To say it has been a long winter would be an understatement. The weather forecast for the first day of Spring even includes snow flurries, but all those daffodil leaves bravely poking through the ground give us hope that beautiful weather is just around the corner.

To get us in the mood, we are celebrating the Spring Equinox by reflecting on inspired displays of flowers – both real and artistic interpretations – in past Holiday House design spaces.

For Holiday House Hamptons in 2014, Campion Platt infused his master bedroom with an exuberant, feminine feel by having de Gournay‘s oversized lilies (‘Lilium’ on Custom Cream Edo painted silk) dance over the headboard, which was upholstered in a fresh, green fabric from Beacon Hill.

Jennifer Duneier‘s 2011 Easter themed room for Holiday House NYC was also inspired by the season of rebirth.  Traditional Home said, “The pink tones of the flower photograph reference the symbols of Spring in an elegant, sophisticated way.”  Vases by Lladro and a custom designed chair brought to life by Avery Boardman also reflect the floral forms while the geometric “Kikko Trellis” wall covering by Osborne & Little plays the support that holds them up.

For her “Spring Forward” room in 2012, Tobi Fairley gathered delicate pinks in the peonies, furnishings, art and accessories to represent the Spring spirit, which seems to float gently on top of the strong black and white background.

Laura Krey brought even more of Spring to our winter show house in 2014 with this exquisite wall installation of porcelain flowers by Brooklyn-based artist Syra Gomez, which were scattered across Farrow & Ball‘s bird-like Yukutori wallpaper.

In 2013, J+G Design breathed some fresh air onto the grand marble stair landing of the early 20th century mansion that houses Holiday House NYC with custom Fromental panels featuring flowering, bird-filled trees.

Honoring Holiday House NYC’s first year benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 2012, we were thrilled to exhibit the artwork of BCRF founder Evelyn Lauder, much of which was inspired by Spring’s floral bounty.

And now to get you even more in the mood for the season (or to forget about the possible snow!), here is a refreshing cocktail suggestion, courtesy of Campion Platt:

Spring Awakening Cocktail

Gin, Lillet and citrus pop on the palate in this refreshing cocktail from Drink. Well. In Austin.

3/4 oz. gin
3/4 oz. Lillet Rouge
3/4 oz. Paula’s Texas Lemon (or substitute triple sec)
3/4 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
Absinthe (for rinsing the glass)
Tools: shaker, strainer, fine strainer
Glass: coupe

Rinse a chilled coupe with absinthe. In a shaker, combine the remaining four ingredients, shake with ice and fine-strain into absinthe-rinsed coupe.

- Holiday House NYC