanasio, Lewis Colich, Eric Johnson, Scott Silverand Paul Tamasy)
Inception (Christopher Nolan)
The Kids are All Right (Stuart Blumberg and Lisa Cholodenko)
The King's Speech (David Seidler)
- winner

Look for The King's Speech to add to its trophy case here. It's a great historical story intertwined with one of true friendship -- the type of uplifting film that the Academy loves. I thought the writing in Another Year was equally exceptional -- but Inception is the dark horse with its truly unique story.


Best Adapted Screenplay

127 Hours (Simon Beaufoy and Danny Boyle)
The Social Network (Aaron Sorkin)
- winner
Toy Story 3 (Michael Arndt, story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich)
True Grit (Joel Coen and Ethan Coen)
Winter's Bone (Debra Granik and Anne Rossellini)


Famed TV writer Sorkin (The West Wing) stepped up his game for the intriguing Social Network -- and the film's win here will be a nice consolation prize for losing in the Best Picture category. How could the Academy pass on such brilliant, quickfire dialogue? I must say that is a shame that the absorbing 127 Hours will be shutout in the main categories tonight.


Best Animated Feature


How to Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist
Toy Story 3
- winner

No contest here. How to Train Your Dragon was good, not great. And The Illusionist was beautiful to look at, but a bit short on story. With its equally great story and top-notch animation, Toy Story 3 was my favorite movie of the year -- and those geniuses at Pixar/Disney will deservedly win here.



Notes:
  • A complete list of the 83rd Academy Award nominations can be found here. -- winners list updated at same link!
  • My reviews of the Oscar-nominated films can be found here and at the Film Reviews icon at left.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Gumdale House in AWW







Back in 2007, I was very excited when Sharnel & Perry Dollar asked me to help them with the interior of their new family home.  The latest issue of Australian Womans Weekly magazine features their alluring home.  It was lovely to look at the images and remember all the work which went into making it the special place that it is today.

Sharnel was a wonderful client to work with as she was very open to everything I suggested and recommended.  Catherine Shields & Simon Kenny's story certainly captures the ambience of the Dollar's beautiful family home.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Oscar Catch-up and Final Reviews


If you're a movie lover like me, then this is a big weekend with tomorrow night's 83rd Annual Academy Awards (8pm ET/5pm ET on ABC). My predictions in leading categories will be posted here by tomorrow morning.

Every year, I have a goal to see all the Oscar-nominated films and performances before the Academy Awards telecast. And more recently, I have expanded that goal to include all the following:

  • 10 best picture nominees
  • 3 best animated feature film nominees
  • 5 best director nominees
  • 5 best original screenplay nominees
  • 5 best adapted screenplay nominees
  • 5 best actor nominees
  • 5 best actress nominees
  • 5 best supporting actor nominees
  • 5 best supporting actress nominees

When the nominations were made last month, I only needed to see these seven films to achieve my expanded goal:
  • Animal Kingdom - best supporting actress Jacki Weaver
  • Another Year - best original screenplay
  • Biutiful - best actor Javier Bardem -- and also best foreign film
  • Blue Valentine - best actress Michelle Williams
  • The Fighter - best picture, 3 best acting nods, best director, etc.
  • The Illusionist - best animated film
  • The King’s Speech - best picture, 3 best acting nods, best director, etc.

Well, I completed my goal last Sunday -- with a week to spare! Here are my quick reviews of these seven -- and three more films I saw that garnered some nominations (but that I hadn't previously reviewed). All other reviews for films nominated in these key categories can be found by clicking on the FILM REVIEWS archive icon at left.


Animal Kingdom


A crime family unravels in this Australian film that I found a bit too slow. Jacki Weaver is fine as the matriarch, but her nomination wrongly excluded some more worthy candidates (e.g., Mila Kunis in Black Swan). The main focus is centered around the matriarch's teenage grandson played by James Frecheville. The lead's performance is too wooden to be absorbing. Enough twists occur to hold your interest, but this was my least favorite of the bunch -- and I cannot recommend. Grade = C+


Another Year

There is something magical about director/writer Michael Leigh's movies. You feel like a fly on a wall watching real-life human interactions -- rather than actors on the screen. A married couple who have remained happy into their autumn years are surrounded over the course of the four seasons by family and friends who all suffer some degree of unhappiness. The movie has a great message about taking responsibility for your own life and your own happiness. Terrific performances by Lesley Manville, Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen -- all who were robbed of nominations.
Grade = A-



