COLOR: New Neutrals

DFID (c) 2019

I've always liked  slightly offbeat color combinations, and the more I experiment with them the more fun I have and the more I learn that the idea of a neutral can be just about any color depending on your point of view, and what you put with it.  Way back in the 1990s Albert Hadley promoted the idea of lavender as the beige of the 90s -this is nothing new at this point in time -however it becomes fresh when you actually have it for yourself as opposed to just reading about it in a magazine!  Albert was very inspired by the fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who was quoted as saying that pink was the navy blue of India.

Shown here I used a vintage Parsons table that Albert gave me many years ago which I refinished in a lilac color- mixed with a custom needlepoint pillow -the canvas came from Lycette designs in Palm Beach and my dear friend Louise Wilcox Cronan stitched it for me.  I also used some very personal things on the table such as a mercury glass acorn from my friend Mary Hill and seashells from my friend Judith Auclair as well as small dishes from my friend Nicholas Cardone.

The small book on the table which has had its dust jacket removed is sister parish design by Susan Bartlett Crater and Libby Cameron.  I love also looking at the needlepoint pillow and recalling how Louise worked for Kevin McNamara in New York.  A decorative decorators scrapbook, if you will!

DF.

PS: Happy New Year's!!!!

VERANDA: Micky Hurley

Micky Hurley Interior Design

I received my new veranda magazine the Paris issue January February 2020 and fell in love with the Paris apartment of Malu and Micky Hurley and their beautiful family -(five children)- in a 17th century "hotel particulier "- located on the right bank... The image shown above is from Micky's website - which I found very interesting as he is promoting the use of antiques -something we don't hear much about anymore.

However Mr. Hurley is from an aristocratic family in Chile and definitely has the credentials to live and work as an international decorator- Check out the Hurley apartment in veranda it's amazingly beautiful- And the Hurley family is not too bad either!  DF

SILKS: Tassinari et Chatel

Maintenon Flamboyant, Tassinari et Chatel

Recently while browsing Instagram I came across a post by noted antiquaire Mary Helen McCoy.
She was showing a stunning pair of chairs 18th-century dressed in a beautiful Lyon silk.
The firm of Tassinari and Chatel is the oldest in Lyon, dating back to the 18th century.  The  one shown here called "Maintenon", has beautiful metallic threads on a very unusual pallet of ruby red with Prussian blue.  Stunning chic of the 18th, still valid for the 21st !  DF

LAYERED: At Home

DFID (c) 2019

Having lots of fun continuing with the layered look in my Naples flat preparing for the holidays and the arrival of very important friends and family members.  Large pillow is Le Grand Corail, by Braquenie.  Henri Samuel used this fabric in the Paris apartment of Robert de Balkany. DF

ART: At Home

DFID 2019

I'm still enjoying this 1971 print by Andy Warhol which was deaccessioned from the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.  I'm enjoying the juxtaposition of this piece with the chair by artist Jennifer Graylock, in her custom silkscreened fabric.  Happy holidays!  DF

DECEMBER! 2019 At Home

Dean Farris Interior Design (c) 2019

I enjoyed having old friends Charles and Kevin over last night with William for some early holiday entertaining before going out to dinner.  Accordingly I spent time preparing for their arrival including adding some holiday decorations as you can see here with my beloved carnations included as always. DF

BRENDA: A Life

Brenda Diana Duff Frazier

I'm enjoying this biography of Brenda Frazier, called "Debutante" by Gioia Diliberto...sadly, the World's "Glamour Girl Number One" was exhausted by her wild life in the thirties and a mother who manipulated her like a society puppet, resulting in a less than perfect life.  She ended up as a recluse addicted to drugs and alcohol - but always had lots of male admirers.  Perhaps having it all is a reminder that we ought to be thankful for the simple things ?  Food for thought - DF

DAVID HICKS: Needlepoint !

