Sitting Down with the Successful Interior Designer Anna Spiro

As a child, Anna Spiro always saw herself as a creator and someone who embraced her sense of imagination. That, partnered with her mother’s love of interior design and beautiful things, such as her collection of blue and white ginger jars, are what Anna accredits her passion for interior design to.

For Anna, there is the feeling that being in a home surrounded by beautiful things as a child led her down the path of becoming an interior designer. At the age of 17, she began working for John Black, and after six years, they became partners. That was the birth of her design firm, Black & Spiro in Brisbane, where she serves as Head Designer.

1. When did you first decide to become an interior designer and how did you get started with your design business?

I have been interested in design from a young age. My mum took great pride in decorating her home with blue and white ginger jars and patterned upholstery fabrics. I think her passion for beautiful things resonated with me. I started working for John Black Interiors at 17 and six years later he asked me to go into partnership with him, Black and Spiro started from there.

2. What is the most challenging part of your job?

I think the most difficult part of my job is working within strict timeframes. I have always loved to customise furniture and select beautiful fabrics and my aesthetic involves many layers meaning projects often take long periods of time. I often remind my clients that good things take time and once the project is complete they are in total agreeance with me.

3. What inspires you?

Weekend trips to Stradbroke Island with my family and our dog, Ned. The natural colour palettes inspire my everyday work.

4. What do you think is the essential piece of furniture we should all have in our bedroom?

No bedroom is complete without a beautifully upholstered bedhead. It sets the backdrop for the rest of the room and it’s also a place where you can take some risks with pattern and colour.

5. What key element do we all need for a chic living room?

I can’t go past a sisal rug, I think a natural texture is important to ground a bright colour palette. A combination of different chair styles is important, I would never encourage my clients to buy a complete matching set of lounge room furniture.

6. Do you have a favourite project or story behind a project?

Every project is unique and beautiful in its own way. Most projects I hold very close to my heart.

With a love of customising furniture and intricate layering of patterns and textures, Anna is someone who likes to take her time to create the perfect space for each client. She’ll continue to look for inspiration in nature and maintain her love of texture and beautiful upholstery in future projects, with the ultimate goal of helping clients create spaces that reflect their lives and the things that bring them joy, much as her childhood home did.

Let's Get Personal .....

1. What else are you passionate about besides your work?

My husband and my two sons, Harry and Max.

2. What’s one thing people may not know about you?

I love to garden on a Sunday morning, when I’m not at Straddie.

3. What can't you live without?

A fresh bunch of flowers.