Biutiful


Javier Bardem turns in another amazing performance in this Mexican film set in Barcelona, Spain. Bardem is a street criminal with two children, a bipolar estranged wife, a guilty conscience and a terminal disease. This film is dark, gritty and most of all, depressing. But Bardem's performance is unforgettable. Grade = B+


Blue Valentine

Michelle Williams earned her second nomination as half of a young couple in a dissolving marriage. And Ryan Gosling was robbed of a nomination for playing Williams' husband. The movie escapes being a total downer by interspersing scenes of their meeting and courtship. Excellent performances in a raw drama. Grade = A-


The Fighter

Talk about excellent performances -- this movie is filled with them. It's about two brother boxers in a dysfunctional family. One whose career has passed (Christian Bale) and one who is out to make a name for himself (Mark Wahlberg). Melissa Leo plays the matriarch and Amy Adams plays Wahlberg's girlfriend -- and both prove once again why they are two of our top actresses (competing against each other for supporting actress this year). Oscar-nominee Bale is nearly unrecognizable as the drugged-out former star. Great story, great direction, great performances. Grade: A-


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1


Included here because of its visual effects and art direction nominations. But the magic of this first half of the series conclusion goes well beyond technical recognition. This time around, the story really concentrates on the three young wizard leads -- and boy, have they've grown into these roles. The captivating story and visuals combine to make this the best film in the series to date. Grade = A-


How to Train Your Dragon


Nominated for best animated feature, the film has no chance against the far-superior Toy Story 3. But it's still a fun film in its own right -- about a young teenager earning validation in a mythical Viking world. The animation is top-notch and the voice acting of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, T.J. Miller and Kristen Wiig are well cast. Grade = B


The Illusionist

Also nominated for best animated feature is this French film. Every scene is like watching an artist's masterpiece painting. The beautiful visuals help carry a sometimes slow and simple story about an aging magician who befriends an adoring young woman. Amazingly, there is hardly any dialogue -- but ultimately, you'll still find deep meaning in what is conveyed. Grade = B+


The King's Speech


If you're a lover of history, I cannot recommend this British movie enough. Colin Firth plays King George VI (father of current monarch Queen Elizabeth II), who works to overcome his stutter with the help of Lionel Logue, an unorthodox speech therapist played by Geoffrey Rush. The two men become friends as they work together, and after his brother abdicates the throne, the new king relies on Logue to help him make a crucial radio broadcast at the beginning of World War II. Firth, Rush and Helena Bonham Carter (as George's wife -- who we all knew later as the Queen Mum) are at the top of their game. This beautiful film is more than just a history lesson though -- it's a rewarding exploration of true friendship. Grade = A-


Winter's Bone

Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence is a revelation as a teenager trying to keep her family together in a dirt poor Ozarks town -- while her mother remains in a catatonic state and her father is missing. It's one of those movies that will make you glad you have the life you live -- because there's always someone out there that has it worse off than you. Also earned nominations for best picture, best adapted screenplay and best supporting acting (John Hawkes). Depressing, but uplifting just the same. Grade = B


There you have it -- my final film reviews (more on that big news later). And a reminder to check back tomorrow morning for my predictions.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

As Summer Fades...




As Summer draws to an end here in Australia we are heading away down to the beach for a few days to enjoy what remains of this warm balmy weather.  I hope you have a great weekend wherever you are, whatever you do...

xx
Anna

PS - My heart goes out to all of those in Christchurch who have been affected by the terrible earthquake.  What is happenning in this world of ours?xx

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

NY Cushions



For a bit of fun we picked up some I love NY tote bags when we were in NYC a few weeks ago to make into cushions for the shop.  We selected a few different fabrics to put onto the backs of them.  We only have 3 left...we should have bought more!

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Apple Tea Cake



Whilst I'm not a wonderful cook like others in my family, I don't mind cooking a lovely old fashioned cake every now and then.  One of my favourite cakes to cook is actually a lemon and coconut cake which is an old Woman's Weekly recipe.  However, I think my family may be a little bit 'over' my lemon cake so tonight I went in search of something new to cook.  I didn't have to search very far as I found a recipe I am going to try in the latest Real Living magazine.  My family and I are all heading away down to my cousin's beach house this weekend so I might just try my hand at this recipe tomorrow night.  I figure that if I post about it then maybe I will actually do it!!


