SUMMER, re-arrangement!

DFID (c) 2016

In yet another incarnation of my personal living space, I wanted to switch out some furniture and accessories to give a more "Summer" look...

DFID (c) 2016

I simply switched the placement of the chesterfield sofa with the white matelassé' covered settee....then I decided to center the bust in the window, between the two topiary trees...as you can see I'm still using things I've had for years now.  The chesterfield now functions as a chaise, which I like for watching television or reading, and creates an asymmetric look...and in a nod to Sister Parish, I used my grandmother's quilt as a throw.

DFID (c) 2016

Looking west, towards the small dining area, still pretty much the same as it was...

DFID (c) 2016

All pictures were taken with my phone.  In this shot, to the left of the floor lamp, you can see a collage I made way back in 1978 !   DF *****

My concept sketch DFID (c) 2016



Credits: Walls - Benjamin Moore, mirror- Wisteria.com, settee- Jessica Charles,  jute rug- Feizy.  Garden seat- Naples Lamp Shop, parsons table- Albert Hadley.  Chandelier- Wilshire Lighting.

SIXTIES CHIC: Howard Perry Rothberg, II

Howard Perry Rothberg's personal residence, House and Garden, 1966

So, my blogging friend, Andrea (The Glam Pad) and I were recently conversing about designers of the past, who became iconic, and I started wondering who some of the old guard decorators of Miami (where Andrea lives) might be...and recalled my friend and one time mentor, Maurice Bernstein, (see AD) mentioning Howard Perry Rothberg, II.  I think I even recall seeing a stunning yacht interior in AD by HPR...

Click here  to see a fascinating 1966 story on his personal Coconut Grove residence, a charming small cottage, done in a classic modern style, that still looks fresh, 50 years later! DF
See here for how this house has been restored and updated! 

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FILM: A BIGGER SPLASH, Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton stars in A Bigger Splash

Every once in a while, you catch a film that you knew nothing about...and get completely blown away by it.  
This was my experience of A Bigger Splash...and with an Italian director, a superb cast, and a setting on an island off of Sicily, it would be hard to go wrong.  I was reminded of an obscure old novel "The Grotto" - by Grace Zaring Stone, and also of "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (Patricia Highsmith)...but I would urge you to see this film as it transports you into another world, beautifully shot (think A Single Man by Tom Ford) - just stunning and so inspiring.  

The next day I treated myself to some new Eau Sauvage by Christian Dior (I had drenched myself in it when I was in Nice years ago) and an herbal shower gel from L'Occitane, with my favorite eucalyptus oil.  Enjoy!  DF *****   

DECORATOR SCRAPBOOK 05.19.2016

Image via Bo-Ty florist, Winston-Salem, NC

Detail of a vintage chandelier in the residence of my client Charles Fleck, Naples, FL

One of my favorite rooms by mentor Thomas Britt, Napa, CA

An Andrew Martin fabric, Fitzroy, I favor

One of my pet projects, Fair Play, SC (c) DFID

While we all have endless things that resonate with us, as designers, we must always remember that people are more important than the rooms they occupy.   Am I known for stating the obvious? Yes.  Was Albert Einstein considered a genius? Yes. 

Sometimes the simple things in life are the most profound...but we do love to be mesmerized by an unusual arrangement of objects on a table, or a fabulously eclectic interior, exhibiting taste, a high level of imagination, and a wonderful sense of fantasy.  These are my thoughts for the day. Enjoy! DF *****

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GLORIA VANDERBILT, Then and Now

1970's

If one picture is worth a thousand words, then this one is worth a million!  The history, the excitement of old New York is summed up here.  The new film and the new book are fabulous too!  I gave the book to my own mother for Mother's Day this year.

2016

Above, the famous Rose Cumming chintz was used called "Carisbrooke" in the Beekman Place flat of Ms. Vanderbilt.  I love the accoutrement displayed on the table, especially the silver flask!  Michael Taylor placed a large order for Carisbrooke, at a time when the Rose Cumming firm was underperforming, and as the story goes, saved the day for them...
The decorator Billy Baldwin also used this chintz - similar to another one from Brunschwig and Fils...the brass "pharmacy" lamps aimed at the screen remind me of his studio apartment in the east 60's with the lacquered brown walls.  Enjoy!  DF *****   

FORTY YEARS OF DESIGN EXCELLENCE, Ainsworth-Noah

Winton Noah, Steve and Brooke Gianetti, Hal Ainsworth

Forty years ago, I met the wonderful team of Hal Ainsworth and Winton Noah...who back then, had a small shop on Peachtree Street, with housewares and table top linens...a boutique if you will, with le bon gout ...and while all these years later, the dynamic duo has now sold the ADAC showrooms they created, after closing the little shop~ they're still forging ahead and enjoying life. 
Not long after they moved into the decorative arts center, my mother and I ventured there to buy some things for our house in North Carolina.  My old friend, Nicholas, also worked there at that time, around 1976 or so.   
Here they are posing with Brooke and Steve, of Velvet and Linen (blog) and Patina Farm.  Enjoy!  DF *****

Patina Farm, Ojai, CA

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GEORGE BAKER HOUSES, NYC

George Baker house, New York, PART OF A COMPLEX BY Delano and Aldrich

Lovely patron party coming up for Richard Jenrette's preservation society ...

FUSTIC HOUSE, BARBADOS

Fustic House, via internet

We recently used these colors for an exterior color consultation on a significant residence here in Naples- (due to the privacy concerns of the client, no pictures may be used of the project.)  For the exterior stucco we selected a color called Oyster, by Benjamin Moore, and one called Seedling, also by Benjamin Moore, for the shutters...

Fustic House

Here, you can get more of an idea of the Oliver Messel charm that was executed - love the mellow patina of this property!  DF *****