Southern California Dreamin

Courtesy Naples Daily News, interior by Dean Farris

When I left New York, fifteen years ago, I had every intention of relocating to Los Angeles. Naples beckoned, and here I am! One of my dear clients, who is also a friend, had for years a place in Rancho Mirage, and he often shopped at Kreiss Collection for furnishings. Here, I used his existing Kreiss bed in his Naples pied a terre master bedroom, to great effect. The vaulted ceiling and mirrored wall amplify the small space - while deep gold walls soothe the hot Florida climate, providing a much needed respite from the heat. Look for these fine furnishings at Kreiss, here in Naples, at the Mercato. (91st Street North at Tamiami Trail North, just north of Vanderbilt Beach Road) . Enjoy the upcoming Summer weekend! DF *****

Shopping for Roberta

Our dear friend, Dr. Roberta Horton, is a kind and generous lady, and William and I are helping her with a cosmetic make-over on her foyer, kitchen, hall, dining and living rooms...We chose to go with cocoa brown walls, and cream textures for her upholstery, and a pale blue ceiling...her many collectibles will be sorted and edited, and we'll re-hang her art collection...a new chandelier, and some drapery panels will finish the look.... stay tuned! DF *****

Kreiss and Design West at Mercato, Naples

Dover Collection, KREISS

The most beautiful and exciting new showroom has opened in Naples, at The Strada, in the Mercato. Looks vary, from clean, modern California style, to more trad French and Italian influences...stay tuned for some exciting news regarding this new venue!

Dean Farris http://www.kreiss.com/

Naples Morning, First View

I caught these beautiful shots early one morning, as I love to sit on the dock and have my coffee, watch the birds, and meditate as the sun rises in the east. A great way to start the day, and enjoy the breezes coming from the bay and the gulf.... DF *****

China Seas Chic - Bali Isle Room

I still vividly remember being in the former CHINA SEAS showroom at the Design and Decoration building on Third Avenue, in Manhattan. What struck me then, as now, almost 20 years later, is the absolute freshness, clarity and clean style that was and is presented. QUADRILLE sent this image to me, via e-mail, and I thought it was an outstanding example of how a stunning textile can add va va va voom to a room! This room is known as the Bali Isle Room. I love it when rooms have names, as some houses often do. I have worked on houses with names such as Bella Vista, Rebel's Rest, and Diamond Pointe... always with the utmost pleasure and pride. I certainly do wish you all a wonderful late June weekend! DF *****

Room of the Week, Barry Dixon

Interior design by Barry Dixon

Virginia based designer, Barry Dixon, has a unique style, and I wanted to spotlight this entrance hall he designed, as my "room of the week". While I adore the interesting salon style arrangement of varied furnishings - I am not as enamored of the wall finish, although am sure it's gorgeous in the actual space. Often, a picture of a room or space doesn't fully capture the essence of what the designer has created. Another feature of the room I like very much are the unusual textiles on the sofa and chairs, and the rondelle the designer used in the center, under the chandelier. I'm not sure, but I think that this house is located in North Carolina, on Lake Norman, near Charlotte. I could be way off. Anyway, think outside the box when planning your entrance hall, with your decorator, should you be so fortunate! Enjoy the upcoming weekend my friends. DF *****

Terrific TerraMar Holiday

These were hanging on the privacy fence by the pool...

Charming monkey sculptures

Rat Pack Modern

It was Stonewall Pride Weekend

Bake yourself!

William and I had such fun this past weekend over in Lauderdale - we just needed a break and a change of scenery. I had fun taking these shots at the "guest house" we stayed at, called Worthington. Our first dinner out was at the newly redesigned Sea Watch ... http://www.seawatchontheocean.com/ the filet of sole was so good, and also enjoyed J. Alexander's http://www.jalexanders.com/ as well as Luigi's a wonderful new Las Olas pizzeria (across from The Floridian) http://www.luigiscoalovenpizza.com/ The best was meeting so many interesting new friends, from all parts of the world, and just relaxing by the pool. Have a great Summer!

Hung above the north pool

Deering Estate at Cutler, South Miami

An allee of Poinciana trees, with a mango grove to the left

First view of the conjoined houses at end of allee to the right...

The Stone House, 1922

I feel very Palm Beach here behind the house...those arches are so Mizner

I found the siting of the house(s) rather strange...

as you see two disparate styles side by side...

WARNING!

This room is called the ballroom...great proportions! I think it is a double cube

My fave fireplace in an upstairs chamber...

Looking down on the parking forecourt from a chamber

The beautiful coral stone parking court

All the pages were ripped out...

One of the Deering heirs...

