HURRICANE SEASON, Carolyne and Ralph

via Carolyne Roehm

I couldn't resist this image featuring Carolyne Roehm's use of the "Classic" hurricanes by Ralph Lauren Home... Inspiring!

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MOOD BOARD: April 04.12.17

Bowood House

Limoges tray, L'Objet

Capri

Thomas Britt (Veranda)

Young Huh (Kips Bay Showhouse)

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ROCAILLE ANTIQUES, Atlanta Style

My wonderful friend, the dealer, Charles Robert Mills, has recently updated his site .  Check it out.  Charles is a French decorative arts specialist, but is also very knowledgeable in many other areas of the decorative arts.  DF *****

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A CHAIR, A LOVE AFFAIR

(C) Dean Farris Interior Design 2016

When I first laid eyes on this Spanish copy of a painted Louis XV chair, with gilt decorations -I fell in love, it was love at first sight.  There's a long story behind my acquisition of it, let me share it with you. 

The first time I actually met Albert Hadley was when he came to FIT to give a talk to the interior design students.  He had his assistant at the time, Tice Alexander, with him.  Tice and I had been friends when we both studied at FIT- and I just happened to be wearing a bright-ish teal sweater that day- (a purchase I had spent a lot of time agonizing over, from the old Barneys when it was still downtown)...later Tice told me that the only student that Albert thought had style was that guy wearing the teal sweater!  This was around 1982 or so.

Fast forward to 1996 or 97, and lo and behold, Albert had purchased a small cottage in Old Naples!  I was thrilled. (I had moved to Naples from NYC in 1996) One day AH and I were spending some time in the tiny guest house behind the main cottage, and I saw the chair- the chair I fell in love with- it was TEAL !  I died.  I swooned.  Albert saw how much I loved it and agreed to sell it to me.  I was able to convince a client, who had never paid any fees, to buy the chair for me, in lieu of a fee- and she agreed!  I was in heaven!  :)

While this chair still gives me pleasure, and reminds me of the days of wine and roses with Albert- I do realize that it's perhaps a little too grand for how I really live.  Not that it's museum quality, but the fragility and the provenance...I adore it!  It inspired me to pursue more objects of quality and upped my game when it comes to furniture selection.  I see it as a piece of sculpture in a space.  Not really a chair.  An art object.  An object of desire. 

Teal reminds me of my childhood, when I would see this teal Rolls Royce convertible sitting in a carport on my way home from school.  One day when I happened to be walking on Madison Avenue in New York, I saw Mrs. Petrie being driven up the avenue in HER teal Rolls Royce!  It was a fabulous sight- very glam.  I also love this color as seen in 18th century oil paintings, often juxtaposed with a tomato red.  Beautiful!
DF *****

Decorative Auction: Thomas Britt

Thomas Britt, New York

The fabulous, super decorator, Thomas Britt, is having some things auctioned off by Kaminski...click here for more information and to browse the lots.  Enjoy!  DF *****

A Fond Summer Memory

Britt estate, Seashells, I-fone photo: Dean Farris

There was something very sweet and quite special about visiting Tom and Julie Britt after all those years...as if we had just seen each other last week, when in reality, it was more than 20 years since we last met! 
I had taken some random shots of the original house, (where Tom stays), and found this one in my files, and thought of sharing this charming one with you~this table was in the dining room, or Salle A Manger as my late friend Lord Jeremy Fry might have called it.   The simplicity of just those shells, arranged so casually, struck me as nothing short of pure genius.  After all, the sea is not too far away from this house, and so, it's quite suitable.  DF *****

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Intaglios, 1st Century, Roman

A first century intaglio, Roman

Intaglios, small relief carved objects, have been used for centuries in printing, and so, for May Day, I was inspired to share our small collection of intaglios~

Seen at MP Interiors, Estero, FL

Intaglios, framed, MP Interiors

This set of six is still available~ call 239-498-9074 for more information, and have a great weekend!  DF *****

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The Garden District, Naples

Ready for another gala event

Seen at Garden District, Naples

Rufino Hernandez, The Garden District

Garden behind Rufino's shop

Vignette in window, Garden District

It's always fun to visit the Naples shop, The Garden District, which belongs to old friend, Rufino Hernandez.  Rufino does many of the hundreds of charity events here in town, and is very talented.  He also has a very talented staff.  Enjoy these random shots I took yesterday, while shopping for my new New York-Mediterra clients...DF ***** 

