The Dean's List 07-02-10

Room by Mario Buatta

The Dean's List for Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Dominick Dunne

Beverly Hills, California

English libraries

White linen trousers

Having your portrait painted

Living in Paris in April - May

Driving a car you love

Loyal friends

Lantana

C'est Suzanne (blog)

July !

I can hardly believe that it's the first of July ! This year is certainly going fast... Billy and I will again be celebrating the fourth at the Harris's in Aqualane Shores. I met Johnny and his wife Ellen through my famous friend Mr. Albert Hadley... looking forward to seeing them as always, one of the most attractive couples in town. Have a great holiday weekend ! DF *****

Breakfast With Andy

I finally have a skirted dining table, thanks to Mary, and I love how the vibrant silk plaid looks with my classic Andy Warhol cow "wallpaper" print. I'm serving a simple but healthy course of Gallettine wafers (from Tuscany) with Smuckers peach preserves, Tropicana orange jus, fresh coffee in my Bon Jour french press. Chargers from Over and Back (Italy), bread plates are Christofle "Louvre" with "Chinon" flatware. Juice glasses are from Chelsea Gardens. Meissen style bird candle holders from Jennings, Naples. Have a great day ! DF *****

Decorator Scrapbook III

I enjoy creating these random artistically inspired posts... here are some images that intrigue me, for various reasons. Enjoy ! DF *****

French Country Checks

My dear friend Mary loaned me these pillows recently, and I placed them on the settee that I'm relentlessly changing... I do like the way the soft gold color is playing off of the other colors in the space. These checks have been used for years as an outside back on armchairs... very classic and timeless. DF *****

Vintage Inspiration

Another wonderful image from my dear friends at Bonnet House. I could't resist sharing this - it captures the spirit of Summer on the riviera !

DF *****

6.25.10: Paula Caravelli | New York Social Diary

6.25.10: Paula Caravelli New York Social Diary

The Dean's List 06-25-10

The Dean's List for Friday, June 25th 2010

Old houses that have been maintained

Cutting gardens with boxwood hedges

Well behaved children

Classic chintz from Lee Jofa and Brunschwig & Fils

Cocktail parties

Knowing cell phone etiquette

Polished marble bathrooms

Good manners

Pink roses next to the bed

Sterling silver picture frames

DF *****

Shimmery Silk

I'm all about this Donghia silk woven with small round mirrors... I'd use it for curtains, pillows, and a duvet cover... great as a wall upholstery in a small foyer, with a tented ceiling of the same material... Chic, fun, elegant - silk is all of these rolled into one. DF*****

Decorator Scrapbook II

Blackamoor mirror from M.S. Rau, New Orleans

Salad plates from Anthropologie, Naples

Custom lacquer table, Harris house, Naples

Roman Grandeur

Imagine having a hall in your home like this one... there is such a house belonging to an ancient family in Rome. Inspired by the palace of Versailles, this example represents the power and wealth held by the family. I don't think you'll be seeing anything like this on HGTV makeover programs... for in good design, architecture always precedes decoration. In this case, much of the decoration was incorporated into the architecture. DF *****

Progress Nine Months Later

Another lovely sunset in Naples

Love this Madeline Weinrib carpet !

Table - Knoll, Chairs in Edelman Suede


The new Kitchen with Electrolux appliances

Monique Shay table and chairs, Flos italian lights

While a remodel always takes a while, nine months to a year seems about right, and this time it was a house as opposed to a condo. Here are some progress shots I took recently at the Wilson (nee Edelman) residence here in Naples. Contractor was Robert Lenahan, Naples. I also like this mood shot of my "salon" which I took just when the light was changing to that wonderful electric blue... DF *****