Thursday, April 28, 2011

Decorator Scrapbook IX









I'm totally smitten by these three rooms, by three different designers. The first, by McMillen, is my favorite. I love controlled palettes. The second, by former Hadley designer Harry Heissman, I love for its unusual peacock blue glazed walls. The third, a Kips Bay room setting by Juan Montoya, is just simply stunning, so european in its point of view, I love it! Enjoy these images, and have a great weekend. If you don't hear from me for a while, it's just because I'm getting settled into my new home - here in sunny Napoli on the gulf. Dean

Moving Day!

While we all know that moving is a royal pain, leave it to me to choose the day of the royal wedding to move! (tomorrow) Meanwhile, with the office completely boxed up, I'm juggling the following projects: a large house in Tampa, a large project in South Carolina, a waterfront home in Naples, and a waterfront condo in Naples ...
I look forward to living in my new home, situated right on moorings bay, and directly across the street from the beach here in Naples! Here's a royal toast to the royal couple. Enjoy the weekend! Dean Farris

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Another Favorite, Iconic Room




This beautiful room, by Parish Hadley for Bill and Barbara Paley, is one of my all time favorites. Why? I love the painted and glazed boiserie. I love rich, warm yellow for walls, and I'm crazy for french furniture mixed with custom high quality upholstery. The thing I really like about this room is the basic sense of order and the arrangement, particularly the balance created by the mirror and the salon style paintings...This style is classic, and is always current, since it is based on established design theories. DF *****

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Restoration Hardware

DEAN FARRIS INTERIOR DESIGN



I was again thrilled to see in the May issue of House Beautiful another item I had recently used in the Edelman project here in Naples. HB featured the Restoration Hardware double vanity I specified for the master bath remodel for Mary Edelman, of Edelman Leather fame.


Here's a shot of the installation... Enjoy! DF *****

Monday, April 25, 2011

Room of the Week, Albert Hadley

A classic sixties interior by Albert Hadley


This handsome room, created perhaps fifty years ago by my good friend and mentor, Albert Hadley, foreshadows his later work, giving one an idea of his talent and sense of style. The octagon mirror and large scale chandelier are hallmarks, as well as the classic sofa, and the "skyline" of different heights he placed in the space. I love the fur rug and the David Hicks looking modern table. Notice the lack of "color". This room would still be considered up to date all these years later. A testament to Mr Hadley's good taste and classic point of view. Enjoy! DF *****

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Lunch With Loreen

Sofa in Ralph Lauren raw silk, chairs, Baker, built-ins by Tony Felice







Duralee chintz, Hickory Chair side tables





Chairs, Milling Road, Wallpaper, Brunschwig et fils, I need to place a rug here since I don't like the tile pattern next to the wallpaper!




I'm so pleased to be lunching with my dear client, Loreen, who was referred to me by Albert Hadley's office, before it closed. Loreen has great taste, and a New Englanders love of classic, timeless decorating. We're meeting at Cafe' Normandie. Then I must go wallpaper shopping with William at Webster and Company... and speaking of wallpaper, this Brunschwig trellis I used in Loreen's dining room, by my friend Chuck Fischer, is featured in the May issue of House Beautiful, in a lovely John Volk house in Palm Beach decorated by Meg Braff... John Volk designed the Port Royal Club, here in Naples.


Loreen and her husband, Matt, keep this place in Naples - on Gulf Shore Blvd North - and I was thrilled to see it published on the Hickory Chair blog, called Made By Hickory Chair. Here's some shots I took of her Living Room, Master bedroom, and Dining alcove, which we are refreshing this Summer, along with the rest of the apartment. Enjoy! DF *****


Interiors by Dean Farris Interior Design, Naples, Florida

Friday, April 22, 2011

Amanda Jaron, Oprah, and Easter Weekend

Amanda 's Coke Bottle Bracelet










Amanda Jaron







Park Shore





I kicked off Easter weekend with a fun cocktail party (fundraiser) at the studio of Amanda Jaron, super jeweler, and a good friend too. I found this charming image of dear Amanda on Oprah .com from the Oprah magazine. Her party tonight benefited a childrens charity, the Undercover Angels, and she partnered with Carlisle - the fashion people- the clothes looked great with Amandas amazing jewel creations. What fun! www.ajaron.com/





I also found this image of the Park Shore beach, which will soon be my new neighborhood...stay tuned for more arresting shots of this beautiful part of Naples...one of many. Happy Easter! DF *****

Library Looks/Million Dollar Decorator










I've always liked the look of a proper English style library...here are a few I found in my ideas file. I hope to achieve this look for my new project in South Carolina. It's a classic, well suited to the georgian style house we are planning.



