Orange + Pink !

Between Breast Cancer Awareness (Pink) and Fall-Halloween (Orange) lately I've had these two colors on my mind....DF*****

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Inspiration: Victoria Press

via Habitually Chic

The late English designer, Victoria Press, whose Cheyne Walk house in London was purchased by Michael Bloomberg, has inspired me with her shabby elegant style~ one that I admired when living in the U.K. back in the late 1970's...see more of her splendid townhouse on Habitually Chic or T the magazine of the NY Times.  DF *****

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A Fond Summer Memory

Britt estate, Seashells, I-fone photo: Dean Farris

There was something very sweet and quite special about visiting Tom and Julie Britt after all those years...as if we had just seen each other last week, when in reality, it was more than 20 years since we last met! 
I had taken some random shots of the original house, (where Tom stays), and found this one in my files, and thought of sharing this charming one with you~this table was in the dining room, or Salle A Manger as my late friend Lord Jeremy Fry might have called it.   The simplicity of just those shells, arranged so casually, struck me as nothing short of pure genius.  After all, the sea is not too far away from this house, and so, it's quite suitable.  DF *****

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M I A M I design dist/Wynwood art dist 10/15

Soyka, Miami

Lunched at Soyka...I had a chardonnay by Starmount and a pizza margarita.. very good...

Seen at Soyka, Miami

Miami Design District

Mecca ! Miami Design District

Designer Steve Matable, Miami Design District

Versace boutique, Miami Design District

Louboutin boutique, Miami Design District

Miami Design District

Miami Design District

Billy at Wynwood Arts District

Poster boy for Miami, Johnny Depp

Shopping as an athletic event..."power shopping" as Steve calls it...we had a ton of fun...!  DF ***** (I think we hit about 16 boutiques, many of which have only recently opened)  See the site link for more info (yesterday's post)

Shopping: Monday is for Miami

Miami Design District

On Monday, I'll be in Miami, with fellow designer, Steve Matable, (and Billy) for an exploration of the fabulous Miami Design District click aqui for more info...we'll probably do lunch on Lincoln Road, and may hit the Wynwood Arts District as well.  Stay tuned for my report back on M I A M I  !!!!!

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Million Dollar Listing, Naples

A multi-million dollar property, Mediterra CC, Naples, Fla.

Life is funny sometimes~ I'm working on a property for a top realtor here in town, and then I see the program "Million Dollar Listing, Los Angeles" ~ which is just too funny.  My client handles pretty much listing only properties over a million dollars ...since you don't get too much in Naples for under that. 
So, last night I had a fabulous burrata for my first course, at Cote d'Azur, one of the many fine French dining establishments here in town.  I could have stopped with that, since it was so heavenly.  I was just surprised that the server refused to ask the chef to prepare a simple endive and beet salad to order for a special request, but I suppose those kind of things would need to be asked for in advance.  They also do not have a full liquor license, which was surprising.  So you would think that perhaps a sommelier would have encouraged us to order at least one bottle of wine...hmmm...
Enjoy!  DF *****

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Happy Birthday RL !

Ralph Lauren

Happy Birthday to Ralph!  An ultimate inspiration, icon, and success in business and in life.  When Albert Hadley was asked by the Laurens to visit their Fifth Avenue apartment for a consultation, Albert took in what magic Angelo Donghia had created~(an uptown loft in white)~and was so impressed that he said he wouldn't change anything!  Brilliant! 

This crisp image of RL himself reminds me of the time I was on the beach in the famous Hamptons, and saw Calvin come out in a white terry robe, standing on a terrace, looking just like one of his own models!  New York, you gotta love it!  DF *****

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The Michael Taylor Flower

Hydrangea, also known as Hortensia (Fr)

Did you know that Michael Taylor, the iconic San Francisco designer, loved hydrangeas?  Did you know that in French they are called Hortensia? 

I still recall seeing some dried (French) hydrangea arranged massively in the reception room of the late Robert Metzger's design office, when I worked there after having left Tice Alexander.  They looked great, even though they were dried.  They added a nice softness to the somewhat heavily Biedermeier look of that space. 

Michael would get these Chinese wood baskets and put the big hydrangeas, which he always called "hydraneas" in them, for a maximum floral impact, which was great for the magazine stylists and editors.   All in a days work!  Enjoy!  DF *****

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Tice Alexander Redux

Tice Alexander, Inc. clients Michael and Zena Weiner, via NYSD

I just finished reading the new Parish-Hadley book, "Tree of Life"~ and thought I'd re-post about my dear friend and mentor, Tice Alexander.  Tice worked for Parish-Hadley from the early 1980's on for about six years, possibly longer, and I was most fortunate to work with him in the early 90's.  Click here to read my post on him from 2010.  

