GARDENS: Penny Bianchi

Penny Bianchi in Montecito, CA

This article about the restoration of the house and garden belonging to designer Penny Bianchi in Montecito
after the second largest wildfire in California history damaged her gardens, garage and guest house- inspired me!  

I was intrigued by this image above, as it has so many elements I like in a house- a touch of age, decadence even, a bit of classical whimsy, a la her friends, the late Tony and Beegle Duquette... it's amazing, inspiring and even, yes, magical- that she (Penny) was able to overcome the devastation and destruction of her charming european inspired property... Kudos to the Bianchis !  DF

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BRANDING: Dann Foley Lifestyle

Designer, Dann Foley

I was just browsing the printed copy of the new HOME ACCENTS TODAY, and found this interesting SoCal designer, Dann Foley .  Since I can't resist a pretty face and the fact that we share similar initials- thought I'd feature him for December first!  He's in the midst of growing his business from just interior design to product design.  Good luck Dann!

Amato lamp by Kelly Wearstler for Visual Comfort

 

  In the same issue of HAT, I read with interest about Visual Comfort lighting.  President Andy Singer mentioned that the Amato lamp, by Los Angeles designer Kelly Wearstler, is a hot item.  It comes in white also and there's a shade option too- (fabric versus metal).  available through MP Interiors ! 

Inspiring: Bruce Gregga in California

Interior design by Bruce Gregga

One of the things I love about this image is the very Horst look of the photography...how suitable since Bruce Gregga was often associated with the fashion photographer Victor Skrebneski for many years. 
I read with interest on the Cote de Texas blog, that John Saladino had bought one of the houses in Montecito that Bruce Gregga had remodeled.  The mix of modern architecture, California gardens, and French antiques is intoxicating to me~ and check out those stunning topiary trees!  Pretty much love this whole vibe.  DF ***** 

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Brooke Giannetti, Stephen Salny

Imagine my excitement about meeting Stephen M. Salny ~ author of no less than FOUR of my top picks for the best architecture and design books in my library!  Stay tuned for my next post, all about Mr. Salny !

I was also thrilled to see that another California designer-blogger got the cover of Veranda (January-February 2015) Brooke Giannetti of Velvet and Linen...click here !  Mark Sikes, move over!  Enjoy!  DF ***** 

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More Stewart Galleries, Palm Springs

Billy shopping at Stewart Galleries

This is the final post on our Wild West trip- we always make time to visit beautiful, eclectic, Stewart Galleries, at the corner of Indian Canyon and Arenas- it's a must, as a charming option to the more trendy Palm Springs Design District, which is located further north, and is almost entirely devoted to mid century modern.  The mix at Stewart is more like a cross between John Rosselli and a Madison Avenue art gallery- they have many fine, well priced original works of art, some of which are by Russian artists.

Stewart Galleries, Palm Springs, CA

Above, I adore this small painted table, something Albert would have liked- especially for a desert project.  I had gotten up early and gone out to hike as I enjoy the morning sunrise and the quiet calm of the morning California desert.  The gallery was not yet open for biz, so I snapped through the glass- original painted finishes like this one are very much in vogue right now.

Stewart Galleries, Palm Springs, CA

I also admired this wonderful old parcel gilt and ivory painted table, probably Italian- or "Continental" as the auction catalogs often say- and it also shows a glimpse of what dear Albert liked- I think Mrs. Brown had a bigger version only with legs in her Long Island house.  On another topic, I attended a nice party last night, here in Naples, for Corbett Lighting- at Wilson Lighting- and the goodie bags had links attached for Philippines relief- here they are if you want to donate-
https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/TyphoonHaiyan/
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/super-typhoone-haiyan-response/#donateBottom/
Stay tuned for more updates on DFS.  DF *****

Palm Springs Holiday!

A chic Palm Desert antiquaire

Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage!  Billy and I are headed out west next month- and I'm really looking forward to a much needed rest and escape from busy Naples- which is having a fantastic building boom and real estate market revival!  Just yesterday, I was in three open houses worth over thirty million dollars- and I am surrounded by a frenzy of new construction in The Moorings, one of the older, waterfront sections of town.  We'll touch down in Las Vegas, then drive through the desert to sunny So-Cal...always one of my favorite destinations.  Cheers!  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 *****    

Super Realtor: Madison Hildebrand

For some time now, I've been enjoying watching Madison Hildebrand on "Million Dollar Listing", the BRAVO network show- if you haven't caught the show, you're in for a treat, as Madison exudes charm and personality. Here are a few shots of MH, and one of his current listings. ENJOY! DF ******