Recalling the Anglo Indian Rage, Robert Lighton

Robert Lighton, New York

My dear friend, Tice, often spoke of Robert Lighton - which back in the gilded 1980's we called "RobertLightonBritishKhaki..." The Anglo Indian style was all the rage in early 80's New York.  And I do believe, it's come back in a big way.  (if it ever left us at all) - click here to see the full RL website and his ongoing HUGE 50% SALE prices! 
My darling friend, Julie Britt, a former stylist for Harper's Bazaar, sleeps in a silver-leafed bed by Robert, when she is residing at her pied a terre in NYC...Fabulous!  Beyond!  Enjoy!  DF *****

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Tice Alexander Redux

Tice Alexander, Inc. clients Michael and Zena Weiner, via NYSD

I just finished reading the new Parish-Hadley book, "Tree of Life"~ and thought I'd re-post about my dear friend and mentor, Tice Alexander.  Tice worked for Parish-Hadley from the early 1980's on for about six years, possibly longer, and I was most fortunate to work with him in the early 90's.  Click here to read my post on him from 2010.  

The Weiners, (shown above) were fabulous clients we designed for then, and we did their Park Avenue duplex and their Connecticut country house.  After Tice died, the Weiners hosted a beautiful memorial service in the Park Avenue apartment, which I attended with my friend Mark Nelson.  Albert Hadley was there too of course.  Prince Michael of Greece, a very good friend of Tices', read a lovely tribute.   Click here to read his NYT obituary.  Click here to read a 1982 NYT article on Tice and other young designers working their way up.  R.I.P.  DF

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Doug Meyer for DIFFA Dining by Design

Echo Design at DIFFA Dining by Design 2015 NY

One of the many benefits of blogging, is having virtual experience, and connecting with old friends and new ones as well~Doug Meyer, the designer and artist, created an installation, called "Heroes"-for the 2015 DIFFA fundraiser, and included my mentor and friend, Tice Alexander, along with John Duka, Tina Chow, Angelo Donghia, and Kalef Alaton.  Thanks Doug for a job well done! DF

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The Heroes’ Gallery pays homage to the artistic fallen heroes who were some of the first victims of AIDS. The installation provides a moment of reflection and creativity while honoring the design icons that lost their lives to AIDS. The installation’s nineteen portraits will be displayed in vitrines along the gallery walls. “My desire was for our space to convey a sense of creativity and thoughtfulness in design while also staying true to the mission of DIFFA,” said Luxe Interiors + Design Editor in Chief Pamela Jaccarino. “Doug Meyer executed a space that echoes that sentiment.”

Designed by Meyer, with furnishings provided by Flexform, the space is centered by the company’s Gipsy dining table, along with armless “Betty” chairs upholstered in the Italian manufacturer’s navy velvet (which also lines the installation’s vitrines). “We are pleased to bring great Italian design for a great cause. It is very important to have a beautiful room where you can create long-lasting memories,” explained David Levy, CEO of Flexform New York.

The portraits are influenced by medallions, cameos, intaglios and sculpted and carved busts, and are accompanied by historical didactic panels and labels. Some of the heroes include: Angelo Donghia, Jay Spectre, Alan Buchsbaum, Franklin D. Israel, Tina Chow, Leigh Bowery, Jacques Demy, Sam Wagstaff, Tice Alexander, John Duka and Kalef Alaton. “This space and these portraits were a labor of love; I hope that by creating this space that some of these innovative pioneers’ contributions and existence will become known to a younger generation of talent,” said Meyer.

