Absolutely Beautiful Things: A Bright and Colourful Life

by Anna Spiro

In Absolutely Beautiful Things, successful designer Anna Spiro shows you how to create an interior that's just right for you. To her, it's all about the mix, not the match, and, with her help, you'll find beauty in unexpected places. She'll give you the confidence to put together a layered and very individual home using elements you love, and make you see your old belongings in a new light.

As well as lavish photographs of rooms Anna has created, she shares many of her secrets from a life in decorating, gives practical details on how to work with pattern and color, and provides a room-by-room guide to furniture choice. 'I always endeavour to create happy, interesting, layered and uplifting spaces. That means mixing everything: color and pattern, old and new, square and round, quirky and conservative. It's the imperfections and surprises that make a space interesting'.

Genres: Nonfiction, Interior Design, Design, Coffee Table Books, Art

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Barbara]

The famous blogger has set out to help us develop styles of our own and provides loads of photographs that illustrate her advice. I agree with a lot of what the author advises - loads of cushions, lamps, a riot of colour and pattern, creative mismatches... but not the all-white walls or quite so much in the way of vignettes or shabby items.

A charming book by a charming lady. If you visit Brisbane I'm pretty sure you will love her shop in New Farm with its individual and varied items for budgets of most sizes.

[Corinnagoodwin]

in every room she has done is One or Two good/great items and them a room full of junk. I feel like adding color is a good thing, but she adds color by flooding the room with unimportant nick nacks and chotchkeys.

[Beth]

I love Anna’s maximalist approach to design, so much color and texture in her rooms. Very unfussy and personal as opposed to showcase and “don’t touch anything.”

[Brianne]

I'm giving this a 3 star review solely because the photography was so beautiful, and maybe a little because I acknowledge that maybe this book is not for me? If you're a hardcore home decor lover and you love all the technical terms and nuanced minutiae of the industry itself, this might thrill you. I'm a layperson with questionable taste in literally everything, and the writing in this bored me to tears. I don't recommend if you're a casual browser just trying to get good ideas - some of the pics were gorgeous but altogether I didn't walk away inspired, namely since it took me /forever/ to force myself to get to the end of it.

[Relyn]

This is a stunningly beautiful book. It's bright, colorful, and very well-designed. The endpapers are a colorful list of things Anna Spiro loves that make me swoon. Her style is not mine, and this is still my favorite shelter book ever.

[Jackie Brewer]

I wanted to love this more than I did. Beautiful cover. I like her style. I agree 100% with a lot of her approaches to home decor. But I was underwhelmed. Not sure why.

[Rachel B]

Spiro's designs are mostly good. I like color. But I have a few pet peeves with the book:

1.) This was originally published in 2014 with a different cover and subtitle, but that wasn't obvious. In reality, the material is nearly a decade old.

2.) Spiro is one of those designers who starts by telling readers that there are no rules, and if there are rules, one shouldn't be afraid to break them. A few pages later, she's sharing rules and says if you don't follow them, it will be obvious to everyone that you're an amateur - and presumably a failure. 🙄

3.) There is so much repetition here with the photos. All of those extra pages cost extra to print, which raises the price of a book, but readers aren't actually gaining anything by seeing the same photo five times.

4.) Nude art. Enough said.

[Grace Galloway]

Wow, this book spoke to me!! Spiro’s philosophy centers around collecting pieces for your home over time; mismatching patterns, colors, and styles; and making the home a true reflection of its inhabitants. She is daring with the way she mixes furniture and colors, but somehow it always just works. I will definitely open this book up many times for inspiration. The photos truly are full of absolutely beautiful things!