Finally, Bravo is coming out with a show called Million Dollar Decorator, which is what HGTV should have done years ago. I don't like the way HGTV producers promote the idea of "cheap" decorating and design. That's my opinion. It looked like Mary McDonald on the preview! (See my earlier post on her)



It's Easter weekend, and I wish all my friends and followers a very happy and peaceful one. Love, Dean *****

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Sonja Tremont Morgan



My other favorite reality star, from the show Real Housewives of New York, is Sonja Morgan. Not only is she a gorgeous lady, but she has a sense of humour, and is like a modern day version of Auntie Mame! I'd love to play her Patrick. She lives in a limestone townhouse, was married to a descendant of J.P. Morgan, and went to my alma mater, The Fashion Institute of Technology... Sonja certainly adds a measure of class and style to the show, not unlike my other fave housewife, Lisa van der Pump of Beverly Hills (see my post on her under Winter 2011). These gals are having a ball and don't mind sharing the fun with us! What's weird about these shows is they are somewhat scripted and produced - creating a kind of "faux reality" which is a bit strange to say the least. Apparently this type of program is a money maker, or they wouldn't be so dominant on the television. Catch Sonja in her adventures in TV land! Enjoy! DF ***** www.sonjamorganonline.com/





Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Albert's Cottage



Our wonderful Albert Hadley owned this small cottage in Old Naples, and I spent a lot of time there when he wintered in Naples. When Albert had this house, it was painted a dark green, and did not have a swimming pool. I introduced Albert to my clients David and Tom, who later bought his house! (They downsized from a larger historic property on the same street, known as West Haven) David and Tom then sold it to Rick, a fashion executive, who did extensive remodeling as well, and the house recently sold again to buyers I don't know, for around 2 million...During Albert's tenure, the house was published in House Beautiful...it also has a small guest house as well. Some of my most vivid memories of fun with AH are from this time. I also met James Andrew there for the first time, as well as Mark Sciarillo, another associate of the famed Mr Hadley. One night we all went to dinner at Tommy Bahamas, which is contained in a building adjacent to Mrs Tobin's building, which has stucco painted in colors selected by the late Mark Hampton. Naples is full of such tidbits of decorating trivia! Have a great day, XXOO Dean

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Decorator Scrapbook VIII

DEAN FARRIS INTERIOR DESIGN


Photo: Dean Farris


The bay view from Danieli, Venetian Village



Our new view, along the bay - we'll be surrounded by water, with the gulf of mexico on one side and the bay on the other! Positano, looking the best I could make it...I do like this full, layered look for the drawing room. These gorgeous water views were taken from the shop of my friend, Lynn Daniels, of the Danieli boutique at Venetian Village. I took these shots and the one of my living room. Stay tuned for progress as we transition from Positano to our new home in the Moorings... DF ******




Monday, April 18, 2011

Room of the Week, New Orleans

This stunning room, by London designer Nicholas Haslam, is memorable for its use of a bold chinoiserie style wallcovering, as well as Mr Haslams exquisite sense of color. I had posted about this room previously under Soniat House, the New Orleans boutique hotel, the proprietors of which own this room...I find it so charming and enchanting! The only thing I'd change is the chandelier, I'd prefer an old crystal/iron one, perhaps in rock crystal with some amethyst... but that is just me being ME! Enjoy! DF *****

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Richard Geary, Naples

South beach, Richard Geary Design

Naples, Richard Geary Design New York, Richard Geary Design
Richard Geary, a modernist designer extraordinaire, based here in Naples, had a first ever warehouse sale this weekend, and I was blown away by the artful beauty of his space, his taste, and his point of view, inherent in the totality of his office/showroom space. Just to give you some idea, here are a few images from his site - a super brilliant talent is evident! DF*****