PS.  Thank you all so much for the super kind comments you left me in my last post about my grandmother...Considering your interest in her, I might post more about her in the future.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

I Love Her



This is my grandmother.  Her name is Ellie and this is what she was wearing when she came to visit me today at Black & Spiro.  She is one of the most stylish women I have ever met and I am so proud to call her my grandmother.  She has done so much for me in my life and I love her so much.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Black & Spiro Today











Today we changed our front window display.  It was a little overdue I must admit.  The fresh blue, white, pink and yellow in the windows is nice for a change.  Our Max range of furniture is now available in a console table which we have placed into this display in yellow.  The nice thing about this furniture we are making is that it can be made in any colour and it only takes a few weeks to have it manufactured and delivered.

Isn't it hot today!!  I can't wait to go for a swim when I get home this afternoon...

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Friday Flowers



I took this photo at Dean & Deluca in New York a few weeks ago and thought it would be perfect to post today for Friday Flowers.  I just can't get New York out of my mind.  I think I am going to have return sooner rather than later...

Happy Weekend.  See you next week.

xx
Anna

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

What is James Wearing













I have been checking out James Andrew's blog - What is James Wearing for a couple of years now, on and off {it's quite funny seeing his poses} so I was excited to see his apartment featured on New York Social Diary recently.  I love his bedroom {particularly the navy and white ikat covered armchair} and look inside his wardrobe...so many beautiful jackets and all so neatly lined up.  To see more pictures {including his shoe collection} and to read more about James head over to the NYSD HERE...

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Brown Packages




The bounty of goods we purchased in New York has started to arrive.  Today we received our first deliveries.  One of the things we opened was the wonderful HUGE vintage one-off Chanel poster we purchased along with some colourful fabrics.  I was suprised to see these things arriving so quickly.  I am looking forward to the next delivery of special things we went to the other side of the earth to find for our clients and customers.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Comfortably Cluttered







This morning I received my digital copy of the latest Canadian House & Home magazine.  I did my usual quick flip through and then happened upon this article with the title - Comfortably Cluttered.  I liked the sound of it.  When I read articles about people who live their lives without clutter and are neat and tidy I feel like I am such a mess but I'm not a mess.  I feel most comfortable when I am surrounded by the things I love.  This afternoon I took a photo of the pile of fabrics and trimming sitting on my desk here at work which I am currently working on   {bottom image above},  That's how it is for me and I don't think I will ever change...I am comfortably cluttered!!

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

MusicMonday: Valentine's Day Edition



Amazon.com Credit

Just a reminder -- the FREE $2 mp3 credit from Amazon.com expires at 11:59 pm PT tonight! Steps to redeem:

  • Click here or the image at right
  • On the right-hand side call-out box, click "Redeem a gift card or promotion code"
  • Enter coupon code VDAYMP3S

You can buy individual songs (starting at 99 cents) or apply the credit toward full albums. Some album selections you may want to consider:
  • Songs For Swingin' Lovers! by Frank Sinatra is on sale today for only $3.99 -- click here to sample or purchase. It is Valentine's Day after all!
  • There are 100 albums for sale at $5 each here -- including last night's Grammy winner for best album, The Suburbs by Arcade Fire. Also included are other Grammy favorites Recovery by Eminem and Need You Now by Lady Antebellum.
  • 50 past Grammy-winning albums are also on sale for $5 each here.


Free Downloads
  • Is classical music your thing? Then download The 50 Most Essential Romantic Masterpieces here.
  • Or maybe you prefer jazz? Download Carol Welsman's "Be My Valentine" here.
  • Finally, Lady Gaga's new album Born this Way comes out May 23. If you're thinking of buying it, maybe you should consider Target's Deluxe Edition version which includes exclusive bonus tracks. And if you pre-order it by February 26, you can download the title track for free now. Details here.


Want more free downloads? Well, don't forget to continually check the following sources -- new songs covering all genres are added frequently. Just click on the links below and enjoy some new tunes.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Today


Today I received pretty pink and orange flowers for Valentines Day from my husband which I arranged in a vintage blue and white willow patterned teapot.




Today I obsessed over this fabric and contemplated it for a new project.




Today I cooked Spaghetti for dinner.




Today I did a guest post on my brother's new blog HERE...


  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

\

Grow old with me, the best is yet to be.