 

Edward Celata and Robert Passal via Mon Oncle, by Rio Hamilton

courtesy Doug Meyer

portrait by Doug Meyer

portrait by Doug Meyer

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Design Continuum

Dean Farris Interior Design 2015

 

While reviewing the new Stephen M. Salny book, on the work of William Hodgins, Boston's preeminent decorator~ I was reminded of how design has a thread, which weaves through my fortunate Parsons faculty education, my European travels (sponsored by my loving parents) and the super talented designers I worked under while in New York.  As you know, I was trained by Tice Alexander, who worked with Albert at the famed Parish-Hadley ~ and just as Stanley Barrows "pushed" Bill Hodgins towards Sister and Albert in the 1960's, so he also guided Tice toward the PH firm in the 1980's...which is why I always mention the Bette Davis movie, "All About Eve" ~ you see, I was Eve Harrington to Tice's Margo Channing !  They always say truth is stranger than fiction, and let me tell you, it is! Suffice to say, nothing is giving me more pleasure right now than the new book,  
William Hodgins Interiors, it's a fascinating account of one designers journey over fifty years, and, continuing in the thread- weaving- through theme, Bill Hodgins worked for Michael Greer!  (I have a very wonderful client from Pittsburgh who hired Mr. Greer many years ago to decorate his French influenced home there, and today I get to work with those same Greer antiques in this clients Naples residence!) To add one more note to this theme, my dear professor Barrows died in the Naples hospital, which had been decorated in the 1950's by none other than Dorothy Draper, who, as many may know, was related to Sister Parish. Finally, I really got to know Albert Hadley well, when he bought a historic cottage from 1925 in Naples, and the rest is history!  Enjoy!  DF *****  

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To order this book, click here

Modern Baroque Redux

DEAN FARRIS INTERIOR DESIGN

A few years ago, I created this swept away, clean look for my former living room at Positano Place~
Am still loving the look~ what I call "modern baroque" ~ and I also took the photograph!  Inspired by palaces and old villas by the sea, it's a classic point of view.  The white on white sofa and walls were an homage to Albino Cimonetti (one of the four founders of the firm Quadrille, along with Jay Hyde Crawford, Anthony Tortora, and Harry Hinson) AND Michael Taylor~ the famed society decorator of California.  Albino taught at Parsons and FIT when I was there, and preached brown sofas on brown walls and white on white, etc....the floor here reminded me of Marie- Laure de Noailles and Jean Michel Frank.  
My old pal Tice Alexander once had a spectacular apartment with a very high ceiling in the living room, and he had Weidl glaze the walls to resemble the parchment squares that Jean Michel had used in Paris.  His chandelier was a Venetian baroque one in old teal and gilt, that Billy Baldwin found ~ and told Albert Hadley to buy!  Albert then loaned the fabulous piece to Tice, which, combined with a pair of Venetian blackamoors from Philippe Farley, made a sensational modern baroque statement! Inspiring! DF *****  

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Ann All American Beauty

Ann Getty by Keith Morrison, courtesy ANN GETTY INTERIOR STYLE 

Ann Getty in Oscar de la Renta

Ann Getty in Morocco 

Ann Getty, (in Valentino Couture) ANN GETTY INTERIOR STYLE, by Diane Dorrans Saeks

Ann Getty in San Francisco

Ann Getty, 1979, by Slim Aarons

Ann Getty, ANN GETTY INTERIOR STYLE

Ann Getty, in San Francisco

Ever since the mid 1980's, when I was fortunate to work with my old school friend, Tice Alexander- I began my journey involving hearing about Ann Gilbert Getty, and seeing images of her beautiful apartment on Fifth Avenue, in New York.  Tice worked with Sister Parish, Mrs. Getty, and Albert Hadley on the New York apartments, and traveled frequently to Paris to shop for the job.  I heard the most fabulous stories of how the details were worked out, and was shown photographs as well.  One thing I vividly remember was that the drawing room was created with entirely new (interior) walls- so that the silk stripe wall upholstery would then "lay out" perfectly evenly- including the corners...!  As well, a set of four "important" chairs were procured, costing in excess of a million dollars.  At the time, Mr. Getty was the richest man in America, having sold Getty Oil to Texaco for about ten billion US dollars.
For all these years, Ann Getty has inspired me, and now, I have the wonderful book on her design work, called ANN GETTY INTERIOR STYLE, which is something I often go to for further inspiration and pleasure.  So, should you find yourself at loose ends this weekend, do pick up a copy, and enjoy the visual feast.  Some of the images were previously seen in the "Architectural Digest" spread on the Getty residence.
I love that in the ballroom, disco and house music is often heard...and that children and dogs are always around.  It's the all American dream come true, for an all American girl!  Inspiring.  Beautiful.  Enjoy!  DF ***** You may also order here 