Pillow Louise Cronan

 I love my beautiful needlepoint pillow!  Louise created the canvas, and I had it "finished" !  I think it's stunning! DF

PAIRS: At Home

DFID 2019

Pairs... An old decorator trick from way back...still, in a small space lacking architectural character, I tend to gravitate towards the symmetry of pairs.  Chairs, pillows, brackets, Objet - it's all in the mix- and by the way, I'm still enjoying my new floor, thus no rug - yet - !  DF

*****

FRENCH: Cedric Dupont

Cedric Dupont, West Palm Beach, FL

I always get a burst of inspiration from visiting the Dixie Highway gallery of Cedric Dupont...this image gives one some idea of his amazing inventory.  DF

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PALM BEACH: Elephant Walk

109 Jungle Road

The elegant former home of Mary Lou Whitney before she sold it to Barbara and David Berger- I'm not sure whether this house is still standing- according to the Palm Beach daily news
a Ms. Bilotti purchased the house with plans to replace with newer- I thought the pallet of beautiful Palm Beach pastel colors was lovely. DF

Dean Farris Interior Design 2019

STYLE: Pierre Frey

DFID 2019

I was delighted to find this beautiful pillow in tree of life by Pierre Frey - a touch of Pierre Frey keeps the doctor away -! it pulls all the colors in my room together which have headed into a very unusual pallet of Sevres' blue with Chinese red- similar to what Jayne Wrightsman had in Palm Beach many years ago-! DF

ART: Jennifer Graylock

Dean Farris Interior Design 2019

Here in my own apartment the artist photographer Jennifer Graylock created art for this chair she silkscreened the fabric-! Check out Jennifer and her work here ! DF

BROCANTE: At Home

Designer Dean Farris's Personal Residence

I always enjoy having a glass of wine or a martini when I get home from the office after a long busy day of decorating and consulting with clients- and love to share this image I created just for you!  DF

CLASSIC: Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill

From her book "The Life of the House"

Recently, I was perusing this beautiful book, by Lady Henrietta Spencer Churchill, called The Life of the House.  The image shown above, is from the house in Dallas Texas that Lady Spencer Churchill decorated, I found it very interesting, especially the combination of cornflower blue with the lemon yellow.  I was intrigued by the pair of Chinese low tables with cloisonné inlaid panels -something that my mentor Thomas Britt would have used.  This is a very cheerful sitting room, something that the English are brilliant at doing.  Enjoy!  DF

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STYLE: Bettie Bearden Pardee

via Bettie Bearden Pardee, Newport

I loved this image from the residence of Bettie Bearden Pardee, in Newport- inspiring for the Fall-Holiday season!
DF

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NAPLES: The Season, with DFID

 

 

Dean Farris

and

COTTON HOUSE, Interiors

invite you to

THE THIRD FLOOR

this winter...

 

for everything from a pair of custom toss pillows in delicious designer fabric with beautifully finished details to-

 

one beautiful room, or the whole house!

 

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* * * * *

 

 



ICED TEA: Cornelia in Flower Magazine

Beautiful Cornelia Guest photographed by Michael Mundy for Flower Magazine

A favorite New York memory is meeting famous C. Z. Guest and her beautiful daughter, Cornelia...here she is in her Templeton garden- and check out her fabulous iced tea recipe! (via Flower Magazine)...DF

Templeton was famous for its iced tea. People constantly asked for the recipe, and the secret is fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Ingredients:

• 2 quarts boiling water
• 8 herbal lemon tea bags
• 1½ cups fresh-squeezed orange juice
• fresh mint

Directions:

1. Pour 2 quarts boiling water over tea bags.
2. Brew for 30 minutes and let cool. Remove tea bags.
3. Add orange juice and serve over ice with fresh mint.
4. Enjoy!

SHINING KNIGHT: Ralph Lauren

From Left: David Lauren, Lauren Bush Lauren, Andrew Lauren, Ricky Lauren, Prince Charles, Ralph Lauren, Dylan Lauren, Paul Arrouet, and Jerry Lauren..

