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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Tony, Hutton, and Maison Objet Americas

Tony Duquette Los Angeles

Did you know that the Maison Objet show has now arrived in Miami?  If you missed it, don't worry, the second annual show will be held in May 2016 !  

Can I tell you how much I like the idea of using a blue malachite fabric with a green malachite bureau plat?

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Do you think More is More, or Less is More?  DF *****

You Decorated My Life

Lions Gate, 1938, Paul R. Williams, Bel Air, CA

I was most interested to hear that singer Kenny Rogers, had recently sold his Bel Air house, called Lions Gate, completely furnished~and for a mere $46 million!  Adding an extra sheen of polish to this property is that it was a Paul R. Williams design...

One of the many books about and by Paul R. Williams

 You must read up on this iconic California architect, for his life and work were truly amazing...

Lions Gate foyer

Living Room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom Suite (3,000 sq feet)

Paul Revere Williams, FAIA (February 18, 1894 – January 23, 1980) was an American architect based in Los Angeles, California. He practiced largely in Southern California and designed the homes of numerous celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Lon Chaney, and Charles Correll. He also designed many public and private buildings.^[1][2] 

via Wikipedia

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More Mark !

Mark D. Sikes

Mark D. Sikes

I have TWO designing men named Mark inspiring me right now~ Mark Felix, and Mark Sikes! Mark Sikes of Los Angeles, just updated his blog, and it looks great!  Claiborne Swanson Frank shot this amazing image of Mark, which is on his new Interior Design Site. For more MDS, click here for an interesting (and inspiring) interview ~    Enjoy!  DF ***** 

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Timothy Corrigan Coming to Naples!

Designer Timothy Corrigan AD 100

Exciting !  International interior designer, Timothy Corrigan, is coming to our Miromar Design Center!  He has collections for Schumacher, which we represent, including furniture, textiles, and rugs!  He also has a book, "An Invitation to Grand-Luce'" about his restoration of a Loire valley chateau, which he owns.  TC has offices in Los Angeles and Paris, stay tuned for dates and times!  DF *****

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Chateau du Grand Luce'

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Le Grand Vefour and the Velvet Slippers

Le Grand Vefour, 1st Arr Paris

My friend Troy is on his way to Paris for Bastille Day, so I recommended this very old, and elegant restaurant next to the Palais Royal, Le Grand Vefour.

My late mentor and friend, Tice Alexander often went there when he was in Paris.  Tice always preferred to stay at the Hotel Ritz, "on the Vendome side" as he would always request.

This languostine (lobster)  course is probably somewhere in the 112 to 119 euro range or higher- be prepared for the check to be in four figures! :) A BLACK Am Ex might be nice to bring along. Here is the menu click here ***** ( a simple lunch is offered for only 98 euro)

Pierre Casiraghi

This handsome devil is the son of Caroline, Princess of Hanover.  His grandmere was the American born Grace Kelly, who became Princess Grace of Monaco.  I spied him sporting a pair of Stubbs and Wooton "Screw U" velvet slippers, in the May 2014 issue of Town and Country.  I only had noticed this tiny detail because I was reading with a magnifying glass!  A new film about his famous grandmother was shown at Cannes in May.  Look for it in a theater near you!

Pierre Casiraghi

  I love that he is smoking a cigarette here.  Smoking, done by certain people, and in the right places, is still extremely elegant, in my humble opinion.  Check out these shoes he was wearing with a tuxedo.

How cool are these?  On him ! I saw these at the trunk show here that SW had at the Naples branch of Maus and Hoffman.  I think I prefer the ones below, called "Loyal"  (The screw U ones are called "College")

They are both the same price - ($495.00)   J Crew has some slightly less expensive ones, and a place in Dallas, called Stanley Korshak.  Wouldn't it be FUN to wear these to Le Grand Vefour, and dine with the Grimaldis, or maybe just Pierre?  Now, that would be a night to remember!  Just call me Walter Mitty :)

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Here's a funny story for you before I turn back the Porthault.  I was boarding a commercial flight many years ago, forget where I was off to , probably L.A. - and I looked over and there was ROBIN LEACH !  Do you remember him?  He hosted an outlandish television program called ""Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"-
Well, I guess I didn't know that he hated gawking fans or the merely curious- since he stared holes through me with the most WICKED, hateful and baleful look I have ever seen on a mans face!  It was brutal.  He must have gotten bumped off of a private plane, and had to resort to flying COMMERCIAL.  Ghastly, simply ghastly!