Rufino Hernandez

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One of My Favorite Rooms

Dean Farris Interior Design

I've had such fun arranging my furnishings and accessories in the Moorings apartment I recently moved in to.  It's comforting to have things around that remind us of old friends, family, and personal tastes.  The mock Louis XVI chair with its back towards this camera angle had belonged to the late Holland Salley, one of the first, if not THE first designers to settle in a 1950's era Naples.  He came here in 1953, at the suggestion of Barron Collier, Jr.~ and never left.  The big blue dragon bowl came from Maison Auclair, which was on Fifth Avenue South across from where Hollands business once was.  I thought of sharing this image I took, via my i-phone, which gives some idea of the eclectic and mixed look I've created here.  The Louis XV style chair in the far corner, with the chevron pillow on it, came from the late Albert Hadley~ and is one of my favorite things!  It has a teal and gilt finish, with a cream, gold lame' backed Jack Larsen linen fabric, with Alberts trademark flat tape self trim.  I recently had about 25 people over for drinks in this room, and the crowd flowed out onto the small lanai, where I had a bar set up.  Looking forward to showing more of this apartment soon!  Enjoy! DF *****

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Topiary Madness

Bunny Mellon

Loi Thai, Tone on Tone

Wow! Look at these amazing, exquisite topiaries!  Loi has a beautiful shop and also a blog, called Tone on Tone- these are some of his myrtle topiary standards. Beautiful! DF *****

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Some Designer Vignettes DFID

My bedroom in 2006 DFID

I used a raffia queen size headboard, Brunschwig pillow fabric (also on the windows) Matouk linens, and 1930's french chairs in celadon damask.  A lot of the furnishings in this no longer existing room I created were given to me, including the (not shown) chippendale dresser opposite the bed.

Antique rice bowls, MP Interiors, DFID

 These beautiful 100 year old rice bowls were also a gift, and are sitting on a rattan table that was given to me by some of my favorite young clients, from Darien, CT.  Thanks Mark!

My current dining room area DFID 

The beautiful skirted table was a gift from another client and friend, Mary Hill.  The propped framed drawing on the chair was given to me by the late Tice Alexander.  It is a rendering by Albert Hadley of the Getty's New York dining room.

Deans sketches for Mary Gilbert DFID

I did these quick sketches for Harry Schule and Ned Marshall when they were featured on the television program called "Style with Elsa Klensch" on CNN. The one at the top is of the dining room, which was inspired by the Brighton Pavilion.

My Living Room DFID

 Love this colour- the table and most of the objects on it were all given to me by friends and clients- Elaine brought the small crystal egg back from a trip to Ireland, it's Waterford.  The "silver" tray came from the dollar store and cost $1.00 !

My Living Room DFID

My favorite chair, which was given to me by a client in lieu of a design fee- via my late friend Albert Hadley.  He also gave me the small parsons style table seen at right.  I paid nothing for the rug- which makes the room!  I hung the curtains myself, they came from Billy, when we had a place in Pompano, Florida.  He found that fabric in Ohio for $4.00 a yard!  (we used a lot of it)  ~ 
Enjoy!  Cheers!  DF *****

 While I like the things that I own, I don't have anything that I could not live without. I am constantly moving things around, passing them on to friends - a sort of sharing- and when it is appropriate, using things I own in decorating schemes. When I use something that I have owned for many years in a project for a client, I don't think of it as getting rid of something. For me, it is like keeping things in the family.

Albert Hadley

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Albert's Naples Dining Room
Photo: Fernando Bengoechea

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Back from PB !

This was by the waterfall at the pool that changed colours at night

We had such a nice chilled out long weekend on the east coast recently- click here to listen to the chilled out music from Buddha Bar...

This was by the outdoor lounge under a tent by the pool that changed colours at night

I loved the trashed out cushions on the outdoor banquettes- reminding me of the Angelo Donghia townhouse garden I had seen back in the late 1970's

Chocolate orchid growing on palm tree trunk

I had written about chocolate orchids in my novel, Diamonds In The Sun, and how they were the inspiration for a decor' scheme in a luxury condo in Naples...click here to order on amazon!