Great article in Town and Country about Ralph being knighted for his contribution to fashion !  Great timing with the film Downton Abbey coming out too...Bravo !  DF

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BOOK: Cathy Kincaid

PARIS: Feelin' Fall-ish

Stéphane Chapelle – 29 rue de Richelieu 75001 Paris – 10am till 8pm

September has me thinking of Paris...DF

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GARDENS: Penny Bianchi

Penny Bianchi in Montecito, CA

This article about the restoration of the house and garden belonging to designer Penny Bianchi in Montecito
after the second largest wildfire in California history damaged her gardens, garage and guest house- inspired me!  

I was intrigued by this image above, as it has so many elements I like in a house- a touch of age, decadence even, a bit of classical whimsy, a la her friends, the late Tony and Beegle Duquette... it's amazing, inspiring and even, yes, magical- that she (Penny) was able to overcome the devastation and destruction of her charming european inspired property... Kudos to the Bianchis !  DF

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STYLE: Michael Taylor

Michael Taylor

What could be more soothing and beautiful than this timeless and dramatic bedroom by the late Michael Taylor ? This chamber could just as easily be the work of the late William Hodgins also...so, I consulted with dear Stephen Salny, author of the book, "Michael Taylor Interior Design", and he confirmed that this room was designed by Mr. Taylor, for his client Eileen Michael.  Thanks Stephen!

Notice the big, heavy travertine cocktail table in foreground...the Giacometti slipper chairs, the gilt "frog" chair- and the Dodie Thayer cabbage tureen... the quilting on the bed hangings seems especially luxurious in this setting, speaking eloquently to the raised knot carpet in oyster...a place for sweet dreams...DF

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Floral Inspirations, LILIES/PALM: Naples/Charleston

Dean Farris Interior Design 2019

I always love receiving fresh flowers, and to me, they're a great luxury ... it's also a lot of fun to source greenery from local gardens, such as the owners of this house in Charleston did, (32 Legare)... enjoy!  DF

32 Legare, Charleston, SC

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MORNING COFFEE: Sunroom

Dean Farris Interior Design 2019

I always watch the morning light as it changes...from one season to the next- here in Naples ...

Dean Farris Interior Design 2019

Something about the morning sun hitting these topiary trees on my terrace intrigued and almost hypnotized me... DF

MOUNT AIRY: Circa 1758

The John Tayloe Emery family at Mount Airy

I discovered this amazing family house, called Mount Airy , in Virginia- near Warsaw- it was the first Neo Palladian Villa to be built in the pre Civil War colonies- sitting on 1,600 acres- and amazingly still owned by the 10th generation of Tayloe descendants!

Dining Room, Mount Airy

 This view above, shows one of the Tayloe ancestors in the portrait above mantel-

Orangery ruins, Mount Airy

This Orangery- "in ruins", is what inspired me the most from looking at various images of Mount Airy- the romantic nature of an old orangery cannot be overstated.  I recall reading how (decorator) Billy Baldwin was entranced by one of these at Wye House- an old plantation owned by relatives of Pauline Potter - later the Baroness de Rothschild-.

Mount Airy facade (flanking wings not shown)

Tayloe Emery, who now lives in Mount Airy with his young family, has an interesting background working with non profits to direct celebrities towards helping impoverished Africans- an interesting note since these old farms were sustained by slaves prior to the War Between The States-. Similar to owners of Stately Homes in Britain and Europe, the family resides here while also making the house and grounds available for tours, events, and weddings- portending a most promising future for this important piece of our nations history.  DF

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BEFORE/AFTER : DFID

Dean Farris Interior Design 2018

My Naples Living Room - before with carpet, and after with travertine floor- ! DF

Dean Farris Interior Design 2019

HOUSE: Painted White

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

I've always been drawn to a white painted house- like so many of us- the crisp look of the white painted brick against the background of bright green lawns and even brighter blue skies is a sight to behold... this "Monterrey" style house is facing the intracoastal, just off of Las Olas Boulevard, and is probably my favorite in a neighborhood where it would be hard to decide which one is the prettiest-

