You Decorated My Life

Lions Gate, 1938, Paul R. Williams, Bel Air, CA

I was most interested to hear that singer Kenny Rogers, had recently sold his Bel Air house, called Lions Gate, completely furnished~and for a mere $46 million!  Adding an extra sheen of polish to this property is that it was a Paul R. Williams design...

One of the many books about and by Paul R. Williams

 You must read up on this iconic California architect, for his life and work were truly amazing...

Lions Gate foyer

Living Room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom Suite (3,000 sq feet)

Paul Revere Williams, FAIA (February 18, 1894 – January 23, 1980) was an American architect based in Los Angeles, California. He practiced largely in Southern California and designed the homes of numerous celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Lon Chaney, and Charles Correll. He also designed many public and private buildings.^[1][2] 

via Wikipedia

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Southern Style, McAlpine, Booth and Ferrier

via the MBF site

How brilliant to see the Nashville home of Ray Booth, and his partner, John Shea, in the April 2015 Architectural Digest!
Having followed their work for many years, I had never actually taken the time to review their site  ~which is beautiful, and inspiring...with offices in New York, Nashville, and Atlanta, they present a multi faceted approach to architecture and interior design. Enjoy! DF ***** 

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PS, See Susan Ferrier's Atlanta home 
in the latest Veranda here

Steven Stolman

by Steven Stolman

Was just reading about Steven Stolman's new book, "Confessions of a Serial Entertainer" and thought how great it is~he also has just finished another, on the famous Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse, which surely will be a big seller.  His cookbook, shown above, is very disarmingly written, in a fabulous kind of personal language that just oozes warmth, and gracious hospitality.  
Books are such fun to have around, and make great gifts too.  Let's just hope that books always have a place in our lives.  A book is your friend, one who never complains, and is always there for you!  Enjoy! 
DF *****

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Doug Meyer for DIFFA Dining by Design

Echo Design at DIFFA Dining by Design 2015 NY

One of the many benefits of blogging, is having virtual experience, and connecting with old friends and new ones as well~Doug Meyer, the designer and artist, created an installation, called "Heroes"-for the 2015 DIFFA fundraiser, and included my mentor and friend, Tice Alexander, along with John Duka, Tina Chow, Angelo Donghia, and Kalef Alaton.  Thanks Doug for a job well done! DF

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The Heroes’ Gallery pays homage to the artistic fallen heroes who were some of the first victims of AIDS. The installation provides a moment of reflection and creativity while honoring the design icons that lost their lives to AIDS. The installation’s nineteen portraits will be displayed in vitrines along the gallery walls. “My desire was for our space to convey a sense of creativity and thoughtfulness in design while also staying true to the mission of DIFFA,” said Luxe Interiors + Design Editor in Chief Pamela Jaccarino. “Doug Meyer executed a space that echoes that sentiment.”

Designed by Meyer, with furnishings provided by Flexform, the space is centered by the company’s Gipsy dining table, along with armless “Betty” chairs upholstered in the Italian manufacturer’s navy velvet (which also lines the installation’s vitrines). “We are pleased to bring great Italian design for a great cause. It is very important to have a beautiful room where you can create long-lasting memories,” explained David Levy, CEO of Flexform New York.

The portraits are influenced by medallions, cameos, intaglios and sculpted and carved busts, and are accompanied by historical didactic panels and labels. Some of the heroes include: Angelo Donghia, Jay Spectre, Alan Buchsbaum, Franklin D. Israel, Tina Chow, Leigh Bowery, Jacques Demy, Sam Wagstaff, Tice Alexander, John Duka and Kalef Alaton. “This space and these portraits were a labor of love; I hope that by creating this space that some of these innovative pioneers’ contributions and existence will become known to a younger generation of talent,” said Meyer.