[Bron Martoo]

Totally inspiring, Spiro’s thoughtful treatment of heirloom and new mixed in together is refreshing and homage all at once. I have instantly taken onboard advice and incorporated ideas into my own hook. Her key take-away...shop from home. We all have lovely, special things. Sometimes we just need the courage to put them centre-stage. The ultimate spring-read 🥰

[Lisa]

Three stars for the photos, two for the book itself, which encourages us to find our own style while pressing upon us many rules (such as the number of cushions recommended for your sofa size!). I love the individual rooms pictured, and all her colors and textures, but page after page of maximalism made me itchy. (Also, I hate cushions, unless they're floor cushions.) Not the book for me.

[Amanda]

Great book! I'm in love with Anna Spiro's style ever since hearing about her work on Halcyon House. ^.^ Great insight for building a home that reflects who you are and making it a happy space to enjoy.

[Megan]

Recommended by sherry from YHL. Some great photos of book stacks. But decorating books that focus on one perfect table or corner make it so difficult to emulate. If it takes me a month to page through I’m not moved.

[Trish]

I love design books. Kind of "home decor" junkie. Love the mix match, extra colorful rooms, textures and art. Endearing notes of inspiration too.

[Alexandra]

Lovely colours and images.

[Shani Smith]

Love everything about this beautiful book and it’s brilliantly creative author

[Tiffany]

Beautiful and inspiring read with helpful resources

[Alexandria Blaelock]

Not my style (too much to look at) but some nice pictures.

[superawesomekt]

2.5/3 stars

Just okay for me.

[Mary Lynn]

4 stars because I enjoy her use of color and I like Australian designers. Also, lovely photos. Not too much else to say. Non essential.

[Magpie]

Kylie 2018

Beautiful book Kylie, matching your beautiful spirit.
I decorate a little like Anna Spiro so I loved the familiarity of some of her notions ... others were fresh ideas that I would love to play with.
Colour and light, daring and comfort. Loved loved loved this book
M 2018

[Christy Baker]

This had more the feel of flipping through an entertaining magazine of design and decor than the feel of a book, perhaps because of the vast photo spreads and layout of the texts in almost short tips and article lengths rather ism than longer book form. The style is slightly more cluttered feeling than would work well for me as a whole, but I do appreciate the encouragement to color and choosing what one loves and is passionate over adherence to any one style or period. Having read a lot of similar books and magazines for years, I'm not sure i can say I feel like I learned so much as spent a pleasant hour just enjoying the browse through this.

[Tenaha Wilson]

This book was beautiful pulled together. Not too overwhelming with too much information. Just the perfect amount for someone wanting to revamp their home, moving or designing a new home or like me, wanting to make our new home a reflection of us. This book describes how to decorate your home with items that truly reflect yourself. I feel ready to use our memories, our personalities and our dreams to make our home the home we want to it to be. This will be one of those books that I look at many times.

[Ange]

Gorgeous book! One small issue I had: few smaller sections (i.e. "bed valences") seemed like they were ripped from a brochure/sales flier with no editing. I really enjoyed reading this book besides that small nitpick!

[Gayle Pritchard]

I just love this book. It's not a how-to in the traditional sense, but gives insight into an artist's mind. I just can't stop thumbing through the eye candy, and am frantically taking iPhone pictures of my favorite inspirations before I have to return it to the library.

[Kelly]

This is a lovely book full of the rich textiles and decor that make up Anna Spiro's home. Her love of colour and texture is evident as can be seen in the beautiful photographs. Perfect for anyone who is not afraid to embrace colour and pattern.

[Mara]

Thought it was so funny to see the word pillowing used as a verb. Never would have thought to give a title to the act of using pillows to decorate but she obviously has thought a lot about its impact in design.

[Nola]

Thoroughly recommend this book however if you don't like colour and pattern, this book is not for you. I love it, backgrounds of white walls with explosions of colour and pattern. The modern mixed with the old.

[Spike]

Loved this book-inspirational!!

[Leslea]

The title says it all. Gorgeous pictures of home wares and interior and exterior design. Just sit with a cuppa and delight in the photography whilst dreaming of what could be for your own home!

[Sarah]

gorgeously delicious photos, do - able ideas and so much color! also, books are featured in nearly every setting. love that!