Monday, December 30, 2019

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!!!!

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

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

Saturday, December 14, 2019

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


Monday, December 9, 2019

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




Sunday, December 8, 2019

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

Monday, December 2, 2019

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