DFID On My Own...2008

Dean Farris Interior Design 2008

Some of my most fulfilling times, career-wise, have been when I was totally on my own, and just working with private clients- those that I chose to work with.  Every morning, I would wake up and walk from my bedroom across the living room, to the guest room, which I used as an office.  My Porsche Cayman was a short elevator ride down to the garage.  What a life!  A life I designed for myself.

Dean Farris Interior Design 2008

Billy really did a great job of capturing my serene state of mind- and no wonder I looked so good, since I had hair by a former stylist for YSL, skin by Dr. Elizabeth Fox and Dr. Obagi - and wore custom made Holland and Sherry suits with custom shirtings, a Cartier diver's watch and Gucci loafers!  Ha!  You see, I was determined to have the best, and to be the best, and to live the best possible life I could, given what I had to work with.  I worked hard, and I still do.

I do know that my clients were happy with the service I provided, and they still are.   Am I proud? Yes!  And very grateful too!  I'm currently accepting new clients, please call to make an appointment.  (239) 498-9074

(faux rock crystal chandelier by Wilshire Lighting)

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HADLEYANA, designer sketch

Albert's sketch of my apartment

What fun to post about this small sketch I was given by Albert Hadley!  He made it for me as we discussed an apartment I was thinking of moving into about 15 years ago or so.  My dear friend, Susan Swanson, whose company is called Aldecor , framed it for me.  Here are a few more AH sketches I found on Google images...



Albert Hadley

Albert Hadley

Albert Hadley

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CLASSIC: Nancy Reagan Style

via internet

The late Los Angeles Designer, Ted Graber, created this stunning, classic, office for former First Lady, Nancy Reagan.  I was struck by the beauty of the palette as well as the classical elegance of the furnishings.  Compare this 80's creation with the more current one (below).  Click here to read the Wikipedia on Ted Graber.  Enjoy!  DF *****

Summer Thornton Interior Design

 

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STYLE, DFID, Bonita Beach Condo, Before and After!

Our Gasparilla Inn - Old Key West inspired project, continued...these "before and after" shots should give you an idea of what we went through to achieve the finished product.  With the help of our trusted contractor, new moldings were installed, ceilings were skim coated, and an outdoor lanai was enclosed.  Here's the Living Room before-

Old living room looking towards former outdoor lanai (showing new paint and base/crown)

 

And here's a nice finished "after" shot of the new Living Room, including the new Safavieh Turkish rug not shown in the previous post...love the shot of blue!  (Billy found it online).

Looking from the new solarium into the new living room

Loving how the new blue area carpet sets off the key lime walls!

North elevation (before new rug)

Ikat pillow, Pottery Barn, rug, Safavieh, framing on art by ALDECOR, NAPLES

via Gasparilla Inn, Boca Grande

I'm very happy with the look of the old mixed with the new, for example the existing sofas, one of which is a sleeper sofa, were simply re-upholstered in Kravet "Soleil" performance fabric, which is highly practical, and not such a glaring white- since we wanted a more genteel mood as opposed to super modern... and here's a "before" shot of the Den-

Showing new bead board wainscot, new crown, and new ceiling color (also to be walls color)

This small room has a fabulous view, facing east- and we gave it some cottage charm with new bead board dadoes, new crown and a bold choice for color, something Bill really loves.  He found the pillow fabric in Ohio, and it looks quite spiffy here.  We retained another one of his mother's beautiful, vintage, paintings for above the sleep sofa, (also re-upholstered in Kravet "Soleil".)  Here's after...

We kept the existing shell lamps and added two pairs of candle sconces

The kitchen received new tile back splash, and a pale blue paint on the tray ceiling- it looks great since it was updated not too long ago, the guest bath got a new vanity and faucet, much better- and the laundry room was updated as well.  All ready for the upcoming "season"!  This condo faces the Gulf of Mexico, and gets beautiful natural light all day long, and one can hear the surf rolling in on the sugar sand beach!  Enjoy!  DF ***** 

STYLE, DFID, Gasparilla in Bonita Beach

Here's one of my favorite and latest completed projects...all images via Dean Farris Interior Design.  
Our concept was to bring the quaint charm of the Gasparilla Inn at Boca Grande, and some old Key West character, to a classic vintage 1970's era condo on Bonita Beach, just north of Naples.  Enjoy!

DFID sofas in Kravet Soleil 

We decided to keep the conservative, old school styling on the pair of sofas, but added a bit of KW pizzazz with the ikat pillows...and may add a patterned rug here soon.

DFID 1960's oil painting by the client's mother!

 

Here, you can see the doppelganger effect, left over from the previous decorator's arrangement of sofas across from each other.  I love the lily pad painting we were able to save and re-frame here.  Billy found the floral fabric in Ohio and it works very well for toss pillows.

DFID Vintage Waterford chandelier, existing furniture, re-framed oil painting

I'm partial to this bamboo looking furniture in the dining area, and we kept the chairs in their original celadon texture.  That painting was done in 1968!  Love it!  We flanked it with a pair of highly distressed candle sconces.

