Carriage Trade

When I first relocated to Naples, I worked for a very established, high end furniture store called Robb & Stucky. Established in 1915, this store catered to Henry Ford and Thomas Edison...and has expanded into Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and Costa Rica. Unfortunately, the real estate crash has taken its toll on Robb & Stucky. The stores are now being liquidated - my client found this lovely Odom influenced sofa there, and I told her to go ahead and get it, since it's price was reduced by half. Stay tuned for more news on the loss of another fine carriage trade establishment. DF *****

Cottage Charm

Built in 1920

Nice beach cottage look

Shady Lane Cottage

Recently, I discovered a 1920's cottage for sale in Naples. On the same street as a 1956 cottage I'm considering, it exudes a kind of jungle charm, and intrigues me - especially since Albert had a 1925 beach cottage here, which is where I first met James - and I felt it was the best small house in all of Naples. Here is one I like near the one I may soon be living in. You can see that it has its own private "jungle" and that's what I find so appealing. Of course, going from a new condo to a mid century could present some challenges, however I think it might be something I could deal with. We'll see how it plays out. Enjoy the weekend! DF *****

Alexa Hampton in Naples!

I'm most excited to hear that dear Alexa Hampton will be here on March 17th, as part of the ongoing distinguished speaker series at our Miromar Design Center. I briefly met her father, the famous Mark, when I lived in NYC and he lectured at our school (FIT) - as a guest of the eminence grise, Stanley Barrows, the former illustrious interior design chair of Parsons, who went on to chair the ID department at my own FIT. I'm sure that Alexa simply exudes charm, and would love to hear her speak, as well as have her sign a copy of her new book. It's very exciting to have New York designers coming into town to speak, it adds a lot of sparkle and zest.

I was so pleased to get a nice message from another top New York designer today, on his lifestyle blog, Thanks Brad! Also, Jennifer Boles of the Peak of Chic in Atlanta, has added me to her blog list, and Leta Austin Foster of Decorating With Sheets in Palm Beach has done so as well, which makes me very proud and feeling included in the blogging loop of the decorating world. It is quite fun and interesting to participate in this aspect of our profession. Enjoy! DF *****

Trophy Room, Naples

Room by Dean Farris Interior Design

I designed this room about five years ago, with the help of Tony Palladino, the builder. We created the room as a new wing addition on to the existing house, which I also decorated. This shot by Doug Thompson, shows the upper portion of the wing, prior to the installation of 75 trophies from big game hunting - the owner has over 150 - and shoots with people like George Herbert Walker Bush, and others you may have heard of. This room has gotten better with age, as the owners wife has a special way of personalizing a room with accessories, objet trouve', and things she already owns.

The one thing I did not want to include were two "recliners", however the man of the house asked for them, so I conceded to his wishes. Otherwise, I was free to select whatever I liked, and was given a VERY GENEROUS budget (carte blanche). I have since also done the other trophy room at their ancestral home up north, known as Rebels Rest. What a lovely client, and a truly fun project! Enjoy! DF *****

Designer Profile: Jeff Lincoln

Interior design by Jeff Lincoln
Photo: courtesy New York Social Diary

I first admired Jeff Lincoln's work at a Kips Bay Showhouse. It was a brown room, beautifully detailed with cream, bone, and off white furnishings. One of my favorite palettes. Recently, his apartment was featured on NYSD, and I clipped two of the shots for this post. Jeff is not the typical decorator one may think of- he plays golf and comes off like a Wall Street money manager. Anyway, I like his work very much, and the fact that he runs his business like a business, which is, as the french say, comme il faut. Enjoy! DF ******

Interior Photography

Living Room by Dean Farris Interior Design

I very much enjoyed meeting with top interior photographer, Randall Perry, this morning in my office. www.randallperry.com Randall has offices in New York, Cape Cod, and Naples, and has been photographing interiors since 1986. Recently he shot the 2011 ASID Florida South Designer Showhouse, and did a fabulous job of it. While I took the shot above, with my digital, I very much look forward to working with Randall on an upcoming design project! Enjoy the day! DF ***** (photo: Dean Farris)

Shop 'til You Drop!

Bruno Dhaine

Wilma Boyd

The Shops! The Stores!

