TROPICAL HOLIDAY II, Naples

The French architect-decorator, Robert Couturier, whom my old dear friend and mentor Tice Alexander jokingly called "Bob Taylor" said something about paradise being a place where you go when you are dead- and we all know what he meant- he had a Naples client when he was quoted as making this very Gallic acerbic remark- and it is funny. 

These snap shots capture a tiny glimpse of Christmas in Naples- where opulence is making a huge comeback- it's only just beginning. 

I so enjoyed the visit from my family this year, and we made the rounds from the Ritz Carlton, to Tarpon Lodge, to Third Street South.  I saw many, many old friends and acquaintances and was so happy to see them.  One's true wealth is measured in health and friends and family. 

Trusting that all of my readers and followers had an enjoyable holiday and will have an even better New Years Eve and New Year!  Here comes 2017!  Ready or not!  DF *****

TROPICAL Holiday: Naples

Fun places to shop downtown: Paper Merchant (for wacky cards, gifts and wrapping paper) A Mano (higher end gifts) J. McLaughlin (tropical colored clothing) and my personal fave, since they have a bar with complimentary rum runners- ISLAND COMPANY, (fun clothing items for men and women and cute tropical themed gifts) (Palm Beach, Nantucket, Naples, Martha's Vineyard, Grand Cayman) Check out their site- ! XOXO Dean. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Pool Time, Naples

 image via Facebook

They say one picture is worth a thousand words...DF *****

Victorian Revival, Dean Farris Interior Design

Dean Farris Interior Design (c) 2016

The Victorians were into maximalism, and they loved to have something they called a "cozy corner" ~ a decorative conceit where they could lounge a la turque in high style, perhaps smoking a pipe or sipping some absinthe....here, Billy and I had fun one day creating our own cozy corner, and it gave our guests a lot of pleasure.  Enjoy!  DF *****

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John Singer Sargent

 



Decorator Scrapbook 2016

Michael Taylor

Outside Tom Britt's guest house, Watermill, NY

The Naples cottage of the late Albert Hadley, (via House Beautiful)

Arizona Biltmore

Michael Taylor

Tom Britt, Watermill, NY

Angelo Donghia, NY

Here's just a few images that inspire me, and hopefully you as well...enjoy!  DF *****

Maison Auclair at MP Interiors

Room setting, Judith Auclair

Our dear friend and colleague, Judith Auclair, has recently created a very compelling and beautiful color story, here at MP Interiors, in our third floor showrooms...Do stop by and see more of the creative genius of Judith Auclair, of Maison Auclair antiques and decoratives, including her fabulous coquillage collection!  DF *****

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David Bowie, Iman Redux

Iman

The designer Tory Burch inspired me to recall my time at Bergdorf Goodman, when beautiful, famous people like Iman, would come in to shop and to browse. 

I was, like everyone else, saddened to hear of the loss of David Bowie at the young age of 69, and while I never saw him perform, he was a huge influence on me and my friends back in the late 1970's. 

I can't even begin to imagine anyone more beautiful, graceful, or elegant than Iman.  The staff at BG was pretty much numb to seeing celebrities and selling to them, so we really never fawned over them.  We just tried to treat them like anyone else.  DB r.i.p.  DF *****  

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2016 Inspiration: Coco Chanel

My very sweet and kind and talented friend, Julie Britt, sent this video to me to kick off 2016...funny too, that Jackie Rogers was at dinner with us the night we were in Watermill visiting Tom and Julie, as Jackie had modeled for Madame Coco in her younger days living abroad.  Fabulous!  DF *****

Here I am channeling the spirit of Coco