Another shot I took of the splendid chocolate orchid

I can't think of anything more divine than this orchid- which has a subtle fragrance like cocoa...

Seen at J and M Antiques, West Palm Beach

This table reminded me of my idol, Michael Taylor, and the busts of Furlow Gatewood...we had lunch next door to this shop (J M Antiques) and Louise, my old friend and fabulous decorator had asked if I had seen the book One Mans Folly... click here to order from amazon...!

We might as well have been at Les Puces! J M Antiques, WPB

 I very much was attracted to this painted Louis XV style canape', probably a 19th century model...

These chairs struck my fancy- J M Antiques WPB

Billy and I admired this bold linen print on these painted and gilded open arm chairs...

Billy trying out a Jansen style bergere, J M Antiques WPB

I asked William (Billy) to sit here and strike a pose,

these chairs had my favorite cushion- all DOWN !

Fabulous Serge Roche style 1930's plaster palm torchere, J M Antiques WPB

 I had to take a photo of THIS divine piece, Albert had some similar ones in his Manhattan flat once upon a time...

Venetian Baroque style arm chair, J M Antiques WPB

I saved the best for last!  Imagine this in a Fortuny or Groves Brothers cotton...or a silk damask from Old World Weavers...we had such fun in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach...I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into my world, the world of decorating, and antiques, orchids and palms- and divine inspiration!  Enjoy!  Cheers!  DF *****

Book: Manhattan Classic, Dean's Roses

Manhattan Classic, Geoffrey Lynch, Princeton Architectural Press

We're always thrilled to receive a review copy of a new design publication, and so, dear readers, here is the latest out on the very distinguished and highly desirable real estate, known as Manhattan Prewar Apartments....whether a classic six on Park or a classic eight on West End, these flats aim to please!  The book does a fabulous job of exposing an insider's view of Manhattan residential dwellings.  Kudos to Mr. Lynch and his editorial team!

Floral creation by DFID

And, while we're on the topic of reading, lest I digress- I was reading the design blog of my California friend, Peggy Braswell (According to Braswell)  and saw a most attractive floral she had written about...which inspired my very own creation, shown above- which incorporates fresh ivory-peach roses, shiny green begonia leaves, and the tips of green palm fronds...what do you think?  See Peggy's post here

'Tumblr, via According to Braswell

At first, you see, dear readers, I was so happy to just have the roses- but then when I saw what Peggy had posted about this morning, I just had to change it up a bit...James T. Farmer and Martha would be so proud!  Perhaps I had what is known as a Martha Moment !!!  Or was it a Peggy Posy? :)

Dean's bouquet shown with Ralph Lauren accessories

Don't you agree, these peachy roses look sensational with the waxed begonia leaves?  The roses have a lovely, subtle fragrance too.  I had a lovely morning arranging this petite bouquet, which I created especially for my desk at work.  I also was inspired by Bronson Van Wyck on the Tory Burch blog...which is another favorite read of mine - check it out!  Cheers!  DF *****

My Gilt-y Pleasure

Circa 1810 French mirror, Antiques Center of Naples

I love looking into, and at, my old gilt mirror- it has such romance and mystery...it adds so much charm and character to my smallish living room.

If you've been following me, you no doubt know by now that I very much like patina, and gilt, and things from the past- I suppose I could have my old mirror re-gilded, but it might come off looking too "repro" and I LIKE the crusty old look of it as it is, don't you?  I think it suits the cottage-y proportions of my small condo.

Now, THIS is a gilt-y pleasure!  I LOVE Versailles!  When I was there, touring- I almost fainted, since I had such a minimal lunch....and I was feeling as if I was in one of my spiritual homes...such beauty!

French commode, with gilt bronze mounts

Sean Johnson at the Biennale des Antiquaires

Here I am with my "Versailles" mirror,

as interpreted by Line Vautrin...

Green paint with gilt, Palace of Versailles

I love the mirror over mantel in Mrs. Altschul's flat, by Mario Buatta

(formerly a Sister Parish apartment)

Tom Britt's New York townhouse apartment

All of these images represent something near and dear to my design sensibility- did you know- and I've been known to make a joke at my own expense- that my nickname in design school (in Atlanta) was "Putti Baroque" ? Well, it's true !  :)  Ha!  Cheers!  Enjoy!  DF ***** Check out the GILT site !  XX