I had such fun today, while running errands, I spontaneously went on a mini shopping "spree" -since I had to get something for Billy's birthday (he calls it the un-birthday). Wilma Boyd of Preferred Travel, here in lovely Naples http://www.preferrednaples.com/ had suggested I try ViVi for lunch, and I did check it out, it's fab! (Thanks Wilma). http://www.viviristorante.com/ Wilma heads up the hottest travel agency in town, so of course she knows what's hot and what's not. In the same large shopping centre, I discovered POTIRON, a french housewares place, the only one in the U.S - seven in Paris, two in Montreal - a cross between Pier One and Pottery Barn, only more modern...where I picked up a divine rose scented candle, and a set of four Murano like glasses... LOVE! (Potiron is french for pumpkin) I also made pit stops at Godiva (Valentines Day chocs still on sale 50% off) for dessert truffles and The Body Shop, for some coconut body wash, scrub and cream for dear Billy. Yesterday, Jerry and I finally connected for brunch, and I received for MY birthday a darling glass decoupaged dish from Bruno Dhaine with a quote from Oscar Wilde! Plus, a pair of lovely Christofle demi tasse spoons - which match my pattern (Chinon) Thanks Jer! What fun I have been having due to all of this RETAIL THERAPY!!!!!!!! (Check out Potiron on Apartment Therapy) I say, shopping is quite a jolly sport! Do tell ! Enjoy! DF ******

Cedric DuPont puts French spin on antiques

Cedric DuPont puts French spin on antiques

I first met Cedric DuPont about ten years ago, when his shop was still on the island, near Worth Avenue. A very warm and charming person, and his floors were of parquet de versailles - which made a lovely creaking sound as one gingerly walked on them. I am way overdue for a visit to his new space on Dixie along antiques row. This profile on Cedric, from todays Palm Beach Daily News is a great introduction to a most fascinating and knowledgeable gentleman, and I'm sure you'll find yourself in his gallery soon, making arrangements to purchase something you never knew you couldn't live without! DF *****

Dream Drives: Porsche Speedster

My old condo, reflected in the glossy Porsche paint!

Speedster in March 2011 Architectural Digest

Special magazine for enthusiasts

Great book!

The all new Speedster

I called her Frenchie, due to the color - like French's Mustard

My Porsche in my garage, tres' sportif!

Bradley loves to drive!

I had a ball driving my Porsche Cayman, which I owned for almost three years. Highly impractical for a decorator and his samples and objet, I traded it for a much more practical and still fun Nissan Versa. I still love the Porsche marque, and plan to have another soon, as a second car just for pleasure. Architectural Digest is currently featuring the new Speedster, a cool piece of machinery for only around $200,000.00 or so. (The Cayman was affordable luxury at about $45,000.00) I found this amazing art portrait of a Porsche while checking out the site for Bayfront Marina and Condominiums, where I once owned a place. This image inspired me to post about Porsche today. I've also been fortunate to know Susann Miller, who helped to found the Everglades Porsche Club, and creates books of ephemera on the car such as this one here. If you really want to feel the excitement of driving, I suggest Porsche. Prior to the Cayman, I was driving a lovely Mercedes-Benz CLK350 coupe, which became a little too safe and predictable, however I plan to purchase another Mercedes in the future, since I covet the vintage and classic models. Enjoy the weekend! DF *****

Ralph Lauren, American Idol

While I've always worn Ralph, and modified it to suit my taste, I do think that he is a total genius, and admire his work intensely. Imagine starting out with ties, and arriving at where he is today, a self made fashion mogul...here is the latest prep look updated by RL for 2011, which I like very much.

On another note, that top television program, American Idol, caught my interest last night. I'm torn between Lauren Alaina (a Georgia girl), Haley, Pia, Thia, and Ashthon... they are all so incredibly talented and such beautiful young ladies. Good Luck girls!

Enjoy the start of another fabulous fun filled weekend. DF*****

Mrs. Roehm at Ainsworth-Noah!

Carolyne, Lisa, Winton, Hal

Great shot!

A small sample of the treasures at Ainsworth-Noah

My old friends Hal and Winton, from Atlanta (see all three of their homes in back issues of Veranda) just emailed me to let me know that they are continuing the business (Ainsworth-Noah, the premier design source in the south) after 35 years....and shared some party pics from when Carolyne Roehm was visiting them recently. I still remember when Dottie and I bought some things from them for our house back in the late seventies! And dear Nicholas helped us with our selections. Hal and Winton have a fabulous penthouse in the same towers as our friend Jennifer Boles, from The Peak of Chic...I hope to see them soon - since am now working on a large project in South Carolina. As Albert always says, the continuity of madness prevails! Enjoy! DF ******

Room of the Week, Tobi Fairley

Room designed by Tobi Fairley

QUADRILLE

Fabulous Tina, from the design blog called The Enchanted Home, posted about green today, and I absolutely fell in love with this Tobi Fairley room, which I believe is her own personal living room...isn't it just so fresh and charming? I've always liked one color paired with white, and so I chose to also share this image from Michael at Quadrille featuring blue with white, a true time honored classic, forever! Tobi, if you see this I do hope that you'll let me know and please do correct me if I've incorrectly credited your room! I'm a big fan of yours girl! I first discovered you on facebook, and have been following you and your work ever since. Congrats on a job well done. DF *****