Robin Leach

 Well Nancy, that's all for now.  If you happen to be in Paris, try and get a table at Le Grand Vefour.   I think even in the Summer you need to book far in advance.  And, if you are in Monaco, say hello to Pierre for me.  But, if you are in L.A., and see Robin, just stare really hard at him, will you? :)

Robin Leach

 This post is dedicated to Taki Theodoracopulos, author of Princes, Playboys, and High Class Tarts. 

Classics are Forever



Foyer, Hopedene, Newport, R.I.

This foyer and staircase, at Hopedene, a famous colonial revival house in Newport, Rhode Island, inspires me with its elegant simplicity, and grand proportions.  Classic!  The royal red carpet, black banisters, and brightly gilded table look stunning and so correct.






Mandarin Console by J. Alexander, Brian Austin Collection

If the gilding is too much for you, and maybe not so suitable for your lifestyle or your budget, then I'd suggest this interesting piece- which comes in a variety of finishes- we could still hang a very ornamental mirror or painting above it.  Classic!

 






Exterior entrance, Mary McDonald,  Los Angeles, CA

 Again, I find the work of decorator Mary McDonald, so inspiring.  One walks through a shuttered gate-like door - into an outdoor garden, and then is faced with the front door entrance into the house.  I love the mystery of this, and the charm, it's CLASSIC!  Also classic is the deep taupe colour Mary used on the stucco.  Enjoy!  DF ***** 

Decorator Scrapbook

Dean Farris at home, 2010

I was most interested to see that decorator Mary McDonald has launched a new line of decorative fabrics for Schumacher.  Congratulations Mary!





Mary McDonald for Schumacher

Hmmm... what else is rocking my little world right now?  I would have to say, it's a little of everything, and I enjoy my work so much, that it's hard to not become just a total workaholic!



Room by Dean Farris

I still love this moody, almost Parisian feeling, shot I took of my former Positano Place living room, from a few years ago.  The teal and gilt painted Louis XV style chair was obtained from the late Albert Hadley- it wears a Jack Lenor Larsen linen, backed in softly shimmering gold lame'.  I still love this chair, and my friend Stephen has suggested I have copies made of it, a la Ann Getty, to use as dining chairs...love that concept!




Albert Hadley

My decorator friend in Los Angeles, Peggy Braswell, recently posted a comment on  my piece about the new Chesterfield sofa, and I find her inspiring too.  Here's a beautiful portrait of beautiful Peggy...



Peggy Braswell

Even though I decided not to move out to Los Angeles, it seems I keep going in that direction- and I think we all have the ability to change directions, when we feel so compelled.  Enjoy the day!  DF *****

Room of the Week, Mary McDonald

I like this room very much, by the California designer, Mary McDonald, and so, I thought I'd give her a gift, since she's one of my favorite stars of the new reality show, called Million Dollar Decorators- I feel as if I know Mary, and I love her look, and her personality too. 




From Mary McDonald Interiors, The Allure of Style, courtesy of Rizzoli

  I never knew that Mary went to Parsons, and had a career as a milliner! I'd love to see her in a hat, with a big brim, and a long satin ribbon...I'm sure she could pull that look off with aplomb!  There was a profile of Mary on first dibs, and it sparked my interest in this talented and very charming lady decorator.  Perhaps when I'm in L.A. I'll seek her out!  Stay tuned for more on darling Mary McDonald.  DF *****

Nate Turner In Naples!

Margaret Russell and Nathan Turner

Good News! Designer Nathan Turner, of Million Dollar Decorator fame is headed our way! He'll be here at the design center on Thursday, November 8th at 11:00 am.  And, speaking of the Miromar Design Center, my friend Mark Fanta - of Webster and Company- is hosting a trip to Paris next year, for designers only! Check it out, and enjoy the day!  DF *****

Kelly Sweeps Floors, And So Do I...!

