DECOPHILE

2016-10-04T15:13:00.001-05:00

Austin...my new boyfriend

I am a proud Northern Indiana born, Chicago raised & grown, snow shoveling, El riding, Midwestern hot dog eating Yankee chick. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be living in Austin Texas and absolutely loving it. I don't do well in the heat, I get a little stabby when it's over 85 degrees. But so far so good...no casualties yet. Austin seems to be the love child (and yes, spirit animal) of Chicago and Bloomington, Indiana. Neighborhoody but a mini metropolis. 4,000 plus bars and restaurants that are scattered all over this city. A dizzying array of architecture in the neighborhoods and downtown. It's a big, crunchy, hippie, arty, hipster, punky, blue collar, techie Eden. I was a little apprehensive and skeptical, who wouldn't be...it's Texas for God's sake! I am happy to announce that it is everything I thought it wouldn't be and showing me it's true self. It's easy. I've been here a month so far, probably have met over one hundred people and almost every single one of them used the word "Welcome!" "Welcome to Austin!" or "Welcome to Texas!" are two of the other phrases used. One of my newly made friends even went so far as to add "We're glad you're here." I couldn't believe how genuine everyone is. People in Chicago don't say "Welcome". They say things like "Hey Jagoff! Stay in your own lane!" or "Excuse you." It's nice. It's all new to me. It feels good to relax a little. I think I'm gonna dig it here.

There's so many iconic and culturally cheeky stores, boutiques, galleries and bars. The murals on the sides of buildings has it's own category of graffiti. Perfect backdrops for selfies and group pics. The design and architectural elements to this town are amazing. Not narrow or pigeon holed at all.

Self-deprecating humor! (So far the map seems to be holding true)

The town is awash in modern, midcentury modern and contemporary homes.

But there are plenty of turn of the century beauties. I wouldn't believe this photo is in Texas, so green and lush.

My favorite store! Antiques, taxidermy, Victorian madness, old jewelry, mid century objects...hours of fun!

I also now understand why Austinites are always muttering "glad you enjoyed your visit, now go home" under their breath (with a smile) when they meet a visitor who is so enamored with this town that they want to move to this incredible place. I get it. Too much growth too fast. I'll just keep apologizing to them for moving here. But I'm not sorry.

My Body My House

2014-10-05T18:55:00.000-05:00

I am 46 years old and have waited for twenty five plus years to make the anguishing decision of what and where my first tattoo will be. I know it sounds ridiculous but I'm finally near the plateau of my life and am no longer a pussy, able to make a physically altering (no going back) decision. I was always the only one in the room -back in the day- to NOT have a tattoo. I was okay with that. If everyone else was doing it, wearing it, saying it or listening to it, I didn't want anything to do with it. Now, I've heard the number of people with tattoos is pushing 40% of the population...hmph. Whatever, I have always loved them and have always found them incredibly intriguing.

I thought it would be an interesting challenge to find some interiors of rooms that translate to tattoos, at least my interpretation thereof. I'd like to pose a challenge to readers...if you have tattoos and want to show off your personal style, by all means, please send me some pics of you, your tats and your room(s). I'd love to see the personal style revealed in your house and on your skin.

Black, stark and graphic. A fitting description for most tattoos. This room is only brought back to earth by the vase of white tulips, without the organic touch, it becomes way too cold and impersonal.

Color, personalized and a bit of tradition,,,always fill your home with what you love and you'll never be unhappy or bored. Hopefully, you can say the same of your tattoo for all your years.

I ADORE this wallpaper! Skulls are a cornerstone in tattoo design and what could be more appropriate for this post?! This is Anita Modha Custom Design Wallpapers out of Calgary. Proper- Punk Rock-Granny design. Brilliant.

This is Tobi Tobin's work. Genius. This pretty much sums up my design style. Traditional/creepy/dark/beautiful. She's been dubbed the Rock-n-Roll Martha Stewart. Fitting.

More Tobi Tobin. Again...dark, a little industrial, butch, beautiful lines with a little edge. Not too out there but definitely not for most of you. (Thank God)

Our love for animals runs deep and so many are incorporated as tattoos. Taxidermy is an amazing art form and I love the fact that so many people are not fans.

Reclaim your room!