Designer Scrapbook, March 2014

My original Albert Hadley sketch (a gift)

I once was spending some time with my friend, the late, iconic, designer, Albert Hadley, and had the utter audacity to bring along a box of samples and things that I had been collecting for some future personal residence (of mine)...I even brought a floor plan of a place I had been thinking of moving in to !

Albert (shown above) was kind enough to look at what I brought- and liked most of it- although he did say that he felt there were better models of the faux french chair I had selected.  He was so wonderful to make this quick sketch for me- which I've kept all these years.  I adore this Wilbur Pippin photograph of AH.  

The iconic, society decorator, Billy Baldwin, above, was a friend of Albert's- and helped him along in his career as well.  I almost got to meet Mr. Baldwin, when I was on my way to London for my grand tour- however he had already left Manhattan for his beloved Nantucket.  Instead, I was whisked away to a very chic party in the Sutton Place apartment of the designer Joseph Braswell. 

Here's the famous former Rory Cameron La Fiorentina drawing room, after Billy Baldwin and Charles Sevigny re-decorated it for the advertising guru, Mary Wells Lawrence.  It's one of my all time favorites, although I've never seen it in person, and it's been dismantled.  Read The Devoted Classicist, by John Tackett, for more on this.  I DID once see Ms. Lawrence when I was walking towards Fifth Avenue, in New York.  A classic Mercedes was pulling out of the garage and she was driving it!  Her blond hair was in a meticulous coif, and she was wearing a cashmere twin set with pearl necklace, and diamond earrings.  She was absolutely stunning.

Carolina Irving, who was a friend of my Parish-Hadley mentor (Tice Alexander) has a line of fabrics, and I really like this one- Andaluz Viola - a linen hand print.  Reminds me of Fortuny and Groves Brothers...She and I got to know each other through Tice, and I've always admired her chic and style.  Carolina just signed on to be the creative director for Oscar de la Renta Home.  Check out her site here

  

Sister Parish was Albert's business partner and muse.  I always think of her as sitting on a white damask sofa- sipping a stiff cocktail.  They say she was wicked, and loved to have a good time.  I was shown two of her offices, and still haven't gotten over them.  They were very pretty, immaculate, very organized, and very smart.  You know you're not in Kansas anymore when the only thing they have by their desk (writing table) is a multi line phone and the latest copy of the New York Social Register.  (aka the blue book) -on a small "telephone table"- It was her phone book, you see.  Pink was her color.  The same shade as the old fashioned roses she must have had in Maine.  I'm sure that is correct.  Yes, Mrs. Parish.

     

Oh, and while we're on the subject of pink, and Sister, here's a collage I made of my own "dear Billy" in his madras shirt.  I recall I took this picture on the day he agreed to work with me - and it was a very happy day indeed.  I pay him with jelly beans.  He only works if and when he feels like it.  I'm so fortunate to have him in my life.  Thanks William!  Cheers!  Enjoy!  DF *****