I caught this from the loggia, so peaceful

Taken from Richmond House...love the shutters

Stone House, after hurricane andrew blew through

Richmond House, where the dining and cooking took place

Great vintage pantry in Richmond House kitchen

Yesterday, Bill and I found ourselves in South Miami, at the beautiful and historic Deering estate, now a Miami-Dade Park and house museum...the grounds were lovely, and we wandered through the houses and the gardens on a self guided tour. Charles Deering was a half brother of James Deering (Vizcaya) and owned a castle in Spain as well as a Sitges house he converted from an old hospital...in 1921 he acquired the Richmond House Hotel, in Miami, and converted it into a private residence, while commissioning the architect Phineas Paist to build an adjacent property, known as The Stone House...a MedRev structure - he valued his art collection so much that no kitchen was included....and his wine cellar was one of the largest in the country, built during the prohibition era...Mr. and Mrs. Deering only wintered there for about five years before Mr. Deering died, age 75. The Deering Estate Foundation was created in 1989. I urge you to visit this amazing property, as a great follow up to the more opulent Vizcaya House and Gardens - http://www.deeringestate.org/ DF*****

More Napa News

Here's another shot of the Swanson Vineyards installation that Tom Britt designed - see yesterday's post....and do have a great weekend! PS, don't forget! Sunday is Fathers Day! DF *****

Room of the Week, Napa Valley

You've gotta love this image, from the Swanson Vineyard - designer Tom Britt created his magic there at the Sip and Salon... another brilliant Alexis idea.... got a kick out of seeing old friend Konstantine Konkanias on the BRAVO show "Million Dollar Decorator" last night...and Mary McDonald has been emailing me on Facebook, so of course I have to watch this amusing show. Have a great weekend! DF *****

Flag Day and Remembering ET

I enjoyed watching the GOP debate last night, and felt that Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain were the other standouts, besides our front runner, Mitt Romney...how appropriate that today is Flag Day! Keep an eye out for the July issue of AD, as Elizabeth Taylor will be featured! Also just got a heads up that Midnight in Paris is definitely worth seeing, (thanks Jude)...and my clients are in Prague right now shopping for chandeliers, which pictures of are being sent to me by email...have a great day! XXOO Dean

San Francisco Chic

Ann Getty for Alexis and Trevor Traina

Tom Britt for Alexis and Trevor Traina

I had the good fortune to work for the amazing Tom Britt while I was in design school. (FIT) Tom has long worked for the Swansons, and he's Alexis Swanson Traina's godfather. Tom is such a great guy, and a huge talent. I was exposed to the world of the Getty's through my late friend and mentor, Tice Alexander, who, like Tom, hailed from Kansas City... Tice did extensive work for Ann Getty when they were decorating her apartments on Fifth avenue in NYC in conjunction with the extinct firm Parish Hadley... Billy sold this peacock shown in the dining room that Ann fashioned for Alexis in San Francisco! I met Alexis's mother, Elizabeth, through Bill when she came into the (Naples) shop he used to work in called Maison Auclair, now closed. this is all just more decorating trivia, but I wanted to share it with you, dear readers and followers! Enjoy the week! DF *****

Room of the Week, Joe Nye

photo courtesy House Beautiful

I very much like this bedroom, which belongs to designer Joe Nye, in Los Angeles, and was featured in House Beautiful...also I got a mild kick out of seeing my old friend from New York, Arthur Dunnam, on the show "Selling New York" on HGTV last night. Arthur is the head designer at Jed Johnson, and was always very kind to me when I lived in the city. I also as you know have seen another old friend from New York, Peter Dunham, on the new show called "Million Dollar Decorator" on Bravo. Peter lives in Los Angeles and is a decorator with his own line of fabrics. It seems that every magazine I open and every show I see on television is now featuring people I know from my New York days...very exciting! Have a great day dear readers. DF *****

Texas Talent and Style

Imagine my delight at receiving an invitation from a new client to visit her home here in lower Port Royal! She's from Texas, and is the most charming down to earth lady imaginable, with a great personality and a fun sense of humour! She loves Tory Burch tote bags too. Strangely, I had done another house on her street (Sabre Cay Lane) years ago for two gentlemen from Jacksonville, Florida who own a large boat (read yacht). And I do know the realtor my new client bought her house from, since it was his house she bought! Fabulous! Love it! Speaking of Texans, I also love and admire the Texan designer Jan Showers of Dallas. Here is a stunning and very evocative image from Jan that simply resonated with moi...(that's me in french) LOL. Off to work, must get up and dressed and out the door...As George Lopez would say, "hit me with a scone"! DF*****

Champagne Taste: Scalamandre'

I really enjoy drinking Veuve Clicquot, while perusing the new Scalamandre' wallpaper books... I have so much to celebrate, seeing old friends on "Million Dollar Decorator" - loving every minute of it, and just celebrating my new life on the beach, designing a from the ground up estate in South Carolina, and wondering which new project is coming up out of the blue. Still getting organized in the office, and looking forward to a great Summer. Stay tuned for more to come! Dean *****

Decorator Scrapbook XII

Tom Britt, New York

Kreiss Collection, now open in Naples

Love this rustic elegance

Christian "Bebe" Berard, Paris

Enjoy these random images! DF *****

Home Sweet Home, Cozy or Grand?

New York, New York

Naples, Florida

I love the over the top chateau Mr Clark built in New York City, now the site of the 960 Fifth Avenue apartment house... yes, its vulgar, overdone, and a bit scary, but back then the robber barons (his fortune came from vast copper mines) had unlimited resources...

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Here too, is an aerial view of my cozy cottage condo by the sea, which I love just as much, although I have no staff or servants rooms, it suits me and the way I live now. Have a great day, wherever you may be... DF *****