2012-07-30T07:05:00.002-05:00

I hope to inspire with this blog and sometimes we have a room in our homes that needs a little inspiration and attention. Some of us aren't fortunate enough to have one of these rooms, others have contorted it into an office, playroom, studio or extra family room. Some of them are "a part" of another room (like mine), a run-on by lazy architects on a budget or builders who try to convince us that an open concept is best for all of us. Sorry architects and builders but I am talking about the formal Dining Room. A room unto it's self, separated from the kitchen, living and family rooms. Our insane and overly scheduled lives have left the dining room to a mere pass through or left waiting for the Big Three (Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter) to open it's arms to us again, welcoming us back like the Grandmother you don't visit enough but she's always happy to see you without a lecture.

I spent many years working (and drinking )in restaurants and bars. The sense of community and comfort are the core of the concept...being with other human beings, communicating and sharing food, drink and ideas is a basic need in our lives. So why would you allow that same need to go unfilled in your own home? Home is the last safe place on earth, it needs to be as comfortable and inviting as possible. Sharing ideas, communicating with the ones you love and providing that safe haven for your family is essential to a happy life. I can refer you to all kinds of studies that tell us that eating dinner together as a family brings us all closer, helps our kids get better grades, raises their self esteem and in general makes you a tighter clan. But we all know these benefits of dining together and eating in front of the TV as a family does not count!

Let's get some inspiration from a teeny handful of cafes, pubs and restaurants from around the world...

I usually have to comment on all my pictures that I post but I will let them speak for themselves this time.

I know you can't see the interior here but I had to include at least one outdoor cafe shot and I can't help myself when it comes to Cafe du Monde. It is one of my favorite spots in New Orleans. Yes, I know it's tourist Hell but just look at this picture, it makes me smile. Gorging yourself on a pastry with an astonishingly high calorie count, drinking cup after cup of coffee till you're shaking, chain smoking till you've filled the ashtray and watching the freak show of tourists, junkies, musicians and locals shuffle by was one of my favorite and most memorable experiences (besides the bars and graveyards - which we will cover another time) in New Orleans.

Go on now...go clean out your dining room or carve out a space in your home for one and bond with your family or better yet, host a dinner party!

In the Navy!

2012-07-20T04:54:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty sure I am now mature enough to fully embrace the color Navy. I think there are some colors in the spectrum that you grow in and out of and some you have to have enough wisdom to fully appreciate. It is a quiet color with lots of muscle, the strong silent type, it has as much tradition as it's military namesake and it makes me feel (just a teeny tiny bit) like a Kennedy back in the early sixties.

Powder rooms are the best rooms in your home to experiment with the dark, the intense and the glossy, three of my favorite things. This beautiful sink looks like a starlet under the spotlights. Gorgeous!

Here we go...Mary McDonald is one of my favorite designers. Her punches of graphic patterns and colors, especially on floors, is always the room maker. It's her signature style and it once again proves that the floor (and ceiling) are just as important as the walls. This pattern is so over-scaled it's almost comedic, that's why it's so amazing. I'm forgetting how beautiful the rest of the room is but that's a no brainer.

This flame patterned wallpaper is another wonderful graphic punch that makes the room. The white and orange jump out and give just the right amount of contrast to make this room really pop. The navy, white and green color combo also totally remind me of the early eighties at Catholic school...you know, Izods, Sperrys and cardigans.

This room is so freaking fantastic that I posted it on my Facebook page this week. Chartreuse is my favorite color and the contrast it provides in this room breathes a little modernity into an otherwise stuffy room, although it is saved from that fate by the sexy high gloss walls.

I think I'll paint our powder room this weekend...high gloss navy I think.

Men...why so apathetic?

2012-07-06T05:13:00.000-05:00

I love men. I especially love my husband of seventeen years. I also love gay men. Here is where I'm going with this..are (hetero) men really interested in interior design? Of course the answer is yes but what percentage? And why is the percentage so high with gay men? What is it about interiors that repels the average man? Is it some crazy chemical imbalance? It's not an uber girly genre. These are spaces that we all spend time in. Do you not care if your living room sofa is leather or mohair? Are you that lackadaisical to the palette of the Turkish rug? If you don't care then I guess I'll just go ahead and recover your Dad's wing back in a modern floral. Oh...now I have your attention, sir.

I wish men were not so apathetic about such an important part of their lives. A while back I did an entry about pairing up smoking hot men with equally handsome rooms, one of my favorite entries. I definitely have more of a masculine lean when it comes to design so I'm on your side dudes! Next time your wife/girlfriend/partner asks your opinion about your interior space, give an opinion. You may not get your way but at least you've contributed. Take pride in your home, you spend a lot of time there and it's one of the last safe places out there.

Sooo butch! See, isn't this fun?

See, not all pictures and wall hangings have to consist of flowers.