A Tale of Three Chintzes

From Parish Hadley, Sixty Years of American Design

I've always loved, and promoted, the fabric known as chintz- and was inspired by looking at the book "Sister, The Life of Legendary American Interior Decorator Mrs. Henry Parish II " by Apple Parish Bartlett and Susan Bartlett Crater.  You see, dear readers, I have lots of stories to tell- just like "Sister" - and this one is about some of the chintzes I've used that are quite wonderful, and the best of their kind really.  I also love that chintz has almost been forgotten- making it all the more interesting, to me.  The fabulous rose trellis pattern above, was used for Enid Haupt's bedroom in New York, by Mrs. Parish.  My client's mother, DeWitt Chatham Hanes, was a good friend of Sister's, and we used the same chintz in (her) bedroom at her ancestral cottage, in Roaring Gap.  We re-made the curtains in it- they were smocked at the top and hung straight down, but they did draw.  I remember the house having marvelous painted floors everywhere.  The end result was nothing short of heaven.  There was a soft turquoise in the chintz that seemed to remind one of the painted shutters on the outside of the house.  And the pink roses in the chintz were also to be seen in the garden below the windows!

Room Setting by Mario Buatta

    

The room setting shown above, from the new Mario Buatta book is drenched in chintzes, and I was most fortunate to get to help Mario and his then assistant, Michael Zabriskie, put it all together- in the model rooms at the Manhattan Bloomingdales.  It was such fun, and MB used a floral chintz for the curtains on the mock windows.  Imagine how pleased I was when I saw that MB had included this model room in his book! It was funny too, because he and Michael were wearing matching outfits- blazers, khakis, belt, shoes, socks, ties, everything !  Of course, nothing was too much for New York in the 1980's.  I used to see Ivana Trump on the escalator.  I worked there at Bloomies for one year, and then I went to work in the office of the society decorator, George Clarkson.  High contrast, to say the least!

Pat Breen

My other (third) chintz story is about the time I was in Houston, Texas, with my friend and fellow designer, Tice Alexander.  I do have a picture or two somewhere of the work we did at Pat Breen's River Oaks house- Tice had selected an amazing Cowtan and Tout chintz, possibly a Colefax and Fowler, and we ordered hundreds of yards for the drawing room windows and chairs.  I was horrified to realize (too late) that we had ordered the wrong colorway!  You see, it wasn't very obvious- there was only one minor color that had been changed!  The LEAVES in the pattern were supposed to have been a very chic shade of taupe.  This was to match the taupe silk velvet on a pair of DeAngelis sofas...our leaves were a very English shade of pea green.  I told Tice that she would never notice- and probably like it even better, since it was more cheerful- and it was.  But it was my fault that the wrong color had been ordered, and sent to DeAngelis to be made into the magnificent curtains.  But honestly dear readers, can any color ever really be wrong?  Maybe a shade, or a hue, but a color is something that can never be wrong, it just is what it is. What do you think?  I would be interested to know!  Cheers!  DF *****

Florence de Dampierre for John Richard

Norris Home Furnishings, Naples

I was researching some accessories today for a new project in Talis Park, and came across this fabulous zebra table by Florence de Dampierre! My old friend and colleague, the late Tice Alexander, used to rave about Florence, and her beautiful collection of antique linens- so, I was delighted to find her new collection of furniture and accessories for John  Richard in our source library today.

Above, the table, very similar to one that had belonged to the late Billy McCarty, about whom we had posted here on January first of this new year.

Please contact me if you are interested in this table, and I'll be happy to discuss it with you.  Enjoy! Cheers!  DF ***** (239) 263-0580

A Decorative Thanksgiving!

William (Billy) turned the chair out!

One of the great pleasures of my long career in decorating and design has been showing others, as I have been shown, what makes me inspired- and the intangible gratification one experiences in doing so.  Billy has become like my own Libby Cameron, whom Albert fondly referred to as "his monster" meaning he created another decorator with a feverish talent.  Billy had the audacity to ask if he could "critique" my new room- which of course I love- and so he suggested a very minor and simple change- just moving one chair further back- which I then turned away towards the small settee- shown above- minor but MAJOR! I love it!  Tice Alexander once did the same thing, in my East 66th street flat, he just started shoving my furniture around- and of course it was so much more interesting when he left- I was simply thrilled and mesmerized!  As private jets come in for the landing every five minutes (I'm in the flight path) Billy prepares to fly off via private jet (known as a "P-J" to certain trophy wives) to the Bahamas- while dear Mary and I will dine at fabulous Ridgeway's- here in gorgeous Naples (see earlier posts on Ridgeway's).

