2017 : A Year To Remember !

A favorite gift this year - Stubbs and Wooton slippers!

What a year!  I ended it with a blast as over sixty dear friends showed up for my birthday!  Thanks again to the hosts, plus my friends and family !

All set for the guests!

Since I received over 82 pictures of the merry revelers, I decided to not show any of them!  No favoritism here!  I was also delighted to be pleasantly surprised as my family came down just for the party!

Pillow in Brunschwig and Fils, "Le Zebre"

Another fave gift (there were many) was this lovely pillow from old friend, Judith Auclair, of Maison Auclair...you can find her at MP Interiors, suite 302, Miromar Design Center, Estero, Florida (just north of Naples)...happy 2018 !!! 

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BOOK: Michael D. Devine

via Miromar Design Center

KRAVET, Candice Olson

Designer Candice Olson, was the celebrity guest for the 2016 Kravet Naples holiday party- she was kind enough to let me appear with her in this image- and Candice has partnered with Kravet for new lines - exciting! 

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The Style-Off - Waterside Shops

The Style-Off - Waterside Shops

Join us to celebrate!  All proceeds benefit The United Way of Collier County.

via The Garden District, Naples

GEORGE BAKER HOUSES, NYC

George Baker house, New York, PART OF A COMPLEX BY Delano and Aldrich

Lovely patron party coming up for Richard Jenrette's preservation society ...

In The Spirit of Christmas II !

With Sherree Phillips Woods, Premier Sotheby's Realty

More holiday celebrations! 
The hostess, Shirlene Woods Elkins, really knows how to throw a party!  Thanks to Sherree for bringing me along...DF *****

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In The Spirit of Christmas !

Christmas 2015

I had great fun the other night, with my friend, Sherree Phillips Woods, at the home of Bob and Shirlene Elkins...
As you can see, a fun time was had by all!  DF *****

Carson Kressley in Naples!

We had a blast last night toasting the Miromar  Design Center "Designers of Distinction" ~it was such fun to have Mr. Carson Kressley as our master of ceremonies, and getting to meet him as well. Read more here !

Mary Meghan Fisher, Carson Kressley, Dean Farris

Alicia del Toro, Dean Farris, Marine Linard

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English Chic: Andrew Martin

Douglas Chair, Andrew Martin U.K. (Miromar Design Center)

More exciting design world news!  Our Andrew Martin showroom, suite 101, at Miromar Design Center is featuring the latest and the greatest, and hosting a fundraiser for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, tomorrow, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm...

Blair chair, Andrew Martin U.K. (Miromar Design Center)

Looking forward to seeing everyone then!  DF *****

Kravet Naples Opening Party

Striking a pose, New Kravet showroom, Bunny wallpaper by Hunt Slonem for Groundworks

Last night, Billy and I attended the re-opening of the Naples Kravet showroom~ formerly located in the Miromar Design Center in Estero, Kravet has moved into a beautiful re-habbed building in downtown Naples.  Hundreds of designers and trade professionals showed up, and the catering and drinks were superb.  Congrats to Amy Jimenez and her team for a beautiful evening out!  DF *****

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Fall 2015 INSPIRATION: Atlanta Style

Book by Danielle Rollins

Miles Redd for Schumacher

Miles Redd for Danielle Rollins via Veranda

Miles Redd for Schumacher

This chair epitomizes gracious Atlanta Style

DFID, my recent floral arrangement inspired by Atlanta Style

These blackamoor busts from Christie's are Atlanta Style

Miles Redd, via AD

When two talented people meet, both from Atlanta, a fabulous thing happens! A synthesis of well bred, informed, fun, classical and up- to- date, gracious, and elegant elements converge...creating my inspiration for Fall 2015 !  Enjoy!  DF *****

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Belmont 2015

Belmont Stakes 2015

Looking forward to attending a Belmont Stakes cocktail party this weekend...DF *****

The Garden District, Naples

Ready for another gala event

Seen at Garden District, Naples

Rufino Hernandez, The Garden District

Garden behind Rufino's shop

Vignette in window, Garden District

It's always fun to visit the Naples shop, The Garden District, which belongs to old friend, Rufino Hernandez.  Rufino does many of the hundreds of charity events here in town, and is very talented.  He also has a very talented staff.  Enjoy these random shots I took yesterday, while shopping for my new New York-Mediterra clients...DF ***** 

Rufino Hernandez

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Home, James

Bentley Mulsanne

I had a blast tonight at the anniversary party given by Naples Luxury Imports~ my automotive enthusiasm knows no limits~ and enjoyed chatting with some of the other guests, as well as Chris Prince, who is now there offering Maseratis and some other luxury marques...(239-659-6725)

Maserati sport coupe convertible

Interior view from above exterior

Rolls test drive

Jaguar

Aston Martin

A Bentley interior

Bentley Continental

Home James !

