Where Art Meets Craft, Coquillage by Judith Auclair

All images courtesy Donald Auclair

I've known Judith Auclair for many years, and she is truly a talented designer. Her former shop, Maison Auclair Antiques, here in Naples, was a fabulous repository of the unique and the one of a kind. Recently, Judith sent me these images from a recent installation of hers, she has become a very accomplished artist using shells as a medium for creating superb works of decorative art. See my earlier posts on her work, and have a great weekend! Headed into AUGUST!!! Enjoy, DF *****

Boutique of the Week: BR Uno, Naples

Bruno Dhaine, proprietor, BR Uno

I have always enjoyed shopping in small, smart shops, known as BOUTIQUES. One of my favorites here in Naples is called BR Uno, on Third Street South, and my good friend Jerry is the manager there. BR Uno carries Hermes', Baccarat, Ice watches, Keith Haring, and Jonathan Adler, as well as delightful decoupage and elegant jewelry...today I picked up a small package of Caspari paper cocktail napkins, in a leopard print, for only five bucks, so not every thing is terribly dear and damaging to the wallet - follow BR Uno on Facebook, or stop in -they are located across from Sea Salt restaurant. DF*****

Amanda Jaron, FABULOUS!

Amanda Jaron, designer

Amanda Jaron is a force, a force of style, beauty, and smarts. A siren of sensual jewelry designs, and a sentinel of high art in the world of jewelry and fashion. Here she is, looking ever so smart and chic, promoting herself and her amazing talent to the world, all while raising her children, attending to her husband, (Steve) and remaining active in the Naples community. Look for even bigger things coming from the world of Amanda Jaron...things the likes of which you've never dreamed of, creations only she can produce, for your enrichment and enjoyment. Old Johnny Schlumberger would be impressed! Enjoy! DF *****

Room of the Week, Pelican Bay

An empty room, an empty apartment, what does one say? This is what we designers and decorators face when hired by a new client. The shock of the empty! Sometimes I think the empty space is so pure and beautiful, in an abstract way, however usually here in south Florida, we are confronted with these blank slate boxes, and often just a raw shell, with no floors, construction dust everywhere, and filthy dirty new windows partially covered in blue film! The imagination runs wild, and often instantly conceives the finished look, as good designers are prone to do...have a great weekend! DF *****

Scalamandre' Candles

I was delighted (pun intended) to receive the news that Scalamandre' has introduced a home fragrance collection, comprised of three scents: white ginger, mediterranean fig, and ocean. They come in chic squared glass containers, and are priced well at $45 each. Order now! DF ***** (Looking forward to dining at Angelina's tonight!)

Dream Kitchen: Wood Mode

Recently, I began an association with the Naples design firm, Interiors by Design West. Included in the showroom, along with Kreiss furnishings, is a beautiful kitchen display, by Wood Mode. I took this snap to show you one of the variations we can specify, order, and install with the help of our architect, Edgar Ramirez. Please do stop in and see this amazing display, with Viking appliances. You won't be disappointed. DF *****

Gunnebo, A Swedish Chateau

I've always loved the style of Sweden, particularly the 18th century decorative arts. Gunnebo Slot (House) has this wonderful room with a concealed door, reminding me of the Upper West Side apartment I shared with Tice Alexander, the Parish-Hadley decorator. Tice very cleverly had a concealed door (I call it a flush door) installed between the living room and the master bath, effectively concealing the passage from one to the next. I camped out on a futon near this door, and enjoyed that time in my life, as I was surrounded by his huge library of amazing books on the decorative arts...it was very enriching, and I almost never watched television, and we had no computer, i-pad, or i-fone...just a few land lines, a fax, and a typewriter! The estimates for clients were cranked out on this IBM typewriter, on triplicate carbon papers...I do tend to carry on about this simpler time, however, my tech phobia seems to have no limits! LOL ! Wish me luck in this brave new world! DF *****

Furniture For The Cure

Naples, Florida interior designer, Glenn Midnet founded this furniture line, in partnership with Platt, to create a fundraising vehicle for breast cancer. http://www.furnitureforthecure.org/ I'm most excited to start my own new business partnership with Glenn, in his new venture with Kreiss, out of California. His firm, Interiors by Design West, has forged a unique arrangement with Kreiss - and there is a very beautiful new showroom at the Strada in the Mercato, here in North Naples. Please stop in and see us! http://www.designwestfl.com/ DF *****

