A FAVORITE CLIENT, DFID, NAPLES

DFID (c) 2016

Pittsburgh native, Charles Fleck, has been a good client and a wonderful friend over the past 17 years or so,  we had some fun last night hanging his new painting by Rick Moore, who used to own a gallery here in Naples...(shown above)

DFID (c) 2016

I took these quick shots with my phone- we also had recently freshened up his bedroom, with new paint, carpet, curtains, and bedcoverings...keeping the mirrored wall and the existing bed, by Kreiss...Enjoy ! DF ***** 

DFID (c) 2016

 

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Progress at the Showroom!

We finally received our new Azul sofas, and our new Hollywood bed for the showroom! Come in and see the exciting new collections.  9118 Strada Place, Suite 8130 Mercato, Naples, Florida Tel (239) 249-6800  Exclusive Beverly Hills lifestyle furnishings and complete interior design and remodeling services. (Interiors by Design West, Inc.) 

Hollywood Bed, at Kreiss Naples

We still have some refining to do, and need to have our Christmas tree delivered- but we all had a blast watching the new things get installed today.



Medici Bed, Aria desk, Gatsby chair

Here's our classic Medici Bed, with Legacy Linens (through Interiors by Design West) we used a Phillip Jeffries damask pattern on a textured weave behind the bed.  Alexis Barrett, one of our lead designers, has been instrumental in creating the look of the showroom.



Azul sofas and tables, Kreiss Collection, Naples

Here's a sneak peek of our new Azul  sofa grouping, stay tuned for more finished images of the Azul, coming soon to a screen near you!  DF ***** 
 

Kreiss Collection, a Legacy of Fine Design

I'll have to make several more posts to cover the history of this fascinating American success story, a true family legacy, and a powerhouse of Southern California interior design and furnishings.  First founded in the late thirties, by Mr. Murray Kreiss, the company has been handed down through four generations of the Kreiss family.  Recently, the corporate offices were moved from San Diego to Beverly Hills, on world famous Wilshire Boulevard.  Above, a fabulous portrait of matriarch, Eileen Kreiss.  I got to see this fairly large work of art "in person" when I paid a visit to the old Coral Gables showroom, just before it closed - to be re-opened in the chic and exciting new Miami Design District.  (Now open for business on NE 39th)

I love this shot of Eileen and Loren, when he was quite a bit younger.  It's obvious to me that Eileen Kreiss was a truly elegant and obviously beautiful lady- Look at that chic and stylish ensemble she is wearing!  You can see more vintage family portraits like this one on the beautiful and informative Kreiss web site - www.kreiss.com and I certainly hope that, if you should find yourself in sunny Naples, Florida, you'll stop in and say hello, I am there every day except Monday... (239) 249-6800 in the fabulous new Mercato mixed use complex.

Here's a glimpse of our one year old showroom, one of only nine in the entire United States!  There are now five in California, three in Florida, and one in Arizona.  This shot I took myself, features a setting containing an Aria sofa, a pair of Gatsby wing chairs, Aria low table, and a pair of Centaur benches, with a custom Sabre ottoman, all on a gorgeous silk and wool carpet from Feizy of Dallas.  The art above the Aria sofa is by Carol Fenzel, available exclusively through our Kreiss featuring Interiors By Design West showroom.

Kreiss Panama sofa, Montreal table, pair London lounge chairs, Panama bench, and pair Albany floor lamps, flanking a large work by Artist Carol Fenzel.  Custom toss pillows in designer fabrics and trims through Design West.  Congo area carpet by Feizy, Dallas.  Everyone who visits our showroom raves about the comfort and beauty of this room setting.

Here, Tom and Loren Kreiss share martinis at Mr. Chows, Bev Hills, in 2010.  I always loved going to Chows in Manhattan.  As you can see here, Loren is now a young man, and is taking on a new leadership role within the firm.

This beautiful residence was done for Magic and Cookie Johnson, and featured in Architectural Digest.  We are now designing the sixth house for the Johnsons.  Over the years, Kreiss has designed homes for among others, the Reagans, the Sinatras, Bruce Springsteen, Janet Jackson, and Michael Jordan.  We try not to drop names, but with a client list like this...

A 1994 image features Mr. Tom Kreiss with President and First Lady Reagan.  I recall the family my father worked for, for many years, lived behind the Reagans.  It was always fun to visit Southern California, when my brother and I were just boys, and we had such a blast terrorizing the hotels our parents checked us into. LOL!

Above, our glam conference room, here in Naples, where we used six Kreiss Thames empire influenced chairs, upholstered in champagne dupioni silk. (Yes, we do drink a lot of wine in here too). The chandelier and sconces are "Allegretto" by Fine Arts Lighting of Miami.  We're most proud that most of the furnishings in our showroom are made in the USA.  Wallcovering is Mica by Phillip Jeffries, available through Interiors By Design West, Naples.  I hope you've enjoyed this post.  Stay tuned for more!  DF *****    

Kreiss Collection, California Dreamin'

Just as I've always followed the work of the late Michael Taylor, so I've always loved the Kreiss Collection, based out of San Diego, California for many years, Kreiss has recently moved their offices to Wilshire Boulevard in beautiful Beverly Hills, Calif.
Luckily for moi, Kreiss has opened up here in Naples, Fla. in a unique and timely partnership with the Naples design firm, Interiors By Design West, Inc. For the past year, I've been associated very fortuitously, with this dynamic duo!
One of our hottest items in the new showroom here is called the Panama Sectional Sofa... this sofa is a chaise model, and is so luxurious, so comfortable, so GORGEOUS, that we've ordered about 25 of them since May of last year! Here is a great shot of it, which has run in "Architectural Digest" and which we used as a basis for our showroom setting featuring the Panama collection. Come in and experience the luxury- bench made, made in the U.S. and finely crafted with Canadian goose down in the cushions. It's custom as all of the pieces are, and available in endless sizes, fabrics, leathers, and configurations. http://www.kreiss.com/ Naples: (239) 249-6800
On a more sober note, I was sorry to hear about dear Phyllis Diller today, she passed away, and I had posted about my love for her back in February on this designer blog. There was no lady ever quite like her, and she will be sorely missed. R.I.P. dear PD.