Billy in a relaxed pose

 I took this shot of my talented protege' relaxing on the cognac leather chesterfield, and I love how he tucked his legs up just like Sister Parish always did while sipping vodka laced with clamato juice...and doesn't that little "baroque" table look great sitting on the new ikat printed jute rug? I think so.  Everybody, have a great Thanksgiving wherever you are- even if it's not a holiday you might normally celebrate- Enjoy!  Cheers!  DF *****

Barroux Model, F.P. Victoria



From House Beautiful, March 2005

One of my all time favorite chairs, the Barroux model, from trade source F.P. Victoria, New York- is shown here.  As readers of Dean Farris Style may recall, I was fortunate to work with the late Tice Alexander, a good friend and classmate- from FIT days, who previously worked as a decorator at the famed Parish-Hadley Associates...without any digression, I could probably talk about this chair, and how it relates to a certain period of my life, for HOURS!  But I don't think I have the time right now!  If you want more info on the Barroux chair, go on the site www.fpvictoria.com and click on bespoke, then chairs, then scroll down... the above image is from a 2005 Stephen Henderson article called "Rising From The Ashes" - which was produced by Senga Mortimer, with stunning photography by Don Freeman.  (March 2005)
After this important estate was damaged in a fire, designers Albert Hadley and Harry Heissman accepted the challenge of re-designing the house- reconfiguring some major rooms, changing fenestration, and it was also decided to switch from wood frame construction to stone.  The re-built house is now built to commercial codes, and should last forever.  Sited on 300 acres in Litchfield- the fabulous grounds were also featured in the January 2005 House Beautiful!
When Tice and I designed another estate, in Houston, Texas, we again used the barroux model- flanking the fireplace in the grand living room- where I recall windows were bricked in to allow for furniture placement on that elevation.  We also took out a stone floor and replaced it with wood.  I wish I had a picture of that room-to share with you- it was all done in the classic Parish Hadley mode, with a Russian chandelier over a center table- and hundreds of yards of Cowtan Tout chintz.  The silk velvet sofas were from DeAngelis- with custom embroidered skirts.  The carpet was an Aubusson.  The Barroux model is very luxe comfort- it is 30.5 wide, 42.5 deep, and 34 high, and has down cushions.  Think of it as a sort of easy chair for moguls- and do visit the FPV site, it has a great modern look and feel- the essence of old New York!  ENJOY! DF ***** 

The Mysterious Mirror



Dean Farris Interior Design

Here's the circa 1800 french giltwood mirror Bill and I just installed, in my Naples apartment.  The dealer, Joe Miller, of Antiques Center of Naples also had a larger, and more costly old mirror, with the interesting provenance of having belonged to the mother of Queen Noor of Jordan.  Lisa Halaby of Washington, DC is the widow of King Hussein of Jordan.  What intrigued me about this, not knowing her, or her mother, was that the style of that mirror was very much like one that Tice had borrowed from the old Parish Hadley inventory, for his small, but chic, apartment on East 69th Street, in Manhattan.  (see my earlier posts on Tice Alexander)

    


Room by Mario Buatta

A mirror, very much like the one dear Mario had hanging in this former apartment of his-I found this picture in the 1976 book, by Norma Skurka, "The New York Times Book of Interior Design and Decoration".  It has very old gilt, and is quite decorative against the beautiful glazed walls.  This mirror is like the one Joe Miller now has in his stock, here in Naples.