The Weiners, (shown above) were fabulous clients we designed for then, and we did their Park Avenue duplex and their Connecticut country house.  After Tice died, the Weiners hosted a beautiful memorial service in the Park Avenue apartment, which I attended with my friend Mark Nelson.  Albert Hadley was there too of course.  Prince Michael of Greece, a very good friend of Tices', read a lovely tribute.   Click here to read his NYT obituary.  Click here to read a 1982 NYT article on Tice and other young designers working their way up.  R.I.P.  DF

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Kravet Naples Opening Party

Striking a pose, New Kravet showroom, Bunny wallpaper by Hunt Slonem for Groundworks

Last night, Billy and I attended the re-opening of the Naples Kravet showroom~ formerly located in the Miromar Design Center in Estero, Kravet has moved into a beautiful re-habbed building in downtown Naples.  Hundreds of designers and trade professionals showed up, and the catering and drinks were superb.  Congrats to Amy Jimenez and her team for a beautiful evening out!  DF *****

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Le Style Anglaise: Slipper Chairs

Slipper Chairs from Linda, Calling It Home

Really, what could be nicer than having a new friend?  And a new friend who "gets" you!  Nothing could be nicer~ and my new friend, and fellow design blogger, Linda, of Calling It Home, and creator of the One Room Challenge is a fabulous lady with a ton of style and California cool.  She just asked me if I'd like to have these beautiful, English style chairs, dressed in a sepia toned Robert Allen toile...aren't they great?  I think even Princess Pyne would agree! Oh, and Linda moved down here from New Jersey!  Small world.  Linda and I met through the blogosphere, and the rest is history.

DFID (C) 2015

As you can see, I've brought the fun ikat rug back into this small room, to break up the boring bourgeois darkness of the space.  I like the palette even better with these chairs added in to the mix.  They (Slipper chairs) look good anywhere you put them, and like Billy Baldwin, I love seeing them in a living room as opposed to a bedroom.  When Linda showed me the chairs, I was instantly reminded of Peter Hood, John Fowler's last assistant, and also of Albert and Sister, and Nancy "Princess" Pyne...even the Pyne chintz by Schumacher somewhat.

Slipper chair on ikat rug (Feizy)

Perhaps one day I'll get around to ordering the "Les Touches" from Brunschwig for these little jewels, although I would probably just slipcover them, since they look so handsome as they are.  Enjoy!  DF *****

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The Mysterious Mr. Mont

A James Mont  case piece, Todd Merrill via NYSD

If you read my post about the late designer (and mentor of mine) George Clarkson, you may recall that I had a small black lacquer desk that was possibly a James Mont piece.  The dealer Todd Merrill, in New York, specializes in James Mont- and this Summer when I was visiting Tom Britt in Watermill, I learned that Todd had opened a Southampton branch of his eponymous gallery.  These images are from the NYSD article on Todd Merrill the dealer-and a gent who is working in his Southampton gallery was planning to join us for dinner when we were at the Britt estate, but had to cancel at the last minute.  Do read the Antiques magazine piece on James Mont, it's very interesting- here by Gregory Cerio.

James Mont table, Tommi Parzinger cabinet, Merrill collection, via NYSD

Screen behind stairs, James Mont, Merrill collection, via NYSD

Lamps, James Mont, chests, Tommi Parzinger, Merrill collection, via NYSD

So then, to make things even more bizarre ~ fitting, since the story of James Mont is so strange and wicked~ my good friend Linda, creator of Calling It Home (design blog), just gave me these fabulous small Asian looking (James Mont looking!) tables!  I think she said they had belonged to her husband's grandmother.  They have gold veined mirror inset into the tops, and are in perfect condition.  Crazy for these!  Thanks again dear Linda!

Small table, possibly a James Mont? One of a pair

   
I'd purchased my writing table which appeared to be a Mont, from the fabulous dealer Bobby Gingold, back in the roaring 1980's - it was missing it's drawer pulls- but otherwise was in pristine condition.  Then, due to renting a very old truck, I suffered a fire, which damaged the desk, and after bringing it down to Florida, I ended up giving it to my old friend Martin McMahon.  I assume he still has it.  DF *****

Book: Parish-Hadley, Tree of Life

Great new book

How wonderful this new book is, and for those who may not know, the cover room belongs to New Jersey socialite Mrs. Nancy "Princess" Pyne...Albert was so proud of having retained the original paint in this room.  Click here to read an interesting (and funny) article by William Norwich...the new book, by Parish-Hadley veterans Bunny Williams and Brian McCarthy, is an excellent insiders look at the world of truly "high-end" decorating ( a term neither Albert nor Mrs. Parish would have ever used) and gives valuable insight for those in the trade who have an interest in this sort of thing.  Please pass the canapés ! Enjoy!  DF *****

DON'T FORGET

 

 

 

TO BUY THIS BOOK!

Richard Giglio, R.I.P.

Angelo Donghia, sitting under one of his Richard Giglio works, via AD

I've written here before about the time I was taken to the Manhattan residence of the late, legendary interior designer, Angelo Donghia.  What I may not have mentioned was the impact his collection of works on paper by the late artist, Richard Giglio made on me~ dynamite !

Richard Giglio, via Facebook, Raymond Diskin Black

Angelo Donghia

Richard Giglio, studio, via Facebook, Raymond Diskin Black

Angelo Donghia, 1976

You see, there was the most wonderful atmosphere of glamour, artistry, excitement, and freshness, in the house of Donghia~ it was sensational!  These pictures don't fully capture the ethereal and New York-in-the-seventies vibe that was going on, but as I've said before, the combination of satin, bleached floors, lacquered walls, and silver tea papered ceilings is enough to send anybody over the moon! 

Thanks to dear friend Julie Britt for introducing me to her friend Raymond Diskin Black and the world of Giglio...!  I'm hoping to perhaps acquire a Giglio of my very own one day.  Hoping this post inspires you too!  DF *****

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