So next time you've been drug out to a furniture store or (gasp) an antique store by your better half, please try to at least act like you're interested and answer her questions with more than grunts and shoulder shrugs. It will make her so happy if you at least just point to one of the pillows she's holding up for your approval. I guarantee she won't choose the one you pointed to but at least you're engaged in the outing. If you are on good behavior most of the day you may even get lucky that night.

Saddle shoes and no seat belts

2012-07-05T09:17:00.001-05:00

My husband and I saw Moonrise Kingdom last night and once again Mr. Anderson, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Wes Anderson is the director of one of my all time favs (#3 on my top ten list, The Royal Tenenbaums. I even recommend watching it without the sound.) The scenes, sets and wardrobes are an emotional journey for me and I'm sure most of my readers...at least those of you over the age of 37ish. The knee socks, the record players, the oriental rugs, the board-game closets, the chain smoking, the metal can of Wilson tennis balls (you can still smell them as you take the lid off can't you?) and the absence of seat belts in cars. His movies allow me to relive a period of my life that I cherish and yet makes me sad that my own children will never feel and experience all of the amazing, dangerous and naive opportunities that I had.

My children are at camp this week in Michigan, hopefully gaining as much worldly experience as all the children in Moonrise Kingdom did in their camp adventures. One of the first things we're going to do when they get back is to go see this film. Hopefully, it will give them a little insight into my mumbled words of "the old days".

I loved and adored my saddle shoes.

Again...styling is genius and so spot on.

M.I.A. no more

2012-06-28T07:36:00.002-05:00

Wow. Three months? Unbelievable. Okay, back on the horse. I've been really uninspired and a little overwhelmed with my day to day duties to my family. I've reorganized, pulled up the proverbial boot straps and am ready to kick ass again.

Where shall we start?

I am ready to "phone up". Do I really need an I Phone? I don't want one just because so many of you have one. Sorry, no offense but if everyone has something or is doing the same thing, I don't want anything to do with it. But the phone covers are so cool. How about a little feedback, pros and cons and recommendations?

I will resume the good stuff tomorrow...

Pop goes Spring!

2012-03-03T06:46:00.002-06:00

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.

2012-02-08T14:36:00.001-06:00

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!

2012-02-05T11:42:00.000-06:00

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!

2012-01-29T07:42:00.001-06:00

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!

2012-01-18T15:25:00.000-06:00

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~~

Christmas smack

2011-12-16T16:41:00.000-06:00

Since we are nine days away from Christmas Day, I'm going to try to cram in as much Christmas as possible these next few days because after December 26th, I am over it, so over it. And since the retailers of America feel the need to shove the holiday down our throats earlier and earlier every year, it is at this point in December that I'm sick of the traditional colors, lights, sights and sounds. I didn't want to freak everyone out with a creepy and disturbing parade of images so we'll just do a little off kilter and off the beaten path Christmas inspiration. If I didn't ADORE this amazing time of year so much, I wouldn't be able to talk smack about it.

Again, I saved the best for last. I have wanted to do the inverted Christmas tree for years and I never break with tradition. Next year! Go spread some Christmas cheer...

Babypalooza

2011-12-13T07:05:00.001-06:00

Since my children are now smug thirteen year olds, I get sentimental for the days when they were babies. Their nursery was a neutral shade of beige and their cribs were a sleigh bed style in a dark mahogany finish. I did not go over board in their room for a few reasons, I was having twins and was a little freaked out, (did I mention they're my first?) we didn't have a lot of money and I had recently stopped working so I was trying to get the rest of the house up to our new baby standards...because unbeknownst to me, babies don't come out of the womb walking, putting small objects in their mouths and choking and shoving forks into unprotected electrical outlets.

So I wanted to fantasize for a few minutes about the nursery they never had. If you have children, dream along with me. Unless you're one of those overachieving moms that had the nursery professionally done with every onesie on a silk padded hangar and a thousand dollar area rug that may look fantastic now but wait till someone pukes on it at three in the morning one day very soon, then it won't seem so fantastic.

Bright, cheery and crisp!

Hell yes you need a sofa in the nursery! Most of us spent many a night in a crappy rocker nest to the crib, a late night vigil with our feverish baby.

Love the wallpaper, colors and that fab light fixture.

Love the SHEEP!

New tradition for the baby.

I don't know what I like more, the striped walls or the faux zebra rug?

Love the color palette, fun and sophisticated.

Gorgeous!

Adore the orange and more faux zebra.

MMMMM...flokati.

Love the Tiffany blue and the Sputnik light fixture.

LOVE the colors here and notice the TWO cribs, great space for the girls. One of my favorite rooms.