We've been in a heavy mode of Carolinas influenced design lately, having just come off of the High Point Market, returning as well from South Carolina for a client in Greenville, and our long time clients in Charleston have listed their South of Broad house on the real estate market.  And, fellow designer and South Carolina native, Kelly Wearstler, lately of Los Angeles, has been on our minds too!

Continuing in the vein, our Charleston clients are using Brunk Auctions, of Asheville, NC to dispose of their collection- which they have spent their lives amassing.  Andrew Brunk recently left his post (after five years) at Christie's New York as head of American Decorative Arts, to return to Asheville and work in his family owned auction business.  Designer Kelly Wearstler, shown here sweeping up for her One Kings Lane sale this past Summer, is a great natural talent, and her mother also owned a business dealing in antique furnishings.  Sometimes, if you want something done, it's better to just go ahead and do it oneself!  Any good decorator knows this, and I've seen the best of them get down and dirty, and I am no different.

                                          Andrew Brunk, Brunk Auctions, Asheville

Here's the Charleston drawing room in its latest incarnation.

Here it is as we first designed it, and we had submitted it to Architectural Digest, but decided to not publish it, and it was also submitted to The World of Interiors... That's Lord Byron over the mantel, the house dates from 1830, and is on Saint Michael's Alley, behind the famous church which had its steeple blown askew by hurricane Hugo.  The man who straightened it back upright was our contractor on this extensive remodeling and restoration project, which took over two years.

While shopping in Monaco, at the biennale des antiquaires there, we saw this beautiful paint colour on some shutters, and were able to order the same paint from a French source for our shutters...

Here again, is beautiful and uber talented Kelly Wearstler, a native of Myrtle Beach, SC! Kelly recently launched her own clothing line, and has built a very strong brand for herself, comparable to Tory Burch.  I'm thrilled that Naples is getting its own Tory Burch boutique.  Don't you just love this shot of KW?  Kelly, aka Mrs. Brad Korzen, also has four design books published, one of which I show below, she is a tour de force of talent, as well as the mother of two sons!  Can you say "Steel Magnolia" ?  Enjoy!  DF *****

Room of the Week, Todd Alexander Romano

I met Todd Romano through my friend the late Parkin Saunders, in New York. Parkin was quite fond of Todd as he is such a talent, and a Texas native. (Parkin was from Arkansas) - anyway, Todd has showrooms in New York and L.A. and he did a dining room at the 2012 Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse. I went on TAR's site and found this gorgeous lacquered living room he did for a client in NYC. I love the way Todd has showcased Andy Warhol and other artists in his rooms, and his sense of color and use of sexy chairs (French) as well as his overall point of view. This long banquette he used is sensational, and we could certainly provide something similar through either KREISS or our design service, Interiors By Design West, here in Naples. Enjoy! DF *****(P.S. this lacquer wall treatment reminds me of the townhouse duplex Angelo Donghia lived in - which I was lucky to visit back in the day) .

Mary McDonald in Naples!

Very exciting news! Mary McDonald, top LA decorator, is headed this way! Beautiful, smart, chic, and fun, Mary will be here in Naples, Thursday April 19th at our design center in Estero (just north of Naples) to give a talk called "The Allure of Style" and then have a book signing and wine reception. Admission proceeds will benefit the Naples Philharmonic League. I've posted about Mary before, and she really is someone I am inspired by, ever since I saw her book, and saw her on "Million Dollar Decorator". I love her wry sense of humour, and her facial expressions, and of course, her fashion sense. Enjoy! DF *****

Room of the Week, James Lumsden

Native Angeleno, James Lumsden is brilliant! One look at his site, and you can see right away what a talent he is. This foyer he designed, in a Holmby Hills estate, just resonated with me. James you see, is a master of color, and unexpected uses of it. He has quite an eye! Check out this gorgeous space and visit his site to see more of his opulent and comfortable rooms. DF*****