PHOTO: The Lost Petite Salon

This little jewel box of a room was my dream and inspiration for the past two years...

BOOK: Mario Buatta, Anatomy of a Decorator

So excited that our wonderful friend, Emily Evans Eerdmans, along with first rate publisher, Rizzoli, is coming out with this new (the second one) book about our dear Mario... expect to see it in late September, as per Emily. The legacy and legend of fabulous Mario lives on forever! He was a genius, and a wonderful, talented gentleman. With a foreword by the divine Patricia Altschul, and charming book design by the Pandiscio Green agency - you won't be disappointed, I can assure you! DF

IN VOGUE: Andre' Leon Talley

Celebrating #blackhistory as it's now Black History Month...so enjoying the ALT memoir, entitled "The Chiffon Trenches" ... Enjoy ! DF (PS: auction going on now at Christies !)

Cottage CHARM: On the Market !

Our wonderful and beautiful small house, dubbed "Periwinkle Cottage" (due to the abundance of vinca flowers, aka periwinkles) is now listed for sale through Courtney Dorsey at @banyanrealty (IG) in old Fort Myers...check it out ! DF

STYLE ! : Meg Braff

What fun to visit the design studio and shop of interior designer Meg Braff in West Palm Beach...the designer also has a shop in Locust Valley, NY. Her home there was recently published in VERANDA, and made the cover ! VERANDA also has voted her shop in PB one of the "Worlds 50 Most Beautiful" ! Be sure and see Caroline there and ask about the beautiful Graff collection of fine wallpapers. A must see stop on fabulous Georgia avenue in Old West Palm...! DF

KUDOS: Timothy Corrigan

Congratulations go to dear Timothy Corrigan, - decorator extraordinaire and based in Los Angeles and Paris! Here's his latest cover (Vogue Living) DF

DESIGNERS OWN HOME: Salon Style

For many years, I had wanted to have a small jewel box of a room - for showcasing some of my favorite objects, furnishings, and works of art... so finally, after changing addresses around forty times...this is what I came up with ! Small yes, at only about 9 x 12' with two windows and two doors- it would be considered small even for a walk in closet ! But sometimes, its not about the size, more about the STYLE ! Dear Sister Parish converted a small closet in one of her Fifth Avenue apartments into a tiny but oh so charming guest room for a beloved grandchild. Sheila LaBrecque of New York and Boca Grande, Florida - referred to an out building on her Gasparilla Island property as a "snooze box" ! I craved a kind of revival 18th century opulence, inspired by places such as the Hotel Lambert in Paris, the Musee de Camondo and the apartment of Madame Coco Chanel on Rue Cambon, also in Paris. My bed is a fabulous Jansen model from 1960's Italian manufacture, topped with stunning jewel tone cushions in silks and velvets, on Sferra linens and blanket. The blanket, in ivory, comes off somewhat like a super trendy boucle' or sherpa. The cow wallpaper print, by famous artist Andy Warhol, is one of my favorite things in this space. And I adore the simple painted floor, which has since this picture was taken been mostly covered with a flat weave rug in rosy tones... Enjoy! DF

CHARM: Charleston SC

One of the highlights of this Summer has been visiting with family in Charleston...we had a ball and even though the temps were soaring, managed to stay cool...it was fun to see Whitney Sudler-Smith driving his mothers Rolls-Royce down Rutledge Avenue on the way to her majestic (yet cozy) mansion -called Mikell House...formerly used for many years as a public library, Pat Altschul has transformed it with the help of her late friend, the decorator Mario Buatta (@mariobuatta) into a fantasy of an Italian villa in old Charleston, which was founded in the 1600's and is known as the Holy City. The town was a refuge for those escaping religious persecution for centuries...

SUMMER READ: Growing Up Getty

Looking forward to this vicarious ride through the adventures of "Growing Up Getty" - a fabulous new book by author James Reginato...Enjoy! DF

SUMMER: Cool

Although currently am working on 8 houses plus one restaurant...will still find time to say cool this Summer ! DF

GIVENCHY: decorative

Exciting news... June 8th Christies will be selling off some goodies from the collection of Hubert de Givenchy

MAY: Decoration by Otto

My mothers' decorator often mentioned the fabulous Otto Zenke, who was a decorator in Greensboro, North Carolina...he (Otto) still inspires me with his love of English antiques, good fabrics, and attention to detail - both in the interior architecture and the furnishings...