I also found this one (below) on Acacia, in the same neighborhood- it reminded me of the one belonging to my friend Louise in West Palm Beach- the awnings are something I'm very partial to- like a tuxedo!  DF



BOOK: Henri Samuel

Henri Samuel via AD

More Henri Samuel, so enjoying my copy of "Henri Samuel, Master of the French Interior"...by Emily Evans Eerdmans-
Enjoy this article by Emily on 1stdibs.... DF

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DUNMORE: Pineapple Folly

The DUNMORE Pineapple

Our good friends Jerry and Chris will be visiting this historic 18th century folly this summer -
One can if they so wish, stay in the folly-as it rents out!
A fabulous summer destination !  DF

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PARIS: Henri Samuel

Henri Samuel for Susan Gutfreund

More inspiration from the famous French decorator Monsieur Henri Samuel- for more of his work refer to the 2018 book by Emily Evans Eerdmans -
Enjoy!  DF

RICH READING: Elegant Emily Evans Eerdmans

Mario Buatta, AD

Summer reads from E.E.E... and to quote this fabulous connoisseur of decorative arts: "I don't know about you, but it feels as if summer has just arrived this very moment.  Could there be anything better to fill the long, languorous days than a delicious book -"

What could be better than learning from past and present authorities on design and decoration?

Emily Evans Eerdmans has a prolific portfolio:

CLASSIC ENGLISH DESIGN AND ANTIQUES (2006)

REGENCY REDUX (2008)

THE WORLD OF MADELEINE CASTAING (2010)

MARIO BUATTA, FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN INTERIOR DECORATION (2013)

WENDELL CASTLE (2016)

HENRI SAMUEL: MASTER OF THE FRENCH INTERIOR (2018) 

E.E.E. has also written and writes for AD and House Beautiful... teaches at NYSID,  has a youtube on her Hillwood talk - and one can follow her on Instagram: @emily_evans_eerdmans -Impressive!

www.eerdmansfineart.com 

ENJOY-!  (all books available on Amazon) DF

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“One of the lessons I’ve learned from Mario as a designer and friend is that life is for living. This extended to his rooms, which were pure joy. He was a magician pairing aubergine with cornflower blue, lemon yellow with watermelon pink. He also understood the importance of comfort, something he often lamented that many of today’s 'curated' interiors are missing. But what I will most miss is his sense of humor—another one of his secret weapons, which earned him legions of friends, fans and clients.” — Emily Evans Eerdmans, co-author of Mario Buatta: Fifty Years of American Interior Decoration

NIMES ROAD: Classic Dream

875 Nimes Road, Los Angeles, CA

This amazing 1930's estate in Holmby Hills is on the market- 
With interiors by Henri Samuel- sited on 10 acres in prime west Los Angeles- its imposing grandeur inspires me a la Walter Mitty- reduced from $245 mill to $195 mill- google 875 Nimes Road to learn more and gain further divine inspiration - 

And speaking of inspiration, I was mightily
 inspired by the new Quentin Tarantino film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood -with Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie playing Sharon Tate - ! Stunning cinema verite' !  Enjoy! DF

*****

SUMMER: Notes on Living

photo: William R. Rain

Summer is for relaxation, but I seem to be busier than ever- what fun to catch my friend Pamela Smith on the Bravo television show "Below Deck Med" last night- !  DF

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STYLE: Marylou Whitney R.I.P.

Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson




Style and grace, she had it...Marylou Whitney !

VINTAGE: Chair, DFID

Dean Farris Interior Design (c) 2019

Carpet - Stanton, chair - Baker. I enjoyed capturing the morning light here in my Naples apartment when I was still using the beautiful Wilton carpet from Designers rug center- And below a shot of  beautiful vintage Greystone Inn at Roaring Gap, North Carolina which I recently visited with my family- DF