The chandelier does it for me.

My absolute favorite nursery. Not super babyish but just look at that fantastic wallpaper on the CEILING!

Cute and butch color combo and I love the wallpapered ceiling again!

The blue chair really pops against the charcoal wall, nice and graphic.

Inanimate Object Love~Connection

2011-12-12T13:08:00.000-06:00

I think we forget sometimes how big of an impact visual merchandising and design in our favorite stores has on us. Not only on the chemistry of "BUY" but how we connect to it emotionally and how we can visualize it in our home. Not only the stores, which I much prefer, but online or catalogs. Personally, I need to touch it, see it in 3D, smell it, sit on it, play with it or accomplish whatever else I need to do in order to make that connection. I'm a firm believer in the most basic of design rules, "If you don't LOVE it, don't buy it". Having that intimate connection with an inanimate object is what pushes us to purchase and in turn, cherish our objects.

Who of you would be comfortable purchasing this absolutely fabulous loveseat without sitting in it? Running your hands over the upholstery? Giving a little bounce to test the springs? Walking the full diameter of it to see it from every possible angle? If you said "ME!", then I applaud your bravery. I know people do it everyday, I just can't bring myself to do it.

Okay, I'm quickly digressing. I'd like to hear from you, what's your favorite store in terms of visual appeal? Do you buy from them on a consistent basis or is it more of an inspiration for your own home? Leave me a comment, I'm really curious to hear everyone's answers on this.

Some of my personal favorites are DWR, C&B and Anthropologie. All these stores make me want to buy and they all inspire me to be more creative when I get home.

Almost forgot! Scroll down to the White Christmas post below and check out the last image. It's Bergdorf Goodman's Christmas window. Now that's pure inspiration.

White Christmas...someday

2011-12-11T07:51:00.001-06:00

One of my design fantasies is to have an entire home be completely done is shades of white. I mean everything, rugs, trim, furniture, light fixtures, wall color, artwork and every little accessory would be a shade of white. I might even be generous enough to allow a little of the following: chrome, crystal, glass and a little stainless. That being said, I've always thought that maybe an all white Christmas could be a little more realistic and obtainable back here in reality. I've yet to make that happen. So, I've vicariously planned it all out through Pinterest (which if you don't have an account yet, I highly suggest you investigate immediately)! I've taken a few of my favorite Christmas trees from my White Christmas Board and given you a hint of them here. Please feel free to wonder over to the "Follow me on Pinterest" badge to your right on this page. Maybe someday when I'm retired and we have a little condo, I can turn that into my all white wonderland. Although that doesn't sound very Grandchild friendly...oh well, that's soooo far away.

I saved the absolute best for last. This is the Christmas window at Bergdorf Goodman in New York, not sure about what year but does it really matter? Just look at it for God's Sake! Unfreakingbelieveable!

Christmas Trainwrecks

2011-12-10T08:28:00.001-06:00

This has been an unusual year for me and my family but with the Holidays approaching I wanted to remind some of you how fortunate you are for having a normal family, per say. I'm not saying my family is not normal, I'm pretty sure they are. Besides, how do we even gauge normalcy anymore since we're all self diagnosed nut jobs?

Ah, a military family!

Wow! He is excited about Santa!

Yeah, Moms think it's cute to dress you all alike.

Taxidermy with a Latin flair...that screams Christmas joy.

I'm not sure what's more amazing in this shot. Getting all these dogs to sit still and look at the camera or the sheer opulence of it all!

...and party ev-er-y day!

Have yourself a dark and dreary Christmas...

Santa is always tolerant of those on the naughty list, too. Photos courtesy of Awkward Family Photos, Thank you! Please cherish the time with your family this crazy season. Merry Christmas!

What Just Happened?!

2011-11-28T05:54:00.001-06:00

I'm not quite sure what has happened over the last three weeks but it's all a little fuzzy. It's not even December yet and I'm behind already. Time to make a fresh master list, brew a big ass pot of coffee and get crackin'.

Paint it all!

2011-11-03T17:55:00.000-05:00

Today was a rainy, gloomy day and it reminded me that a long winter lies just around the corner. I get very antsy in the winter and I desperately need plenty of projects. One of my favorites is painting furniture. A new coat of high gloss paint, some new hardware and you have a brand new (to you) piece. I love the idea of applying molding to furniture and it works wonders on a plain door or hell, even a wall. Start thinking about some of these projects now because after the Holidays are over, you'll be ready to take on a new project that does not involve a Christmas theme. Check out some of these...

My absolute fav! Don't paint the piece, paint the wall. I love the dimension it brings and it's so unexpected..