Friday, April 15, 2011

Pure Urban Oasis, Naples






This evening, after work, Susan and I dropped in to PURE, at the Mercato, here in Naples. I so enjoyed the music - Bill's live jazz, the food - ceviche, and shrimp quesadillas, and the drinks, passion fruit martinis for her and sauvignon blanc for me. We saw some stunning people, enjoyed the handsome atmosphere, and flirted with the sexy boy and girl bartenders! Here, from the Pure Urban Oasis site, you can get an idea of the chic Miami style we enjoyed...and after we sat outside on the strada and enjoyed dates wrapped in goat cheese and bacon. Delicious! Enjoy! DF *****

The Shelled Mirror

Shelled Mirror by Judith Auclair on Scalamandre' wallcovering

INTERIOR DESIGN BY DEAN FARRIS


PHOTO COURTESY MORAYA BAY


My dear friend, Judith Auclair makes incredible shelled mirrors and objects, and her work can now be seen at the Miromar Design Center. She also has a site http://www.mashellart.com/ and is an amazing artist and designer to work with on most any project requiring this type of look. This example is not one of hers, I saw it in a model at the new Moraya Bay Tower - however, when I saw this one I mistook it for her work. Enjoy the weekend! DF*****


copyright Dean Farris Interior Design

Thursday, April 14, 2011

More James Lumsden!

James Lumsden (click to enlarge)

Charles de Beistigui

I couldn't resist posting about these beautiful rooms by Los Angeles designer, James Lumsden. His sense of color is extraordinary, and I admire his taste greatly. I also love this Napoleon III style bedroom by Charles de Beistigui. DF *****

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Room of the Week, James Lumsden


Native Angeleno, James Lumsden is brilliant! One look at his site, and you can see right away what a talent he is. This foyer he designed, in a Holmby Hills estate, just resonated with me. James you see, is a master of color, and unexpected uses of it. He has quite an eye! Check out this gorgeous space and visit his site to see more of his opulent and comfortable rooms. DF*****

More Cedric Dupont

Napoleon III



Cedric Dupont has an amazing selection of lighting



As a follow up to yesterdays exciting post, I wanted to add two more images from Cedric's amazing inventory, that I'm quite fond of. As I told Bill, when we were in the gallery, I'd love to purchase ALL of his inventory, and build a house to contain it! I simply could not find one single thing that I didn't absolutely covet. Cedric has a great eye - that much is obvious. What a raconteur, to build such a truly impressive business. I'm sorry I didn't have my camera with me, so you could see his beautiful building on Dixie highway in the antiques district. Enjoy the day, DF *****

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Cedric Dupont

Cedric Dupont

Amazing pietra dura table, Cedric Dupont
Dealer Cedric Dupont, in West Palm Beach, Florida has built the most beautiful and stunning 20,000 square foot gallery along Dixie highway! Today, Bill and I visited his amazing space, and I must say, I was totally blown away! Mr Dupont specializes in high quality french and italian 18th and 19th century antique objects and furniture... Elegant and stunningly beautiful Amanda greeted us at the grand foyer, and allowed us our privacy to just soak up the super elegant and gorgeous decor that has been created to house the collections. High ceilings show off huge chandeliers, tall doors like a russian palace frame vistas showcasing the most beautiful things imaginable. Clients include Donald Trump, Celine Dion, and Rush Limbaugh... Do visit the site or the fabulous gallery, but don't' say I didn't warn you, you will be stamped with style as surely as if you had flown Concorde to Paris for the bienalle! Ooh la la! DF *****

Monday, April 11, 2011

Farewell to Positano

Here I am, July 2008, portrait by William Rain

Before the curtains went up... Notice the frogs sitting on blackamoors, a la Duquette
A favorite shot, tres' Madeleine Castaing, chair from Albert Hadley


Nice mood ...


Lighting like Jaime Ardile-Arce


I used a favorite, Rose Cumming banana leaves


My friend Mary Hill loaned me this table


Where the flat screen used to be...


Looking like a blonde Mark Hampton...


I've very much enjoyed living and working at my Positano Place flat, here in Naples (Napoli) -but- as you all know, I do have some gypsy blood, and so, it's time to go, once again! Wait for it...it's a surprise as to exactly where I'm going! Here, I share with you dear followers, some of my favorite shots of the "salon" at Positano...over the past three years. Prior to Positano, I lived in another very nice condo at Bayfront, in downtown Naples. I do enjoy being near the water, and living here in South Florida, waterfront is a huge thing. Stay tuned for more updates on my progress! DF *****