LIGHT: Memory of Mine...

I've always loved this shot of my former living room in Florida...

MORNING COFFEE: Sunroom

Dean Farris Interior Design 2019

I always watch the morning light as it changes...from one season to the next- here in Naples ...

Dean Farris Interior Design 2019

Something about the morning sun hitting these topiary trees on my terrace intrigued and almost hypnotized me... DF

A Young Designer in New York

My small flat in NYC,  DFID

My dear Mother found these old pictures recently, and shared them with me.  I was 27 or so when they were taken, by the now very well respected photographer, Stewart O'Shields.  Stew and I attended FIT at the same time.  I was working as an assistant to the society decorator, George Clarkson, and learning the ropes from him, a fantastic gentleman and mentor.  Most of George's clients were from old line Wall Street firms, and so, I was exposed to the finest English antiques and the highest level of taste and quality.  The gilt sunburst had been one of dozens, from the old Waldorf-Astoria ballroom, which we found one day in the basement of antiquaire Paul Martini~ the table was draped in a sheet, and my sofas doubled as beds, which I had custom upholstered in the Brunschwig chintz "faux bois".  My mother gave me the beige wool rug, and I painted the walls myself with a Benjamin Moore deck paint in high gloss.  I also added the mirrored wall, in squares.  Lamps, Hansen, toss pillows, Rose Cumming.  

1980's glamour in Manhattan  DFID

That fabulous black lacquer desk I'm standing next to, was attributed to James Mont*, and I discovered it at a wonderful downtown dealer called Robert Gingold...he would go to Paris and find things.  I think the small low table was from Macy's.  Notice the cigarettes!  I used to play Alberta Hunter songs and smoke away...one time Tice was there, and he accused me of copying the apartment that Albert (Hadley) had helped him with, which was even smaller than this one!  Then he re-arranged the furniture and left! Parkin Saunders brought my chandelier, which I never hung...it was an old gilded brass late Victorian number.  And, I never quite got around to ordering the red taffeta festoon shade for my one window.  But, I always saw it as if it was there.  Imagination is a very powerful thing, and I still use it today as part of my way of living and dealing with daily life. Enjoy! DF *****

*Read more about James Mont here

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That Vintage Look

Dean Farris Interior Design

I was inspired last night, to make a slight change in my Naples living room~(flanked the sofa with these vintage Louis style chairs) ~and then got this fun, very 1930's looking image from shooting in the dark, with only two light sources~one in the bedroom and one in the hall behind me.  One would never know this was taken in 2015, not 1935 !  Notice Elsie the cow gazing out from the bedroom!   DF*****

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Victor Skrebneski, Chicago Style

The last thing I expected, the other night while enjoying cocktails in the new home of some new friends (from Chicago) was to see an absolutely stunning portrait of our hostess, by the iconic photographer, Victor Skrebneski. I had followed his work for many years, through Estee' Lauder ads, and his association with top decorator Bruce Gregga. Mr Skrebneski's townhouse in Chicago has always been one of my favorite editorial spreads, a magical, ultra chic combination of clean, modernist space mixed with exquisite french furniture, floating on bare stone floors like sculpture. To encounter his work at close range, while being with the subject at the same time, is,to say the least, a sublime and wonderful experience. Also hung on the walls were about a hundred Picassos, Klimts, Dines, and Miro's. I must say, I don't care for the work of Miro' - it makes me think of trophy art too much. Anyway, here are a few fabulous Skrebneski images, he really is a genius. Enjoy! DF *****

Decorator Scrapbook XVI

Digital photograph by Dean Farris

Random (visual) musings... ENJOY! DF *****

Interior Photography

Living Room by Dean Farris Interior Design

I very much enjoyed meeting with top interior photographer, Randall Perry, this morning in my office. www.randallperry.com Randall has offices in New York, Cape Cod, and Naples, and has been photographing interiors since 1986. Recently he shot the 2011 ASID Florida South Designer Showhouse, and did a fabulous job of it. While I took the shot above, with my digital, I very much look forward to working with Randall on an upcoming design project! Enjoy the day! DF ***** (photo: Dean Farris)