 


Room by Joseph Braswell

Above, a stunning room by the late designer, Joseph Braswell (d. 2006) with boiserie incorporating a large trumeau - (without the painting above) - interestingly, Joe had King Fahd of Saudi Arabia as a client.  Joe Braswell also was a Dean of interior design at Parsons.  I was fortunate to meet him, in about 1977 or so, when I was taken to his Sutton Place apartment for a pre- theater cocktail party.  The best was when his partner, Ward Willoughby, made his grand entrance, dropping his full length fur coat on the floor as he entered!  Ah, the seventies! It was pretty glam, and that song "Native New Yorker" was playing...



Room by Harrison Cultra

The elegant, tall room above, by the late Harrison Cultra, (d. 1983) uses another tall gilt mirror, seen at left.  I've always loved this image, and it's from the same Norma Skurka 1976 book.  Mr. Cultra counted Jacqueline Onassis as a client...he was only 42 when he died.  Rest in peace. 



Room by Dean Farris

Above, another shot of the new sofa, with the new mirror installed.  I'm considering getting a seagrass or sisal rug to pull all this together...but this cozy grouping has much more comfort now, and my mother kept telling me to get some kind of leather "easy chair" - I suppose to rest my weary old bones in- and this is what I chose- a circa 1900 english chesterfield, which I use like a chaise. That's all for now kids, see you soon.  Enjoy!  DF *****

Designer Profile: Tice Alexander

Tice Alexander, photo: Fernando Bengoechea

My dear late friend and Parish Hadley mentor, Tice Alexander, was a wonderful and charming man, from Kansas City, who made his home and life in New York. While I've posted about Tice before, I failed to show my readers a picture of him, showing what a handsome and stylish devil he was. This portrait is by the late Fernando Bengoechea - another  fabulous talent, lost to the tsunami. To explain how important Tice was in my life, I should tell you that we were roughly the same age, and we attended classes together at the renowned Fashion Institute, under the aegis of our chairman, the late Stanley Barrows - and Tice went on to work with Albert Hadley at the famed decorating and design firm, Parish Hadley Associates. If Tice was still living I would still be in New York, working with him, just as our old friend Kelly Graham works with John Barman.
Tice was such a beacon for me, and when I lost him, I too was lost. He never tried to re-invent the wheel, he simply chose the best for his clients, and that was always his hallmark- the finest quality and workmanship, with a classical point of view, very timeless and chic. We did the President of Princeton's house, we did a large apartment on upper Park Avenue, and we did a beautiful house in Houston, Texas in the River Oaks section. There were other Park Avenue jobs, less major, as well, and when Tice and I first met, he was living in a large half-floor on Park in the nineties, with socialite Fred Bricker. Imagine my excitement and pleasure at being invited to dine there, and coming into the marble lobby, and then the black lacquer elevator foyer with a coromandel screen - lit with the lowest possible wattage, and the heavy scent of YSL opium hanging in the air! That apartment seemed so HUGE, as all the floors had been bleached and pickled almost white- with french frames "dancing" everywhere you looked. The library was done in classic upholstered pieces, covered in a trashed out Clarence House print. It all made such an impression on me. The master bedroom had been made from THREE rooms- and the king bed looked like a postage stamp in it. Then Tom Britt would drop in and talk about how exhausted he was, which was totally understandable, since he works like a banshee and loves every minute of it. I'm crazy for Tom, and did work for him one Summer many years ago, an experience I'll always treasure.
Stanley Barrows, the former Parsons School chairman - taught Tom and me, and SB told Tice that I reminded him of Tom when he was at Parsons! Tom and Angelo Donghia shared an apartment while attending Parsons. I just love all of this decorating trivia. It's become an integral part of who I am. Tice, you were a great guy, thanks for the ride, it was fabulous! DF *****

