On My List: Venfield

VENFIELD - a touch of old New York glamour!

Found at Z Gallerie... nice with the coyote throw from Venfield
These are from VENFIELD, not old, but good...good for holding the Vuitton trunks

These are from VENFIELD, to go above the commodes on either side of bed




Santa, these are for my nightstands, from VENFIELD, NYC




These go on the commodes in front of the mirrors VENFIELD

This new bed from VENFIELD will have the orange silk damask as a duvet, with custom linens embroidered in orange from Leta Austin Foster, Palm Beach

This coyote throw from VENFIELD goes at foot of bed, thanks Santa

This piece of french 40's (VENFIELD) goes on glass wall opposite bed, facing view of the city

This sputnik from VENFIELD, will look great on the lacquered brown ceiling

Dear Santa, I want to redo my bedroom for my Christmas present this year! Could I please have the following things? An Edelman leather tiles floor (color to be decided, probably silver) -my walls to be upholstered in a silk damask from Bergamo (color would be a bright deep orange) and for my ceiling I want the painters from New York to lacquer it in a glazed chocolate color, to set off the sputnik chandelier I found at VENFIELD, all of this to be on my list along with this mirrored bed, pair lacquered commodes, pair mirrors, pair zebra benches, mirrored dresser, pair platinum gilt lamps, coyote fur throw, all from VENFIELD in New York! Please may I have it? I look forward to getting all of this soon! Thanks Santa! DF***** PS and a Hunt Slonem painting for above the bed...dreamy! http://www.venfieldnyc.com/

Holiday Entertaining

Love these for on the mantel

Fun peacock feather napkin rings

Glitter pumpkins and gourds for the tree

The Pierre Mirror

The Portico Mirror. James Andrew has a similar one in his NYC dining room

Oceania Mirror, with abalone shell

Bergmann Mirror, I used this in a clients dining room

What could be more glittery and "holiday" than shopping for goodies at Z Gallerie ? They have the most wonderful, pretty, and sparkly assortment imaginable, and here I've collected some of my fave things from their site to share - including some very decorative high style but inexpensive mirrors, which look great hanging behind a Christmas tree, or anywhere you need to add some more holiday magic and sparkle. I just am crazy for shopping at the Z, especially for the holidays and holiday gift ideas. Enjoy! DF*****

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Campion Platt on NYSD

Reading one of my very favorite blogs today, David Patrick Columbias New York Social Diary, I was in the "House" section and fell in love with this photographic portrait of architect/designer Campion Platt... If you haven't seen this or his new book "Made To Order" you MUST! Everything this man touches is informed with a vivid style and character. 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 *****

Educating the Eye

Detail of screen from Mother

This greets you in the foyer

This is hanging over the tub

Detail of a screen in the salon

Naples Regency Style (mansard roof not shown here) New furniture from Restoration Hardware's Klismos Collection

I remember with such fondness discussing design and decor with old pals such as Tice Alexander, another Parish-Hadley disciple, and Albert Hadley as well, and the emphasis that was placed on having an "eye" and a "design vocabulary" and a "point of view" Recently, I spoke with Albert by phone, as I was on my way out to an island near here that has been a long time retreat for the Charles Engelhard family (Annette de la Rentas parents) - where I was working on a significant new house, and AH asked me what or how I would describe my style. Quickly gathering my wits, I very happily told him that I felt that I was a promoter of the neo classical married to the 21st century (paraphrasing myself). I thought it sounded good at the time, and I have no idea what he thought of it. All I know is, Mr Hadley has a way of bringing out the best in a designer, and he is the best mentor I could ever have had. So now, like Vicente Wolf and many others, I am constantly refining my designer eye by photographing anything that captures my attention, and here are some images I captured on a recent visit to the Edelman project, another favourite house I've been fortunate to work on. (Edelman Leather) Enjoy ! DF *****

Terrace With A View

I recently had the pleasure of consulting on a large house downtown, very near Governor Rick Scotts place, and thought I'd share this roof top terrace and pool view with you. I look forward to showing some completed interiors and exteriors in the coming year. Wish me luck, as these houses can be quite a challenge. It's all in a days work for a busy Naples decorator ! Enjoy the week, DF *****

On the Market: At Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau’s home, outdoor living is part of the fun

On the Market: At Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau’s home, outdoor living is part of the fun

The Decorator Grouping

Topiaries from Floral Ecstasy, Miami, Florida

Sunburst mirror, after Line Vautrin, WISTERIA

Room before I hung the grouping...

What on earth, you ask is a "decorator grouping" ? Is it a convention, a meeting or ...? Here, I hung a few things I already had, including a rendering I did for Harry Schule and Ned Marshall, of the Brighton Pavilion inspired Dining Room of Mary Gilbert - on Fifth Avenue in New York City. As well, a small 19th century engraving of a charming red breasted bird, and some playful "putti" that was a gift from good friend Jerry Kraft. I love the instant intimacy and personal look I was able to get here. It is always a good idea to hang your pictures in a group like this if they are not large and important works of art. If you own a major painting, it can certainly stand on its own. I also suggest hanging family photographs in groups and the more there are the better. I prefer them all black and white, and matted and framed in a consistent manner. I usually do this in a hall, or a family room. It warms up the space, and guests love to ogle the pictures, especially viewed through a glass of wine or vodka ! Enjoy the holiday today, as it states in Lisa Birnbaums Preppy Handbook, "Holidays are a great excuse to DRINK" !!! (paraphrase) ENJOY ! DF *****

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

I dream of visiting Turkey...not so much eating it on Thursday. Here is the beautiful hotel - on the famed Bosphurus... where my late friend Tice had stayed. He was a friend of Mr Omer Koc... a leading citizen of Istanbul. This hotel is amazing. Enjoy these pictures I borrowed from the web. DF *****

High Drama

photography by Dean Farris

I couldn't resist sharing this shot of my lighting design for night time drama. Without light, there can be no beauty, thus the uplighter a la David Hicks... It's amazing what these small uplights can do, used in a creative fashion, or as a way to emphasize a favorite painting or art object. I also am very partial to portrait lights, and was recently in the former home of a professional athlete, where the primary light source was from picture lights, on dozens of oil paintings in salon style frames. The heavy gilt, carved frames jumped out in high relief, very dramatic ! Enjoy the upcoming holiday week. DF *****

Campion Platt in Naples !

Exciting news ! Star architect/interior designer CAMPION PLATT will be here in Naples on Thursday December 2, to give a talk on his work and projects. (see link to Miromar design center below). His home in Palm Beach was recently featured in the Palm Beach Daily News (see link for PBDN below). Star clients include Al Pacino, Meg Ryan, and Conan O'Brien. I would say that Mr. Platt is a modern day version of Maurice Fatio. Enjoy ! DF*****

Sneak Peek: Taj Falaknuma Palace

The hotel, after renovation, courtesy ROBB REPORT

Sneak Peek: Taj Falaknuma Palace