DINING: The French/Decorator Scrapbook 2018

The French, Naples

DFID

DFID

Fabec-Young and Co, Naples

DFID

Main Street, Old Salem, NC

Walnut Cove, NC

DFID

DFID

DFID

Windward Way, Naples, FL

Looking forward to dinner tonite, with William (Billy) at fabulous and fun The French !  Bon Appetit !

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Shopping: Monday is for Miami

Miami Design District

On Monday, I'll be in Miami, with fellow designer, Steve Matable, (and Billy) for an exploration of the fabulous Miami Design District click aqui for more info...we'll probably do lunch on Lincoln Road, and may hit the Wynwood Arts District as well.  Stay tuned for my report back on M I A M I  !!!!!

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Million Dollar Listing, Naples

A multi-million dollar property, Mediterra CC, Naples, Fla.

Life is funny sometimes~ I'm working on a property for a top realtor here in town, and then I see the program "Million Dollar Listing, Los Angeles" ~ which is just too funny.  My client handles pretty much listing only properties over a million dollars ...since you don't get too much in Naples for under that. 
So, last night I had a fabulous burrata for my first course, at Cote d'Azur, one of the many fine French dining establishments here in town.  I could have stopped with that, since it was so heavenly.  I was just surprised that the server refused to ask the chef to prepare a simple endive and beet salad to order for a special request, but I suppose those kind of things would need to be asked for in advance.  They also do not have a full liquor license, which was surprising.  So you would think that perhaps a sommelier would have encouraged us to order at least one bottle of wine...hmmm...
Enjoy!  DF *****

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NYC Adrenaline Boost!

New York, NY

Off to New York this week, for some adrenaline, seeing old friends, theater, dining, shopping, and end of Summer fun in the Hamptons!

Stay tuned for updates coming soon to a screen near you! DF *****

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Jungle Fever

I-phone photo by Dean

I-phone photo by Dean

I-phone photo by Dean

I had a ball with Billy this past week, over in Lauderdale ...we stayed in this jungle like setting between the ocean and the intracoastal (New River) which I'd written about here previously.  My fave thing to do while there, besides eating, is walking over the Las Olas bridge and down into Idlewild and the Las Olas area...a beautiful older neighborhood with many exquisite homes, yachts, and boutiques.  Stay tuned for more later!  DF *****

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I-phone photo by Dean

 

 



 

P.S. Should you find yourself in Miami's South beach, check out Casa Tua hotel and restaurant...

Ralph's Paris

I was excited to see that Veranda this month had featured the new "cote d'azur" china pattern...along with some other RL accoutrement since the firm I'm associated with, MP Interiors ~is also showing it prominently displayed in our suite 149...with complete interior design services available.

Click here to visit the Ralph Lauren Paris and see the fabulous new Ralph's restaurant there...both the exterior and the interior design of this amazing hotel particulier on Boulevard Saint Germain are waiting for you to explore and to enjoy!  DF ***** Ralph Lauren, 173 Boulevard Saint Germain, Paris

Brennan's Redux NOLA

Brennan's Chanteclair Room, Richard Keith Langham

I was delighted to see my old school classmate (FIT) Richard Keith Langham, featured in the new "Garden & Gun" ~as he's completed total renovations and decoration for the venerable dining establishment, Brennan's of New Orleans, located on world famous Royal Street.It was a pleasure to get to know Keith and I'd love to reconnect with him sometime soon, oddly I had just posted about old friend, designer Ned Marshall, who lives in New Orleans.
Here's a smashing portrait of RKL in his NYC bed chamber...

via House Beautiful

Dear Richard, (or Keith as I called him) was not shy, and he was until recently, working in a converted bank in New York...he got started by working under the late Keith Irvine, and was then introduced to and worked with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.  I always enjoyed his confident and sparkling Southern personality, which was refreshing in the context of the largely Long Island and northeastern student body at FIT then.  Congrats RKL on a job well done!  Looking forward to paying a visit to famous old Brennan's! DF*****

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Charming Cashiers, NC

Lunch at Cornucopia, Cashiers, NC 

In the late 1800's wealthy planters from the low country of South Carolina would escape the Summer heat by going to quaint and charming Cashiers, North Carolina.  Over 3,500 feet above sea level, it's a small village surrounded by luxury homes and condominiums, as well as country clubs...the New York Times described the difference between the "sister cities" of Cashiers and Highlands (10 miles away) as "Cashiers is a little bit country, and Highlands is a little bit country club..."my family and I recently enjoyed a visit to this mountain retreat.

A Summer Place, design shop, Cashiers

I adored the rustic elegance of this small shop, up on a hill, called A Summer Place.  The town of Cashiers is chock full of antiques and design businesses, catering to the resort patrons.  Our lunch on Saturday was a fabulous crab cakes on salad greens with bloody mary's...

Interior Enhancements design shop, Cashiers

Rhododendron

  

Patio behind Cornucopia, Cashiers

The mountain air was so fresh and clean, and the beautiful Summer flowers such as poppies were everywhere, plus the magnificent rhododendron ~which I believe are related to mountain laurel...I also picked up this cute book in the Cornucopia gift shop...