I remember: 1021 Park

In 1929, architect Rosario Candela completed the "L" shaped cooperative apartment house, located at East 85th Street and Park Avenue, New York. While perusing my copy of the Michael Gross extravaganza "740 Park, The Story of the Worlds' Richest Apartment Building" I noticed that Mr. and Mrs. Neil Sedaka were mentioned as saying that they'd first attempted to buy into 740, but were rejected - by the board - along with Ms. Barbra Streisand. So, the Sedakas moved into a large duplex at 1021. Ms. Streisand was also rejected by the board at 1021. The Sedakas lived at 1021 for about fifteen years, before selling to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Weiner, who hired Tice Alexander, a decorator I worked with at the time, while also running my own office in North Carolina- and I remember that the Sedakas had worked with the late Robert Metzger, another designer I worked under. I helped Tice shop, design and install the apartment for the Weiners, and it turned out beautifully, very much in the Parish-Hadley mode. Sadly, the last time I was in 1021, it was to attend a memorial service for Tice. Albert and I rode down in the elevator (we both left early). Prince Michael of Greece made a beautiful speech.

Later, Tice and I designed the Weiners' country house in Connecticut, which was destroyed in a fire. Before he died, Tice asked me if I wanted to take on the project, (before the fire) but I decided to move back to Winston-Salem. So, Albert and Harry Heissman completely re-created what Tice had designed and installed, as the house was re-built exactly as it had been before the dreaded fire.

An interesting footnote, Mr. Weiner was associated with John Kluge, the owner of MetroMedia, and the large house he built near Charlottesville, which was designed by David Easton- was a project that Tice almost worked on. David Easton tried to hire Tice as the project manager for the Kluge estate, but Tice decided he would rather stay in New York, rather than move to Virginia, which is what the job would've required. Also, I do think that the money being offered was just not quite enough, perhaps another zero would have done the trick! DF

The Chic of Small Rooms, Albert Hadley

I found this room shot on the House Beautiful site, and was reminded of my late friend, Mr. Albert Hadley.  Let me share a wonderful story with you.  When Albert would hire a young designer, he would often help them out with making their first apartment in the city into a chic space, with very little financial resources.  Tice Alexander, my late Parish-Hadley mentor, was one such lucky fellow, and Albert helped him to make a 10 x 10 studio in Manhattan on East 69th Street into one very tiny, very stylish jewel box.  It was lacquered by Weidl Brothers in Billy Baldwin Brown, and had one Metropolitan Wire bookcase showing off Tices's amazing decorative arts library, built-ins for his clothes, a full size bed in brown linen, and two white painted and parcel gilt side chairs with lemon yellow Thai silk seats!  There was an old faded gilt mirror hanging above a Parish-Hadley chest, which Tice lacquered black himself, while smoking a Marlboro and sipping a diet Coke.  Lighting was kept very low - and it was a sensational glitter box at night, the only time he was ever in it.  There was also an alcove where the one window was, with a pedestal holding a classical bust.  It was fab, and I thought this room shown reminded me of the old TA flat- so here it is.  ENJOY!  DF *****  ( a good example of less is sometimes more)

Transitions: Albert Hadley

Albert Hadley, the late iconic New York designer, was a man I was very fortunate to know. There are so many invaluable lessons he taught me. What a fantastic designer he was. Having taught at Parsons and worked with Van Day Truex and Billy Baldwin, plus our eminence grise' Stanley Barrows (who died here in Naples), Albert had a vast knowledge of decorative arts history, which was somehow never pedantic. His client list with Sister Parish read like a blue book of high society, and yet, (they) were never mentioned in casual conversation. Just one example of his gentlemanly ways. One of my favorite Hadley-isms was " You must believe it in your heart, your head, and your gut" referring to being a designer or decorator, and your belief in your own point of view, and getting it across to your client, which is the core of what our business is about. My times spent with Albert in his Old Naples cottage were some of my most exhilarating and happy, as we talked for endless hours about iconic people, places, and things. We certainly were not facing a flat screen and ignoring each other! My late friend and mentor, Tice Alexander, was very much trained by Albert Hadley to be a professional (Parish-Hadley) and I had the pleasure of working with Tice for several wonderful and exciting years in New York. I'll always remember the way Albert would smoke those non-filtered Camels, and sip away at his Bombay gin. He loved the fantasy life, and yet was able to live in a very real world, of hard work, steely determination, and brilliant success. I know that dear AH is somewhere in the Park Avenue of heaven, rearranging some chairs, and loving every moment! Farewell Albert, it was great to know you. DF *****

