Saturday, January 31, 2015

Legends La Cienega Design Quarter

Timothy Corrigan for 2013 Legends of La Cienega Design Quarter
While 
researching our upcoming guest ~ Timothy Corrigan
I found this stunning image of a window display he did for #Legends with Therien Studio Workshops, in 2013...What an arresting mix of lucite, Warhol, gilt boiserie, and a sputnik chandelier!  This fabulous ensemble reminds me of the old Studio 54 days and all the decadent FUN we had !!!  What do you think dear readers? LMK ! Enjoy!  DF *****


“The quintessential example of ‘Timeless Design’: An 18th century painted and parcel-gilt paneled room as the backdrop for a mixture of exquisite furniture and accessories spanning four centuries,’ ” says Timothy Corrigan as he describes his #LEGENDS2013 window design at Studio Workshops. “Each classic element is a testament to Yves Saint Laurent’s quote: ‘Fashions fade, style is eternal.’”
Hailed in Architectural Digest as “Today’s Tastemaker” and named to the AD100 list for the last eight years Timothy Corrigan has a large roster of clients that includes European and Middle Eastern royalty, Hollywood celebrities and corporate leaders. With offices in Los Angeles and Paris, his distinctive design philosophy of comfortable elegance has been featured in Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Town & Country, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and The Wall Street Journal. Rizzoli Publishing will launch a book showcasing some of his work in October 2013.

**********

Friday, January 30, 2015

Reading Assignment

Design books by Stephen M. Salny

If you've been a good student, and following my advice and teachings, you've now read at least one of the four books my friend Stephen Salny has published with the Norton Press~
All four of my copies are signed by the author! If you're not a big Super Bowl fan, get one (or more) of these and enjoy!  DF ***** 
**********

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Cap Ferrat by Timothy Corrigan

Timothy Corrigan used his Cap Ferrat fabric by Schumacher at the Atlanta Symphony Decorator Showhouse

More exciting news from Timothy Corrigan~ the designer who kicks off our LUXURY HOME DESIGN SHOW at Miromar Design Center, here in Florida...he used his Cap Ferrat fabric from F. Schumacher in the room he designed this year for the Atlanta Symphony Associates Decorator Showhouse, which is also featured in TRADITIONAL HOME.
 
We're certainly looking forward to meeting TC and hosting his book signing party on February 19th...for his book AN INVITATION TO CHATEAU DU GRAND LUCE', DECORATING A GREAT FRENCH COUNTRY HOUSE !!!  

We also have Nancy Brathwaite, India Hicks, and Jason and John from MADCAP COTTAGE coming !  A true designer blow-out! What fun! The excitement is building!  Stay tuned for more!  Enjoy!  DF *****

detail Cap Ferrat F Schumacher


*******
 

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Carolyne in Carolina

Carolyne Roehm, Charleston, SC
Beautiful and talented, Carolyne Roehm, has done it again! She has created a magnificent "Chinoiserie Room"~in her historic Charleston house, read all about it on her site!  Her taste is exquisite, and flawless...the touches of fuchsia are sublime in this Paris green room.The simple curtains show off the silk fabric, and lighten the mood, while the painted floor evokes Pauline de Rothschild at The Albany...a room for beauty's sake, and for nourishing the soul, and as the lady herself has said, the fulfillment of a long held dream.  Congrats Carolyne!  (it took two years to get the mirrors from England)  CR, the designers designer!DF *****  Here's a great interview with CR on NYSD click here ...

**********

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

True Prep


This is a funny book I keep going back to~TRUE PREP, by Lisa Birnbach and Chip Kidd, the follow - up to The Preppy Handbook....
Click here to order, or ask Buffy to do it for you! :)
Enjoy!  DF *****
*******

Monday, January 19, 2015

Fun With My Foyer Continued...

Dean Farris Interior Design 2015
What a designer challenge~ taking an awkward, non-descript and very small hallway, and making it feel like a "moment".  A Sister meets Lilly moment! So Yesterday, Billy walked in and just moved that other chair into the "foyer" ! I thought, "wow I've really rubbed off on him~ he's even moving furniture!" He also mentioned that he liked the placement of objects on my small console~ which delighted me.(that he noticed!!!) and while we were at Trader Joes, I picked up some fresh eucalyptus for those tole planters...which just finished them off!  Oh, and then he commented on how I had created vignettes in my apartment...which pleased me greatly- after all ~we used to have such fun arranging the objet and meubles at Maison Auclair, Naples.  Enjoy!  DF *****