 

Edward Celata and Robert Passal via Mon Oncle, by Rio Hamilton

courtesy Doug Meyer

portrait by Doug Meyer

portrait by Doug Meyer

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Tory Burch

Dodie Thayer - Tory Burch lettuce ware, via ToryBurch.com

Recently, I purchased some of the new "lettuce ware" from the collaboration between Palm Beach ceramicist, Dodie Thayer, and fashion guru, Tory Burch .  Well, let me tell you, those people at TB really know how to wrap a gift !  All I can tell you is, it's over the top fabulous~ so much so, that my designer friend, Louise, who lives in Palm Beach, flipped when she got her delivery.  It's quite beautiful and elegant in the presentation ~so, I've decided to save mine and give it to some friends for a house-warming! Thanks to TB and her company for such excellent service!  DF ***** 

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Pauline in My Dreams

Baroness Pauline de Rothschild

Last night, after burning my new "Saint Germain" candle from Ralph Lauren, I had the most vivid dream about the late Baroness de Rothschild....she was talking to me, and giving me a tour of her home ~and wearing a tailleur of a chic solid grey fabric, with the most elegant black patent pumps, which were quite low, and very flattering to her long legs and narrow feet.  I just discovered this blog , called the Esoteric Curious, which has a good bio of her life in a very palatable length, do read it!  Enjoy !  DF *****

"The great danger for an American woman married to a Frenchman is to become too French. To assimilate too much of another nationality weakens you. Though on the surface I might not seem to be 100 percent American, I have tried to remain as shaggy inside as possible."

Baroness Pauline de Rothschild

Fifty Shades of Green !

via Chrissis Staging Co. Boston

Saint Patrick's, always reminds me of green~ and I found this image so fun and au courant, since stronger colors seem to be coming back into the fold.  The fresh looking pink on these chairs reminds me of when I would haunt the Manuel Canovas showroom...the scented MC candles were always burning! Divine!  DF *****  

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Red Cross Showhouse, PB

Lisa Erdmann Associates

It's always fun to see the latest Palm Beach showhouse, for the American Red Cross ~ (39th annual) ! Click here
to read the whole article in The Shiny Sheet...

Todd Hase

Scott Robertson

Stephen Mooney

La Florentia, "The Birthday Cake House" 1925

Enjoy!  DF *****

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Decorating In Detail

via Amazon Books

Marine Linard, Alexa Hampton

Not only was it a great pleasure to have the beautiful and talented Alexa Hampton here speaking today, but it was also with the fondest memories that I recalled meeting her parents, Duane and Mark, in Southampton many years ago.  
My wonderful and also beautiful and talented associate, Senior Director Marine Linard was happy to have a moment with Alexa, above.  A grand time was had by all~ Alexa has that well bred way of down playing her achievements, only making them even more impressive!  Brava! DF*****

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Bunny Williams

Bunny Williams

It was very interesting to read today on the NYSD, about John Rosselli and Bunny Williams receiving the NYSID Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award~how gratifying for them to be acknowledged in such a manner, and at the famous Rainbow Room no less!  Alexa Hampton was enlisted as a dinner chairman, and surely if any two design professionals deserve such accolades, it would be Bunny and John.  Congratulations!  DF *****

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"Minimalist rooms can be so beautiful, but I can't live in one; I love objects too much."—Interior designer Bunny Williams, December 03

via Elle Decor

Alexa Hampton

Alexa Hampton

We're beyond excited to once again have Alexa Hampton~ famous designing daughter of the late, great Mark Hampton, coming down to Florida to talk about what's new, and review her latest book "Decorating in Detail" as well as her collections for Hickory Chair~Thursday, March 12 at 11:00 am, suite 290, reservations are required...239-390-5111 for more information on this exciting and informative event. DF

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Christopher Spitzmiller: Lamp Love

Via Sam Allen Facebook

Christopher Spitzmiller at Dovecote

Christopher Spitzmiller and Sam Allen

I really do think that, if I don't get a pair of double gourd lamps from Chris, I may have to just keep waiting...I almost bought copies at HomeGoods....but just need to wait ! I want either a chartreuse or peacock blue ~! DF *****

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Lulu DK for Duralee HC Monogram

Lulu, the designing daughter of the late Henryk de Kwiatkowski

More exciting design news!  Highland Court, the luxury segment of fabric house Duralee, is now offering LULU DK ~
Below, a few of her "Starboard" indoor-outdoor fabrics...

Lulu DK for HC Monogram Duralee

 Represented in Florida by MP Interiors...

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New line: OOMPH !!!

From the Oomph site, now available at MP Interiors

Super excited to see this new line, OOMPH, here at MP Interiors, Miromar Design Center!
Please visit our third floor showrooms for more information~
Enjoy!  DF *****

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