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Cap Ferrat by Timothy Corrigan

Timothy Corrigan used his Cap Ferrat fabric by Schumacher at the Atlanta Symphony Decorator Showhouse

More exciting news from Timothy Corrigan~ the designer who kicks off our LUXURY HOME DESIGN SHOW at Miromar Design Center, here in Florida...he used his Cap Ferrat fabric from F. Schumacher in the room he designed this year for the Atlanta Symphony Associates Decorator Showhouse, which is also featured in TRADITIONAL HOME.
 
We're certainly looking forward to meeting TC and hosting his book signing party on February 19th...for his book AN INVITATION TO CHATEAU DU GRAND LUCE', DECORATING A GREAT FRENCH COUNTRY HOUSE !!!  

We also have Nancy Brathwaite, India Hicks, and Jason and John from MADCAP COTTAGE coming !  A true designer blow-out! What fun! The excitement is building!  Stay tuned for more!  Enjoy!  DF *****

detail Cap Ferrat F Schumacher

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Super Man, Stephen Jaron

I was more than delighted to see my friend Stephen Jaron, published in the September issue of "Naples Illustrated". Outstanding local businessmen were selected via a vote-in contest sponsored by the hottest lifestyle magazine in the Naples area. Stephen is the owner of two construction companies, the father of twins, and the husband of my good friend Amanda Jaron, the jewelry designer I've posted about here before. A dynamic duo, the couple makes their home here in Naples, and I've very much enjoyed getting to know both of them ever since Amanda asked me to meet her at Starbucks for coffee and conversation, years ago. The last time I saw them together we were all at a private party down at the Port Royal Club thrown by Jon Scott Mueller and Judith Liegeios for old friends. I also enjoyed the issue as it was created by the new editor, Dorothea Hunter Sonne, and look forward to upcoming issues. DF *****

Decorating 101 and Party for Timmie

Had a ball last night hosting our friends Tim and Jerry, and then meeting with Mary in her cottage... here are some random images... I love these gifts I received from Tim and Jerry, and I also like this garden near Mary's house...When in Naples, visit Tim at ST TROPEZ HOME, and Jerry at BR UNO, both are chic boutiques in the historic THIRD STREET SOUTH DISTRICT, here in Naples... ENJOY! DF *****

Bentley Rolls Party

Looking forward to attending the party for the third anniversary of our Naples Bentley dealer, here's a 2012 Rolls Ghost "the baby Rolls" listed for $281,000 and suitable for self driving without looking like a fool. I love it, and I also adore the Bentley Continental Ragtop. I test drove one and fell in love with the smooth 12 cylinder performance, and the massage in the leather seat feature.

It's iconic glamour, even though I call Bentley the Toyota of Naples since you see so many here.

Ever since I heard that James Galanos, the fashion designer, keeps a black Rolls parked in front of his white regency style house in L.A. , I've been obsessed with how elegant they are (Rolls) and love their ridiculous sense of over the top luxury. Enjoy this post! DF *****

YSL Fragrance Pour Homme

Dean Farris Int. Design

I thought I'd show you this beautiful package design, for YSL men's fragrance, following yesterday's post about my friend Sashy and how he used to do all the hair for the late Yves Saint Laurent. Check out this YSL ad on the fragrance www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQYW4SjNKaU&feature=relmfu Billy and I had a blast at the Academy Awards party our friends Charles and Gene threw last night in Chuck's 18th century French style apartment here in Naples. The food was sublime, all variations of seafood mousselines, shaped in molds in classic french cuisine style! We started with a dry french champagne (is there any other kind?) and ended with exquisite mini cherry cheesecakes from Baby Watson. Today, Billy and I went to see "Iron Lady" with Meryl Streep, at the SilverSpot Cinema and enjoyed it very much. I have always been a huge fan of La Streep. ENJOY! DF *****