Yours truly, Dean Farris

Andre' Agassi - Kreiss Collection

About four of five years ago, Tennis stars, Steffi Graf and Andre' Agassi partnered with Kreiss Collection to create some stunning pieces for the renowned furniture company. I felt that with the Olympics now going on in London, it would be fun to mention this partnership, since I am now associated with Kreiss as well. DF*****

New Furnishings I'm Loving, Kreiss, Schumacher, Old Biscayne

New from F.P. Victoria, New York

New from F. Schumacher


New from Old Biscayne Designs

Kreiss Collection, San Diego

New from Kreiss, Kreiss Naples

I'm always, as a professional interior designer, looking for the latest and greatest in superb, high quality home furnishings, for my clients. Whether an office, a commercial installation, or a residential job - there is always a constant demand for high quality, high style pieces. Here are some companies I go to for the very best in superior design and value. Enjoy! DF *****

Quadrille Outdoor on Malibu Collection by Kreiss

I love the idea of using this new QUADRILLE outdoor fabric collection on the Malibu outdoor furniture line by KREISS. These new "performance fabrics" formerly known generically as "Sunbrella" have come a long way since your mother's and grandmother's day...check out this combo I came up with! Also, today I had the great pleasure of working with JoAnn Barwick, a former editor at House Beautiful for many years. JoAnn is working on a home on the nearby island of Boca Grande, see my earlier posts on the fabulous island, home of the Gasparilla Inn. ENJOY! DF *****

Kreiss Naples on Facebook

Dear readers, please visit our recently created page on Facebook, and "like" us! Kreiss is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and Kreiss Naples is preparing to celebrate its very FIRST anniversary (May 12) come in and see what we're all about! DF *****

Zinc Collection by Romo

We recently ordered and installed two Albany sofas and two Soho chairs, for a client here in Naples. We selected a soft tweed from ROMO for the chairs, and a sleek chenille also from ROMO for the sofas. They turned out beautifully, and the chairs were custom finished in an ebony stain. The look is up to date, smart, and the cool grey palette is refreshing. I am reminded of Jean Michel Frank, since the client has a somewhat minimalist point of view. The walls are done in a pale grey paint, and the floors are a cararra look Italian porcelain tile with a matte finish. Stay tuned for more progress shots from this interesting project. DF *****

Highway to Heaven

We had to have this sofa, the Panama, by Kreiss, in Portofino Cream, HOISTED up nineteen floors to the roof, then dropped back down to the 16th floor today. I just need to add some beautiful fat down filled pillows....this reminded me of when I worked with the late Parkin Saunders on the late Theodore Forstmann Fifth Avenue penthouse, and was responsible for having an eight million dollar painting by Georges Bracque HOISTED up and brought in through the opening where a window had been removed expressly to admit the paintings' passage, and THEN, I had to supervise having an antiqued mirrored wall in the library DRILLED so that this magnificent museum quality work of art could be hung there...all of which was done in under two hours! It was FABULOUS! DF *****

Out and About in Naples

Had a blast today, starting with seeing the great progress on the Pelican Bay project I'm helping to bring into focus, and a fun gallery opening, seeing some old colleagues and meeting some new friends. Tomorrow morning, am off to the workroom to check on window treatments, and then to Grey Oaks to check on the villa project, then back to the beautiful and calm showroom, Kreiss, featuring Interiors by Design West. Looking forward to receiving my recently ordered copy of "A Charmed Couple, the Art and Life of Matilda and Walter Gay", by William Rieder (Abrams). The life of the mind! Ah! DF *****

Showroom Shots: Kreiss Naples

photography by Dean Farris

Here are two views of our new Kreiss, featuring interiors by Design West, here in Naples. Looking forward to seeing you! DF *****

Southern California Dreamin

Courtesy Naples Daily News, interior by Dean Farris

When I left New York, fifteen years ago, I had every intention of relocating to Los Angeles. Naples beckoned, and here I am! One of my dear clients, who is also a friend, had for years a place in Rancho Mirage, and he often shopped at Kreiss Collection for furnishings. Here, I used his existing Kreiss bed in his Naples pied a terre master bedroom, to great effect. The vaulted ceiling and mirrored wall amplify the small space - while deep gold walls soothe the hot Florida climate, providing a much needed respite from the heat. Look for these fine furnishings at Kreiss, here in Naples, at the Mercato. (91st Street North at Tamiami Trail North, just north of Vanderbilt Beach Road) . Enjoy the upcoming Summer weekend! DF *****

Kreiss and Design West at Mercato, Naples

Dover Collection, KREISS

The most beautiful and exciting new showroom has opened in Naples, at The Strada, in the Mercato. Looks vary, from clean, modern California style, to more trad French and Italian influences...stay tuned for some exciting news regarding this new venue!

Dean Farris http://www.kreiss.com/