BAROQUE STYLE: Judith Auclair, NAPLES

The latest and greatest from Judith Auclair, progress shot, courtesy, MAISON AUCLAIR, NAPLES

While I've posted many times before about my friend, the decorative artist and antiquaire, Judith Auclair, I had to share this image her firm just sent over~a work in progress, but love the grand and massive scale.  Judith has done many large scale installations, including a grotto bathroom in the Caribbean, an over mantel in a 19th century Old Naples cottage, and chandeliers for a new palace in Russia.  Click here to read an article about her and her work! 

courtesy, MAISON AUCLAIR, NAPLES

courtesy, MAISON AUCLAIR, NAPLES

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A Fond Summer Memory

Britt estate, Seashells, I-fone photo: Dean Farris

There was something very sweet and quite special about visiting Tom and Julie Britt after all those years...as if we had just seen each other last week, when in reality, it was more than 20 years since we last met! 
I had taken some random shots of the original house, (where Tom stays), and found this one in my files, and thought of sharing this charming one with you~this table was in the dining room, or Salle A Manger as my late friend Lord Jeremy Fry might have called it.   The simplicity of just those shells, arranged so casually, struck me as nothing short of pure genius.  After all, the sea is not too far away from this house, and so, it's quite suitable.  DF *****

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Classic Coraux

Brunschwig and Fils

I've always loved and admired the classic "coraux" pattern - and recently have been trying out some of the wallpaper from Thibaut , which is from 2003...

and you might say, oh that's so ten years ago, but not me!

This one, above, has a white background with tan coral branches... I was thinking of it for my kitchen.

And this one, above, is in the reverse- white on beige- which one do you like better? I like both although am leaning towards this one...

And I still like this coral sateen I put on a pair of chairs several years ago- I've forgotten whose fabric this is- anyone?

You can also check out Cowtan and Tout, and Brunschwig and Fils for these patterns, in wallpaper and fabric...

Perhaps it all goes back to my love of nature, and certain romantic places like the Oliver Messel estate on Barbados- with its coral stone walls.  

Our talented friend, Judith Auclair makes these fabulous coral encrusted brackets- I think this is exactly what my living room needs!  If you love coral as much as I do, pay a visit to Palm Beach- or MP Interiors here  it's all over Worth Avenue- Enjoy!  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

Thanksgiving Fun!

Chez Ridgeway's Naples

Mary and I had a fabulous, indulgent, yet refreshing day- a very light prix fixe with some divine French Rose' - very dry and like nectar-

My first course, Ridgeway's

The salade mixte, was very good, and just the right touch of a lightly dressed palate refresher-

Coral at Saint Tropez Home, Naples

 I loved this huge coral - in the window of the home boutique called Saint Tropez Home- it was huge!

Brain coral keystone at St tropez Home, Naples

The exterior foundation had this beautiful chunk of coral key stone, something Addison Mizner and Maurice Fatio were very fond of using in old P.B.

Gunner playing with his head warmer

Later, we stopped by to see Kevin and Kira, and the new puppy, Gunner, who was just such a sweet pup, even though he ate my pumpkin pie crust! :)

A rare glimpse of my bedroom!

Ah, and so to bed! I found the lamps on the street in Port Royal- (discarded) and used a duvet cover and shams from Z Galerie.  Notice the Rose Cumming Dessin Fournir Banana Leaves in taupe on the chair, one of a pair in the room- Sleep well, hoping your thanksgiving was as delightful as mine was!
Cheers! DF *****

The Pink Elephant, Boca Grande

Exciting news! DFS is celebrating its third year of existence - tomorrow -! It's my blog, and I built it!  Labor Day weekend is just in time to tie in with this celebration, as well as a Saturday wedding on Marco Island...( a dear designer friend from Rumson, NJ)
Didn't you just LOVE seeing Beau Davidson tonight, on C-SPAN ?!?!?! What a great talent!  
Perhaps this weekend we'll take a trip up to the charming island of Gasparilla, aka Boca Grande.  I love the hotel, and its outpost, called "The Pink" (The Pink Elephant) casual dining restaurant, perfect for lunch.  Order the grouper sandwich and a bloody mary - or just some nice, cold iced tea.  Our wonderful client on BG loves to take us there, and she bought Carleton Varney's apartment in New York.  She also knows Dorrance "DoDo" Hamilton, the Campbell's Soup heiress- who owns many properties on the island.  
I have also had the pleasure of working with JoAnn Barwick, another celebrated BG winter resident, who was the fabulous editor of "House Beautiful" from 1978-1991.  She was then followed by Mr. Louis Gropp, and today, Mr. Newell Turner is the editor. 

I so look forward to our upcoming Winter Season, here in sunny Naples, it's time to rev up the old wardrobe, pull up our socks, and pick up those Gucci loafers!  (from the repair shop)  ENJOY! DF ***** 

Tray Chic: Arranging Decorative Objects

We all have lots of things that we enjoy, but often have no idea of how to display them in a pleasing manner. Just as I was inspired to place a group of similar blue and white porcelains on a small Parsons table, I also was inspired to display a small collection of sea shells, (most of which were purchased as gifts for me) on this chic red lacquer serving tray. I think I got this tray at either Henri Bendel or the old Takashimaya - anyway, I do enjoy the look, and if I get tired of it, I can simply remove the whole thing, in situ, and enjoy the bareness. The current trend has been to get away from too many small, fussy things, and use fewer, larger scaled pieces, when accessorizing a room. However, the love of the personal in decoration often overrides any current trends, and that is certainly the case in my modest apartment. I do what I do for my own personal enjoyment, not because I'm trying to impress any visitors! Enjoy! DF *****

Where Art Meets Craft, Coquillage by Judith Auclair

All images courtesy Donald Auclair

I've known Judith Auclair for many years, and she is truly a talented designer. Her former shop, Maison Auclair Antiques, here in Naples, was a fabulous repository of the unique and the one of a kind. Recently, Judith sent me these images from a recent installation of hers, she has become a very accomplished artist using shells as a medium for creating superb works of decorative art. See my earlier posts on her work, and have a great weekend! Headed into AUGUST!!! Enjoy, DF *****

Brooke and Mimi

Who would you hire to decorate a very nice beach club in Naples, designed by architect John Volk in the 1950's ? Why Brooke Huttig and Mimi McMakin of course ! Here's a shot of one of the rooms they decorated, which I admire very much for its simplicity, sense of color, and low key resort style. Check out the seashell mirror in the background - Judith Auclair in Naples does the BEST shell creations, and her new work can be seen along with David Eastons in the Peter Webster showroom at Miromar Design Center. Judith is a fabulous artist and designer, and her work is becoming very collectable both here and abroad. See http://www.mashellart.com/ for more information on her stunning decorative pieces. DF *****