Pop goes Spring!

Everyone babbles on for weeks at a time at this point in the year about Spring. The colors, the temperature, the flowers, the renewal and all things pastel. I will insert my Spring inspiration here and allow you to get back to the REAL task at hand every Spring...home improvements!

Paint your front door...today. It's easy, inexpensive, adds instant curb appeal, brings a much needed pop (most likely) to your exterior, it's a great return on your miniscule investment and (the bast part) it's instant gratification!

Wow...see what I'm talking about? Tangerine Tango is Pantone's 2012 colour of the year. They set the tone for the design industry, they know what they're talking about. Trust them ~and me.

This is gorgeous. Popping out against the white trim with the gleaming hardware, you could stop traffic with this. Notice the high gloss paint, too. Don't be afraid of that finish. Ignore the novice advice of the twenty-something guy at the hardware store in the paint department.

Another lovely, bright and slightly retro color. Reminds me of Geraniums. Super girly.

Okay, the doors here are incredible on their own but the color makes it. You could easily use it, too. Upgrade the hardware while you're at it.

I thought these flowers pretty much sum it all up. So much inspiration in one vase.

And finally, here is the color chart from Pantone. Interesting choices. They chose the Tangerine to energize and revitalize the weary consumers of our country. Hope it works because I think we've all had enough. Here's to a Revitalized and Energized Spring! ~raise your glass~

Scotch on the rocks please, I'm starving.

One of the most glamorous, chic, urbane and well rounded pieces you can have in your home ~if applicable, I understand this is not for everyone but if you're a regular here on Zoe, this is applicable to you~. I love the bar cart. It can be a table, a buffet, a nightstand, anything that has a solid surface and looks fabulous. I was at a client's house today and she had a sweet little silver tray (with a lip) and had just three bottles of liquor with two beautiful cut crystal glasses on it and it sat on her buffet. Not super fussy but you got the jist, they enjoyed a drink a few nights a week and this is where the magic happens.

A well stocked and well rounded bar consists of the simple necessities...vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, scotch, seltzer, soda, sweet and dry vermouths, a few mixers, a few lemons and limes and you're there. Obviously the appropriate glassware, too but don't go kooky. A few rocks glasses and a few highballs will do the trick. Keep the wine glasses and champagne flutes with the wine in a separate locale. The hard stuff stays on the cart, wine stays in the kitchen.

Beautiful, simple and they even managed to find room on there for a lovely table lamp.

Really simple and old school.

Please! Someone fill this cart up immediately with some booze!

Gorgeous! Love the color. It's a little utilitarian but it's femmed up with the blue paint job.

Love the symmetry of it all. Pretty sure this is an inexpensive book case all dolled up and ready to party. Bet you have one somewhere in your house right now that you aren't even using really. Go get it, organize some booze and glass ware on it and call your friends!

Love how uber girly this one is, the gold Asian look is working. I especially love the antlers.

Of course it would be sensible if you're doing any remodeling to consider beverage storage to your plans. We added a beverage fridge (wine fridge) to our kitchen remodeling under the ruse that it was for our children...their yogurts, juice boxes and fruits. It quickly turned into our overflow fridge for leftover beers from parties. A wise investment, purposeful and it looks fantastic.

Now go fix mommy a drink sweetie dahling...

Greekster Baby!

It has been two long years since we have celebrated Greek Easter properly. It has been a tough couple of years for us as a family and I feel like we're back on track. A feeling of fresh starts, renewals and putting the past behind us. It's what Easter is all about, rebirth and renewal. This year we have decided to revive Greekster...drinking beginning at 9am, more Greek food than anyone should have and the sweet smell of spring as the lamb rotates on the spit. I've got two months to prepare, should be enough time.

Yep, head and all.

The consumption of this is after dark.

Dying the red eggs is labor intensive and a potentially catastrophic mess but they're gorgeous and fun for the kids to crack later.

The Icons are so beautiful. We received so many for our wedding but I wish we had more.

Brights please. Enough with the Greige already!

The end of January is upon us and that means we are rounding the final curve of winter, hopefully. February is the pause that we all need before full blown spring begins. A time for spring cleaning, projects for the home are buzzing through your head and it's also the best time to make any changes to your interiors. May I suggest something outside your comfort zone?

Bright colors are proven to make us happier. Period. If you're not so bold as to paint your dining room ceiling chartreuse then maybe just a fuchsia pillow on your sofa (for starters) will get you closer to the outer perimeter of your comfort zone. Experiment a little, see what you can tolerate in your own home. Aren't you sick of the beiges, greiges and sands?

Rugs are a wonderful way to throw down a block of graphic color. Quick, easy sometimes inexpensive and it's instant gratification! One of my personal favs.

Gorgeous built-ins pop right off the wall. It dictates the feel of the room without being too pushy or obnoxious.

Dining rooms are a great room for color because it is a room where minimal time is spent, maybe an evening meal seven nights a week, if you're lucky. Or if you're like most of us, it's a room that is primarily a pass through and a spot for Sunday dinners and the occasional party. Might be a good place for the timid to begin.

Offices (top pic) are always benefited by brights. Inspirational, motivational and energizing. Those are words I always need in my work space.

Powder rooms are the BEST choice for the jolt of color. It's small and minimal time is spent in there and you can shut the door, now your guests will be really ~pleasantly~ surprised upon entering. This particular vanity is a cheapie, coated with a fab paint color and adorned with high drama door-knockers instead of typical knobs. Genius! Easy to do and easy on that tight budget.

Paint (obviously) is always the quickest, easiest and the biggest no brainer for adding color. One wall or even the inside of a bookcase (or a built in) has an enormous effect. Crank it up a notch or two by adding moldings and you are on your way to a new you. Baby steps my friend...

Finally, here is the cover I would have if I had an I-Phone (just not a fan). I love the bright Ikat design and it certainly would stand out in the crowd.

Time to butch it up!

I am tired of girlie. I've never been overly feminine with my designs but I can appreciate the soft lines, subtle colours and curvy silhouettes. What woman doesn't love flowers and little bird statues on her coffee table?

I'm just not in the mood right now. I am in desperate need of a man...room. How about a little inspiration?

I think Lenny would enjoy this room, very earthy and a little crunchy while still maintaining the hip factor: just like him.

A world traveler, spy and conqueror of women on a global scale needs a room to keep up with him.

Gorgeous, structured, masculine and well thought through...I'm talking about the room but I'm really referring to the beautiful creature known as Rob.

Mysterious, a little creepy and dangerous. (Just how I like 'em!) Reminds me of The Leaky Cauldron.

Chris (Kurt!) would approve of this beautiful and open game room. Let's turn the garage into a gorgeous game room. Can someone please make me another Cosmo?

Architectural, clean cut, stylish as hell and inspires one to work all night. Again, I'm talking about the room. Oh JT.....

Andre (3000) is intelligent, fashionable, worldly and sexy just like this room. It has (my beloved) taxidermey, leather and is peppered with found objects from all over.

This room feels a little scholastic, super stylish and has a British sensibility. James is all of those and he's smoking hot on top of all that.

Enough of the beautiful boys, they're distracting.

~~~To see more insanely beautiful men, check out my Hot & Bothered board at Pinterest.com~~