**********     

Friday, January 16, 2015

Design Continuum

Dean Farris Interior Design 2015 
While reviewing the new Stephen M. Salny book, on the work of William Hodgins, Boston's preeminent decorator~ I was reminded of how design has a thread, which weaves through my fortunate Parsons faculty education, my European travels (sponsored by my loving parents) and the super talented designers I worked under while in New York.  As you know, I was trained by Tice Alexander, who worked with Albert at the famed Parish-Hadley ~ and just as Stanley Barrows "pushed" Bill Hodgins towards Sister and Albert in the 1960's, so he also guided Tice toward the PH firm in the 1980's...which is why I always mention the Bette Davis movie, "All About Eve" ~ you see, I was Eve Harrington to Tice's Margo Channing !  They always say truth is stranger than fiction, and let me tell you, it is! Suffice to say, nothing is giving me more pleasure right now than the new book,  
William Hodgins Interiors, it's a fascinating account of one designers journey over fifty years, and, continuing in the thread- weaving- through theme, Bill Hodgins worked for Michael Greer!  (I have a very wonderful client from Pittsburgh who hired Mr. Greer many years ago to decorate his French influenced home there, and today I get to work with those same Greer antiques in this clients Naples residence!) To add one more note to this theme, my dear professor Barrows died in the Naples hospital, which had been decorated in the 1950's by none other than Dorothy Draper, who, as many may know, was related to Sister Parish. Finally, I really got to know Albert Hadley well, when he bought a historic cottage from 1925 in Naples, and the rest is history!  Enjoy!  DF *****  
************
To order this book, click here

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Dudley House, London

Dudley House, design by Alberto Pinto, photo Jonathan Becker via Vanity Fair

Well, I was certainly one lucky boy, while working in New York at the flagship Bloomingdale's~ to meet the famous French Moroccan designer, Alberto Pinto.  Sadly, Mr. Pinto died in November of last year, but I vividly recall the Euro chic of the room setting he created for us, along with Jacques Grange, and Mario Buatta.  Mr. Pinto and his large staff spent six years remodeling and decorating Dudley House, in Mayfair, at 100 Park Lane, for the collector Sheikh Hamad Al-Thani.  Check out these spectacular Jonathan Becker images capturing the supreme elegance of the new Dudley House, once the in-town palace of the coal rich Ward family. Inspiring, elegant, and beautiful beyond description.  Enjoy!  DF ***** (images via Vanity Fair)

**********
photo Jonathan Becker
  

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Country Life

North See Vintage at Andrew Martin - MP Interiors
Before the Kardashians, Southampton used to be "the country" ~ (nothing against the Kardashians) but I wanted to share this new source of ours here at MP.  Please come in and check it out, or view on Facebook, it's a fun collection of place mats, pillows, and art collected over many years... Enjoy!  DF *****

**********

Friday, January 9, 2015

India Hicks at Miromar Design Center

via Mark D. Sikes

Stark, through MP Interiors, Estero, FL

We also have lovely, talented, India Hicks coming to see us, for a book signing, on February 21, at 11:00 am~ go to Miromar Design Center (click here ) to register !  Enjoy!  DF *****

**********

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Ruth Condit and Diane Torrisi, Miromar Design Center

Diane and Ruth, design professionals

From Fashion to Interiors the presence of blue and white is a constant motif, evident in more cultures than any other.
This combination is universally appealing and brings a sense of style to any interior. Ruth and Diane will touch on the history and symbolism of the color blue and demonstrate how blue and white work their magic on everything from tabletop design, to fabrics, accessories and more!

More exciting news!  Designers Ruth Condit, and Diane Torrisi~ both associated with the Miromar Design Center "designer on call" program~ will be presenting a limited seating talk, "Blue and White" on Thursday, January 22 at 11:00 am !  
Reserve early for best available seating! Diane and Ruth are great fun, and I've enjoyed getting to know them since starting here with MP Interiors~ I think you'll enjoy them as well!  DF ***** 
**********

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Peace on Earth

Stubbs and Wootton

Here they are!  After hearing what happened in Paris, I thought these seemed very appropriate.  They are just for fun!  Enjoy!  DF *****
*******

Monday, January 5, 2015

M P Interiors at Miromar Design Center

Ralph Lauren Home Collection

It's with great pleasure that I invite you to visit me at the Miromar Design Center.  The firm, MP Interiors, which I am now associated with~ is an agent company, representing world famous lines, such as Classic Concepts, DeGournay, LEE, Stark, Ralph Lauren Home, Schumacher, Oly, AERIN, and many, many more!  Our lines comprise the full spectrum of home furnishings~ everything one would require to complete a large or small project!  2015 promises to be the best year ever, and we look forward to seeing you in the coming months...btw, one of my new clients is participating in the (sold out) 2015 Naples Winter Wine Festival, and I'm so proud of them for their continued charitable involvement.  THANK YOU !!!  DF *****

*******