Wednesday 25 May 2011

Second Choice



The floral patterned fabric above wasn't my first choice colourway for the curtains in our bedroom at home.  My first choice was the lavender colourway.  However, like so many fabrics we have ordered over the past 12-18 months it was out of stock and not available.  Has this been a problem for other decorators out there too?  With only a few weeks to go before Christmas last year I made a very rushed decision and went for the green colourway instead.  I must admit when they first went in I had regrets because I am not usually a huge green lover.  However, they have grown on me and now I absolutely love them.  Has anything like this ever happened to you?  I'd love to hear your stories!!!

xx
Anna

image 1 - anna spiro bedroom photographed by elouise van riet-gray

30 comments:

Susan said...

Hello Anna...The drapes are quite pretty, I think. Like you, I adore color. By the way, thought your rainbow cake was fabulous! I wonder where one buys "gel" coloring? Perhaps it's best to order it online? Hmmmmm. Will have to explore.

I used to thoroughly dislike blue. Then, we painted our kitchen a very light buttery yellow. Blue and white dishes then became a decorating point. Now, I have LOTS of blue and white against the light yellow and it's quite heavenly. Now, I LOVE blue!

Take care and have a wonderful Wednesday! Susan

pve design said...

Yes it does and it feels so often like fate intervened.
I love the green colorway! (the lavendar would happen to me)
pve

Heidi said...

Yes, I've had the same problem with a few decorating jobs that I've done in the past year. In particular with Brunschwig & Fils, so it was no surprise when they suddenly closed down (and it was very sudden....). An order there took 8 months to finally arrive. I've also from other suppliers had bolt cuttings from bolts that didn't seem to then exist when the order was placed, and fabric "in stock" that then took 6 weeks as it was being made. It's made for some difficult discussions with clients. I think the GFC has had an impact on the operations of many of the fabric houses.

Anna Spiro said...

Hi Heidi, We too have been very affected by the B&F dramas!! It has been a very frustrating time. We now check stock of all fabrics BEFORE we put them into a scheme and before we show the client! This system seems to be working quite well! It certainly has kept us on our toes!!! The GFC really has had an impact, I agree!!

Anna
xx

Beau lifestyle said...

Hi Anna,
Sometimes ´ment to be´ works in strange ways.
Love what you are doing.
xxx Chantal from www.beaulifestyle.blogspot.com

Anna Spiro said...

Hi Susan, my friend leant me her gel colours. I will try to find out where she got them from.

xx
Anna

Will @ Bright.Bazaar said...

Even though it was your second choice, I do really like it, Anna! The orange and pink go wonderfully together. xx

Mise said...

I would have looked at that green curtain fabric and though it was not possible to make it work in a fresh and sophisticated way, but you most certainly have done just that.

Gabrielle Lemoine said...

The green is surprising and interesting. Sometimes the things that you don't love right away are those that you end up enjoying the most, and for the longest. Complexity makes for a good relationship, even with fabric!

xx
http://thevintagecampus.blogspot.com/

MB said...

I love when I 'stumble' across a decorative suprise! The curtains look beautiful! Well done!

nancy {COZAMIA} said...

So pretty, I actually love the green and that art!!

nancy {COZAMIA} said...

I actually really like the green too AND that art print! this is soo my kinda room :)

Kelly Green said...

Anna, the curtains looks beautiful - sometimes the best choice are made 'by default'. i am currently waiting for fabric for curtains for a client's nursery........they are due "any day " as I am told daily when I ring and she has 4 weeks 'tll the baby arrives! Getting slightly anxious! KG x

Cultural Histories - Ideology and the Other said...

Love the green - very fresh. I think it's good to take risks and do something different. I like your personal stamp on things. I get tired of looking at the same 'ol trends in magazines these days.

Lloyd Hodgkinson said...

Hi Anna,
Thought it was about time that I introduced myself as I have been reading your blog for almost 3 years now! I work at John Croft (I actually went to school with your brother Sam too...) and this exact same thing only happened to me yesterday. Perfect DG fabric that I selected. Client loves it. I love it. Get a phone call yesterday - discontinued!! I'm not game to call the client yet as I haven't found a solution! Anyway, just thought I'd let you know how much I love reading your blog - although sometimes I think I must be the only 24 year old male who reads it!

Lloyd xo

Treadgold said...

I have had the same issues with a few pieces of furniture we have acquired from relatives - while beautiful antiques the original green upholstery didn't appeal. However it seems to perfectly suit much of our artwork and other furnishings now and guests always comment on how eveything seems to fit together....what's meant to be will be perhaps!

Unknown said...

I swear 50% of the fabrics I have tried to order lately have been on backorder (especially a certain high end company that carries a certain Hot House flower in a 'Spark' colorway). I've had to settle for second choice fabrics, but in the long run, I don't miss my first choices. I LOVE that matelesse fabric! So bright and cheery. You have great taste! Chic Rooms

Lauren & Mel said...

I love how the curtains work with the painting. So beautiful!
I'm no decorator but I tell you what I always do when purchasing for the home. My favourite colour is blue so I always go straight for blue but stop and make myself get another colour to mix it up. I then head home and realise (every single time!!) that I don't have any blue in the bloody house. So I have a house full of second choices!

Faux Fuchsia said...

Having seen them in Real Life I think they are 100% stunning! Since most of my furniture is gifted stuff from rellies or from the Salvos I've had to Make Do and Mend Colourwise. And usually everything works out for the best. Years ago I bought a rug at auction with orange on it and at the time I didn't care for orange and now I think Thank God for that.xxx

Fiona said...

I really like your curtains, but then, I love green. I am not a designer,but I doggedly troll Ebay for certain fabrics. It took quite a while to get enough Romo fabric for my curtains, though!

tarheel said...

I think they're fab, esp. with the blue girl.

Dianne said...

Oh I absolutely love the green!!!
It is so fresh and the print is modern traditional...just perfect like everything you do.
Is this a hint of the new colorway for your shop?

Anonymous said...

Anna, Just wanted to say I absolutely love the new blog look! Gorgeous ...

Bohemianwhimsey said...

Love your new banner- ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL .... looking forward to seeing your stores website.
Have a wonderful weekend !!!

annie@mostlovelythings said...

I love the new look of your blog...of course it's gorgeous! And so is your new profile pic!

Christine said...

Wow, love the curtains and the art, who is the artist?

Nadia Palacios said...

Beautiful drapes! This happened to me with two types of upholstery fabric that my client LOVED; and the vendor had it listed as stocked both at their store and their online catalog. It turned out both fabrics were discontinued, and I had to come up with a whole new scheme; but more importantly I had to convince my client that she loved this one more than the previous one (and she did, and it WAS better!)

SlaveToShopping said...

Love the art too...is it in your shop?

Glamour Drops said...

Time and time again this happens to me! And often it turns out even better than the original choice. Part of the fun of being a designer, I reckon.

Anna I often read your blog but don't comment ~ always in a rush! But I have to tell you how mesmirising your bedroom is. Heavens, I would never get out of bed with a room that inspiring! The curtains simply add yet another layer to a room that is alive and restful at the same time.

cotedetexas said...

Your house is stunning! Are the fireplaces marble? Soooooooo beautiful!,,