Room of the Week, Oatsie Charles

So, last night I was dining at Chops City Grill, on Fifth Avenue South, with dear Dickie and Troy... Dickie was with the CIA in Washington, which reminded me of my DC days and always hearing about the society hostess, Oatsie Charles. Earlier in the day, I had discovered at Barnes & Noble, a book called "Private Newport" by Newport resident Bettie Pardee, with unbelievable photographs by Mick Hales.... Ms. Charles is also well known in Newport - and then this morning I found on Vanity Fair a piece about Oatsie, with this interesting picture of her...don't you just love her very personal massing of books and objet? I had spent the day with Billy, sorting through endless bibelot at Roberta's apartment, after we had it painted and reupholstered for her (she has lived in this condo for thirty years). Stay tuned for some shots from Roberta's freshening - off to Grey Oaks today to push things around for Lauren. Enjoy the week! DF *****

Vogue's Book of Houses, Gardens, People

Imagine Valentine Lawford, Diana Vreeland, and Horst collaborating on a book! This one is now a collectible, selling for around $350. This is the book I mentioned having the apartment of the late Cy Twombly in its pages.... not to be confused with the re-edition in a different incarnation...look for it in your local used book store, hidden treasure! Or buy it on Amazon.com - Great classic lifestyle book! Enjoy the weekend! DF *****

Cy Twombly

I've always loved and admired the work of the late artist Cy Twombly. I first encountered his work in an iconic book, Vogue's work on houses, gardens and people...I don't have the exact title, but its along those lines...Mr Twombly married into an aristocratic Italian family and lived and worked in Rome... how romantic! His works soared into the millions of dollars, and a small drawing can fetch over $500,000.00. Here, I culled some favorite images from the web - enjoy the day! DF *****

Artistry In Fine Gourmet Chocolate | Gourmet Chocolate Truffles | Fine Handmade Dark, Milk & White Chocolates - Norman Love Confections

Artistry In Fine Gourmet Chocolate Gourmet Chocolate Truffles Fine Handmade Dark, Milk & White Chocolates - Norman Love Confections
Just had the chocolate and donatella (hazelnut/chocolate) gelatos! Yum!

Grey Oaks Redux

The french doors will be pushed out to enlarge the space

A typical Grey Oaks view, very SoCal...

This Chinese low table was in the master bedroom

We may rethink the Bollywood style tapestry...

I had the great pleasure of returning to prestigious Grey Oaks Country Club yesterday, to see my darling client, Lauren - we are going to push the living room wall out towards the pool, and make a kind of dining solarium for the breakfast table. I also will be rearranging some existing furnishings as well as incorporating some new furniture. Stay tuned for some progress shots! Here are the "before" shots I took in a very fast and casual way (point and click) See you soon! DF ***** interior design by Dean Farris Interior Design, Naples, Florida

Piccolo Marina at Indies West, Naples

Yucca Road, one of many tree lined streets...

One of my favorite views of Naples is here, at this small marina near Indies West...I also like this view of Yucca Road, looking east from GSB...we had a great time last night at the barbecue dinner thrown by Ellen and Johnny, at their lovely downtown residence. Johnny is a contractor, and he invited me to visit the job site (Albert Hadley's old cottage) where he is working his magic for the second time - so you know I just can't wait to do that. Friends and family, that's what it's all about! Have a great day, wherever you may be! DF *****

Fourth of July and Bastille Day

Off to Paris!

My dear friend, J. Troy Cardwell is celebrating the fourth with us tonight, down in Aqualane, and he leaves the 12th for Paris, to celebrate Bastille Day... Bon Voyage Monsieur Cardwell! See you later... Dean *****

MLS: N210002953 | 1720 Gulf Shore Blvd Bldg 12, Naples, Florida Naples Casamore

MLS: N210002953 1720 Gulf Shore Blvd Bldg 12, Naples, Florida Naples Casamore

Beautiful Stofft Cooney designed, BCB constructed townhouse units! 6,000 sq feet +

Midnight in Paris

I very much enjoyed seeing Owen Wilson in the new Woody Allen film, "Midnight in Paris" at the SilverSpot Cinema, here in Naples at the stunning new Mercato. His future mother-in-law in the film played the role of a decorator...and I always enjoy seeing Kathy Bates. A great way to kick off the 4th of July weekend celebrations...DF*****