Enjoy! DF *****

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Seasonal Arrangements - Magnolia

DEAN FARRIS INTERIOR DESIGN

I had found these very decorative copies of tole "planters" at Box Woods in Naples recently, and had a lot of fun deciding what to do with them~you can find Box Woods in the Chesterdales Antiques Market in Naples.

DEAN FARRIS INTERIOR DESIGN

Well, as you can see here, I was inspired to dress up my small foyer with some fresh magnolia, and dried palm, plus artificial (but oh so real looking) pears !

DFID

The little mahogany console ~ which is shown above in the foyer, was replaced (in the small living room) with this fabulous, one- of- a- kind, very Angelo Donghia-John Dickinson metal table, made by David Edelman, the brother of my wonderful client Mary Edelman Wilson.  I like the way it virtually disappears in the space!  We have these in stock if anyone would like to purchase ~ also in a coffee table size!

Naples

Yesterday was a gorgeous beach day~ and I made a very nice Sunday dinner for the two of us~ the recipe I discovered last week on James Farmers blog ! Pork with rosemary, red onion, and apples~ DELICIOUS!  Served with fresh organic baby kale sauteed in bacon, and a sauvignon blanc from California....thanks James!

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The Flowers of La Grenouille

One of my favourite books Clarkson potter 1994

It was only in March, that, after 40 years of devoted work, Charles Masson has finally left his family owned establishment.  I met Charles back in 1994 when he was promoting this small and very charming book of his. He was kind enough to autograph it too.  The book's full of useful information on the art of flowers- and living.  Click here  for a visit to this fabulous site for Grenouille.

Autograph

There has been some media drama surrounding his departure- read here - but, Mr Masson, being the gentleman that he is, has avoided it mostly.  As his late father had said so well "Bois de la vie" (drink life)  !

Anemones, my favourite flower

It seems that one day, after the paying guests had left, the Massons sat down in the dining room to have their own lunch, and Mr Masson, pere  noticed a ray of sun coming in and shining right in his face.  This is how he got the idea to make a huge arrangement for that window, thus solving the problem, and furthering the tradition of many lavish bouquets in the restaurant.

La Grenouille New York

The arrangement shown above has huge branches of quince that extend out over six or seven feet!

La Grenouille New York

According to Charles, the big secret about Grenouille, is that it's not this grand, haughty (his word) French salle a manger - but the most friendly and affable place in town!  That is one reason why he decided to translate the menu, and open the upstairs room to patrons with smaller purses.  He now plans to open a new place, what he calls the pret a porter to the couture of La Grenouille.  Bon chance Charles!  All the best to you in your new venture! ***** DF

Definition: The word Grenouille is the French word for frog, and in the culinary arts, the term Grenouilles refers to frog legs. The classic French preparation of frog ... 

Dinner with Andre'

Dinner plate, Andre's 

Mary and I had such a good time tonight, chez Andre' - the premier gourmand* steak house of Naples- see the site here - it's a cozy place located centrally in the heart of Naples.

 *noun

1. The definition of a gourmand is a gourmet, or a person who enjoys good food and drink.
   An example of a gourmand is someone who has no problem spending $200 for a meal at a Michelin star restaurant.

 


The first thing you see upon entering is photos of the owner, Andre', with Speaker John Boehner, and Marco Rubio....the bar is to the left.  The manager suggested a beautiful "house" Malbec- which I really enjoyed.  (The wine list is quite extensive)
Our dinner: Sliced tomatoes with onion and blue cheese, with a piquant sauce...followed by a medium pink Porterhouse for two accompanied by shoestring battered onion rings and fabulous double order of creamed spinach!  Finishing with- wait for it- PROFITEROLES !!! 

Andre's Naples

So good !  Mary had coffee with her half, and I finished off the dry and smoky Malbec, a lovely mate with the yummy dessert...notice the creme fraiche on the side- so good !  Mary also reminded me about one of her favorite blogs, called Manger, out of the Medoc region of France- check out Manger here it's pretty fabulous- anything Mary likes usually is.  Enjoy!  Mangia!  Cheers!  DF *****

MDW Musings

"Let them eat cake!"

Spring into Summer!

Avenue 5, Naples

Avenue 5, Naples

Fun, fun, fun!  Weekend!  In search of simple pleasures...enjoy the long weekend, wherever you are- Cheers!  DF *****

Andrew Martin, London and Naples

Pepsi, or Coca Cola ? :)

(I had a sublime not too dry French Rose' at Avenue 5)  Had diet coke with lunch today, at NY Pizza! :)

My new shirt and shorts, Banana Republic

Isn't mother nature just so amazing?  XXOO DF

Blue is for Bunny

Manhattan dining room of the late Bunny Mellon

 

 

I was just reading about Bunny Mellon, the late socialite-philanthropist, on the Mark Sikes design blog- and this beautiful blue glazed room caught my attention.  (attributed to John Fowler)  I once had my bedroom glazed in a very similar cross hatch, in a dark brown, and it was sensational.  I hope that this image will inspire you- as it has me!  Enjoy!  Cheers!  DF *****