DFID custom floral arrangement

Here, (above image) you can see one of those sconces- and this really fun sunflower arrangement we created for the bar.  Notice the new tile back splash which continues into the kitchen.  In an homage to dear Carleton Varney, we had the tray ceiling in the kitchen painted a pale sky blue.

DFID  existing floral print table cloth 

That fabulous blue is picked up again in this lamp, which sits on a draped table that serves to provide a visual "divider" between the dining area and the living room...the fabric on the table was from the previous decoration about ten years ago and it was retained to give some old Gasparilla Inn charm.  (and a nod to dear Billy Baldwin).

DFID  view from newly enclosed lanai, aka the solarium

We also re-upholstered this existing "barrel" chair in a very pretty leaf green "microfiber" material, and are keeping the existing rattan coffee table.  Those are my topsiders peeking out from under it!

DFID solarium, formerly the exterior lanai

We gained some square footage by enclosing the former terrace, and found this charming cottage vintage desk and chair, as well as the card table and chairs in a local consignment shop in downtown Naples.  Billy found the map - a perfect addition! (Old Florida from when it was discovered by the Spanish).

DFID solarium reading nook facing the beach

I love this little moment Billy had the idea for, which he calls the "library" -this is the other end of the new solarium.

DFID den, Kravet Soleil cloth on existing sleep sofa, Benjamin Moore paint

We used a bold punch of color in the small den, which pulls triple duty as a den-guest room-home office.  The ceiling is also in poppy red, and we installed some new bead board wainscoting with the help of the talented Elson, the general contractor for this job.  The painting is also by Bill's mother, circa 1965!  The original frame was simply gessoed white.  Notice the seashell glass lamp, one of a pair.

DFID time for a cocktail!  Dean in Ralph Lauren over J. McLaughlin

I haven't enjoyed a remodel/decoration this much in a long time, and wanted to share it with you.  Hope you enjoyed it.  Stay tuned for future updates on this project! DF *****

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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STYLE: Collector's Aerie, Bonita Bay at NAPLES

4851 Bonita Bay Boulevard, 302

Alluring, elegant, enchanting!  When a New York collector arrives in Naples, via Birmingham, what you get is style, style and more style!  We assisted this client who is also now a friend, with the décor of her very spacious third floor condominium.  Jane had also worked with the NYC decorator Clare Fraser...

Sisal by STARK

Painting by MALLY KHORASANTCHI

Perfect for entertaining family and friends!

Porcelains from the Mary Wells and Harding Lawrence estate, LA FIORENTINA

Ralph Lauren lamps, STARK carpet

Ralph Lauren lamps

Large west facing terrace!

Quality, elegance, casual Florida living, and a stunning location in an award winning country club community await the fortunate new owners of 302 !  Click here for further information and the listing via Zillow!

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ROCAILLE ANTIQUES, Atlanta Style

My wonderful friend, the dealer, Charles Robert Mills, has recently updated his site .  Check it out.  Charles is a French decorative arts specialist, but is also very knowledgeable in many other areas of the decorative arts.  DF *****

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CHIC NOW: Alan Campbell

Alan Campbell through MP Interiors

I've always been a huge fan of Alan Campbell, China Seas, and Quadrille....and especially am fond of this "Mojave" wallpaper.  One of my professors at FIT was Albino Cimonetti, who, along with Harry Hinson, Jay Hyde Crawford, and Anthony Tortora founded Quadrille Fabrics. 

Sister Parish and Albert Hadley promoted Alan when he was first starting out, experimenting with batiks and tie dyes, which he used to make in his bath tub!  Follow him on Instagram!  DF *****

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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

WELCOME BACK ! Checking in

Seen at a boutique in Highlands, NC this summer

Yes !, Summer is coming to an end...(first day of Fall is the 22nd) and so, welcome back to DFS all my friends and followers!  One of the high points of my summer was while visiting my family, we all made a sojourn up to Cashiers and Highlands...two charming towns in the remote and hard to reach mountains of southwest North Carolina...oh and finally I'm on Instagram... as @farrisdean...!

One of the many beautiful natural falls near Highlands

Mere words can't describe the beauty and peace of the lovely countryside, some of which is 4,600 feet above sea level...and we had lunch in Highlands at The Ugly Dog Public House, and dessert at Cornucopia in Cashiers...after visiting old friends Hal Ainsworth and Winton Noah at Aerie Manor their elegant home which has been featured in Veranda...

View from Aerie Manor, Cashiers, NC

It was a cloudy day so we couldn't see all four states from the terrace, but on a clear day you can see forever...

Foyer shot I took, Aerie Manor

One of many bars set up in the house, Aerie Manor

Dining Room, Aerie Manor

We had such fun, it was all part of celebrating my dear Dad's (Poppy) 83rd year of living his extraordinary life.  Stay tuned for more later!  (c) DF *****

Aerie Manor Dining Room, via Sotheby's

SUMMER, taking off

Summer dahlias

Taking the summer off...enjoy, and see you in September!