La La Land

2011-11-01T11:34:00.002-05:00

I just downloaded almost a thousand photos this morning from our vacations over the last two years and as the pictures were whizzing by, I remembered how amazing the architecture is at Disney. Now, I'm not really a fan of Disney (they are probably blacklisting my blog as you read this) but they absolutely know what they are doing when it comes to the buildings they erect and the gardens they construct. Here is a tiny sampling...

I'd turn back if I were you

2011-10-31T11:18:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to post a few pictures here today as a reminder of this "holiday", seems like such an inappropriate word for a day that creates anxiety in little kids and reminds us of ghosts of the past. Please don't get me wrong, it's one of my favorite days of the year.

Be careful out there tonight...

Where to get the good stuff on Halloween!

2011-10-30T19:49:00.000-05:00

I think Halloween is simply amazing. Ringing doorbells at the home of complete strangers and threatening them with a nasty prank unless they hand over a yummy treat is really bold. At the turn of the 20th century and especially later during the depression, people were actually asking for a little morsel on this night, a little pity in extremely tough times. So, it makes sense to hit the biggest and most unique homes. With this in mind, check out some of these incredible historic homes. What the hell would these people be handing out on Halloween?

Happy Halloween Darlings!

Bring on the wild

2011-10-29T07:33:00.000-05:00

The amazing variety of wallpaper available today is astounding. There is no way a little blog can even scratch the surface of this design element but I can share a few favs.

This "Deer" paper is exquisite. From afar it probably looks like a beigey abstract but upon closer inspection you see the herd in a kaleidoscope of movement.

This one kills me..."Yeah, so I'm looking for something with Iguanas." The diagonal print, the strangling and wrapping of the flora around him and the insects buzzing about. There's even a bird trying to subdue him. It all just makes it even weirder, which I love.

A little more traditional and I really love the black and the peacock green. I bet this wall really pops.

I love the color combo in this but the fish almost look a little prehistoric to me, a little creepy but from afar the design has lots of movement.

Gorgeous, graphic and Asian = First Place! Thanks to Walnut Wallpaper for these incredible finds. Check them out, you will be wowed.

I'll take the stairs

2011-10-27T15:50:00.001-05:00

I always said my last home in life will be a ranch, completely flush with the ground outside. I don't want to have to haul laundry, groceries or anything else over three pounds up or down any more stairs. Retirement is at least 30 years away but I've already had enough of the up and downs. But I know already that I will really miss having a beautiful staircase.

Yeah, in my wildest dreams this is my staircase.

Okay, not my staircase either.

Alright, a far more down to earth staircase that is really cute. A pop of color or pattern that is really fun. I'm guessing this is wallpaper, bet that was fun to install.

I love-love-love this shot. The zebra runner is fab, the "mural" on the landing wall is so clever and you can never go wrong with a creamy and black color scheme.

The floor to (I'm assuming) ceiling gallery combined with the lively pattern of the runner provides so much interest and movement. Not to mention the linear railing, super mod.

This is my favorite. It's like a genuflect on the way up and a curtsey on the way down.

Breaking the rules...you're so naughty BLUE

2011-10-26T08:25:00.001-05:00

I have always understood that blue is an appetite suppressant. I know it is a calming color and one of my favorites but using it in the kitchen was considered, for years, to be a no-no. To hell with the rules ~one of our mantras here at Zoe~ and bring on the blue in your kitchen.

This is one of my favs so far. The domestic bliss in this shot is stunning. The blue seems to vibrate or hum with a quiet intensity. Maybe that's where she's getting all that energy from.

Blue and cherry are an amazing combo. It's kitchy, country and mid century mod all at the same time. The tulip chairs are the perfect spot for the pop of cherry. This should give you proof that you should not be afraid to mix complimentary colors.

Again, complimentary colors do the trick here. The wall adds a textural interest and the wooden countertop warms it all up. Now, these chairs...Tolix (I believe), a french company has been making them for years. Beautifully industrial and will outlast you and your family. Worth every dime.

This wall color is a fabulous navy, which is constantly overlooked on the color wheel. The portrait brings a little seriousness to the room but the white, crisp cabinets tell you this kitchen is all about getting the job done. I really like this room but I think it would bring me down after a while. I'd rather see the navy wall in a living room with a white marble fireplace and a gallery of gloomy portraits there.

This kitchen has that whimsical and goofy feeling that keeps moods light and happy. Who wouldn't want a black crystal chandelier in their Tiffany Blue kitchen? Maybe I would enjoy being in the kitchen more if I had one, too!