Room of the Week: Miles Redd

I met fellow southerner, MILES REDD, through the famous Bunny Williams, when I went up to her office for a job interview. While no job was proffered, I did enjoy observing the atmosphere of the BW office, (before she moved over to the decorating district) and of course, meeting the smiling and charming Miles (he was working there). Los Angeles tastemaker, Mark Sikes recently posted this Simon Upton photo of a room by fabulous Miles Redd (courtesy Elle Decor) and I was smitten with how chic it was and as always the sensational Redd sense of color. Are you beginning to see that I really do know every decorator in New York, both now and then ? Well, I really do! I just have a sixth sense when it comes to this topic, and it all goes back to Parish-Hadley. One of my college roommates from the mid seventies worked for PH and one of my college instructors from the same time period worked there as well. This culminated with my working with Tice Alexander for several years, who was a decorator for the famed firm, before it closed. Miles Redd is also tied into all of this since, he also is associated with Oscar de la Renta, who is married to Annette Reed. whose mother was a big PH client...so, it's really a very small world dear readers. Enjoy these amazing images from Elle Decor. DF *****

Work, Bravo, Glamour!

"What a dump!"

Kitchen under way

One of the things I learned in a very real way from my late friend and former associate designer, Tice Alexander, is that work is the true glamour. Work! Here, I share some more progress shots from a small unit in a Pelican Bay high rise condo (16th floor) - Enjoy! Speaking of work, I am so enamored of Rachel Zoe and her show on Bravo, The Rachel Zoe Project. I basically think that Ms. Zoe epitomizes what Tice meant, about work being the truest form of glamour and stylish living. When one loves his or her work, it becomes like a marriage, and I feel like Rachel Zoe and I are somewhat married to our careers. Our busy season is now starting, so - as Bette Davis said in "All About Eve" "Fasten your seat belts, we're in for a bumpy ride!" Work! XXOO DF *****

Gunnebo, A Swedish Chateau

I've always loved the style of Sweden, particularly the 18th century decorative arts. Gunnebo Slot (House) has this wonderful room with a concealed door, reminding me of the Upper West Side apartment I shared with Tice Alexander, the Parish-Hadley decorator. Tice very cleverly had a concealed door (I call it a flush door) installed between the living room and the master bath, effectively concealing the passage from one to the next. I camped out on a futon near this door, and enjoyed that time in my life, as I was surrounded by his huge library of amazing books on the decorative arts...it was very enriching, and I almost never watched television, and we had no computer, i-pad, or i-fone...just a few land lines, a fax, and a typewriter! The estimates for clients were cranked out on this IBM typewriter, on triplicate carbon papers...I do tend to carry on about this simpler time, however, my tech phobia seems to have no limits! LOL ! Wish me luck in this brave new world! DF *****

San Francisco Chic

Ann Getty for Alexis and Trevor Traina

Tom Britt for Alexis and Trevor Traina

I had the good fortune to work for the amazing Tom Britt while I was in design school. (FIT) Tom has long worked for the Swansons, and he's Alexis Swanson Traina's godfather. Tom is such a great guy, and a huge talent. I was exposed to the world of the Getty's through my late friend and mentor, Tice Alexander, who, like Tom, hailed from Kansas City... Tice did extensive work for Ann Getty when they were decorating her apartments on Fifth avenue in NYC in conjunction with the extinct firm Parish Hadley... Billy sold this peacock shown in the dining room that Ann fashioned for Alexis in San Francisco! I met Alexis's mother, Elizabeth, through Bill when she came into the (Naples) shop he used to work in called Maison Auclair, now closed. this is all just more decorating trivia, but I wanted to share it with you, dear readers and followers! Enjoy the week! DF *****