 {Robert Browning}

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Top 10 at the Weekend Box Office


Notes:

  • The race for the top spot at the weekend box office is so close -- it can't officially be called til Monday. According to estimates, Sony's Just Go With It opened to an estimated $31 million from 3,548 theaters. The poor reviews for the Jennifer Aniston/Adam Sandler comedy didn't keep audiences away -- as early Valentine's Day celebrators were looking for a rom-com. If the film hangs on to the top spot, the film will be the 11th Sandler film to open at #1 domestically.
  • Just behind, Paramount's Justin Bieber: Never Say Never far outpaced expectations in grossing an estimated $30.3 million from 3,105 locations, including 2,156 higher-priced 3D runs.
  • Never Say Never's cume is now $31 million when adding in the $740,000 grossed from special screenings last Wednesday.
  • In third place, Disney's 3D family entry Gnomeo & Juliet did strong business in debuting to an estimated $25.5 million -- the best February opening ever for an animated pic.
  • Focus Features' Roman epic The Eagle, the weekend's fourth new wide opener, came in on the high end of expectations. At #4, the Channing Tatum-starrer grossed an estimated $8.6 million.
  • Although it looks to be the best weekend so far in 2011, the domestic box office still couldn't catch up with last year, partly because Valentine's Day fell on a Sunday in 2010. Revenues were down more than 25%.
  • All figures are industry estimates. Final weekend figures will be released on Monday.
  • Reviews of True Grit and other movies not in the top 10 can be found by clicking on the Film Reviews archive icon at left.
  • Sources: Hollywood.com, Hollywood Reporter

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

For Bebe








Look at these darling little handmade elephants by Fern & Feather.  I'm always on the lookout for beautiful baby gifts.  With two friends having babies soon I think I might just have to order one in but it's so hard to choose which one!  Click HERE to see the current selection available.


  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Friday Flowers



It was lovely to return home earlier this week and walk in the door to see fresh flowers from my garden arranged in a vase on our entry chest of drawers.  They all know how much I love my flowers.  It's nice the week has ended.  I'm looking forward to a lazy weekend at home with the boys. 

See you next week.
x
Anna

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Pink Issue



I picked up the latest House Beautiful just before I left New York earlier this week.  It's such a great issue and full of pink inspiration which was lovely.  It seems pink is the new black although it's always been my favourite colour.  I don't really like it when something I love becomes a trend...it's kind of annoying in a way.



I particularly loved this room which was decorated by Ellen O'Neil.  The divine sofas have been slip covered using vintage faded red and white striped fabric.  It's such a great lived-in looking room.  I could move right in.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Have You Met Peggy?


Peggy is our new family member at Black & Spiro.  I designed her with space and comfort in mind.  We have had increasing requests over the past few years for sofas which are a little more compact for apartments and small space living so I decided to create this sofa which is compact yet extremely comfortable.  Thanks to the Ivy & Piper girls for featuring her in their mag this month

PS.  She looks even better when scattered with lots of our mismatched Black & Spiro cushions.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Memories of NYC




These chairs were for sale at one of the flea markets we attended...we spotted John Derian buying at this very same market.


Bits and pieces collected on my bedside table.


 Fresh flowers at The Crosby Street.





I loved this little artwork near the lifts at The Crosby...the fluoro{or neon as the Americans call it} Lucite frame was very cool...you know how much I love fluoro!


The beauty of The Crosby {above and below}.






Just a little sneak peek at some of the lovely textiles we purchased for Black & Spiro {above}.


The Matchbook launch party {this photo {from Coach's photostream} is like Where's Wally...can you spot my head...a hint...black, lower right corner}




I'll stop boring you about NYC after this post, I promise.  If you ever visit New York I highly recommend staying at The Crosby Street Hotel in Soho which is owned and was decorated by Kit Kemp.  I have loved her work for quite some time.  A couple of years ago I stayed at her Haymarket Hotel in London and both hotels are divine.  They tick all the boxes for me.  Nothing is spared.  Every detail is thought through and delivered with perfection.  Also a huge thanks to Georgie for making our stay so wonderful!

After such a whirlwind week it was so comforting to see my 3 boys at the airport when I arrived home...there's no place like home.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Followers

Get Paid To Promote, Get Paid To Popup, Get Paid Display Banner

Environment Powered by Mysiterank
Preview on Feedage: lily-putts Add to My Yahoo! Add to Google! Add to AOL! Add to MSN
Subscribe in NewsGator Online Add to Netvibes Subscribe in Pakeflakes Subscribe in Bloglines Add to Alesti RSS Reader
Add to Feedage.com Groups Add to Windows Live iPing-it Add to Feedage RSS Alerts Add To Fwicki
Feedage Grade A rated Dr.5z5 Open Feed Directory Subscribe My Feed