Thursday, October 31, 2019

ART: Jennifer Graylock

Dean Farris Interior Design 2019

Here in my own apartment the artist photographer Jennifer Graylock created art for this chair she silkscreened the fabric-! Check out Jennifer and her work here ! DF

Saturday, October 26, 2019

BROCANTE: At Home

Designer Dean Farris's Personal Residence

I always enjoy having a glass of wine or a martini when I get home from the office after a long busy day of decorating and consulting with clients- and love to share this image I created just for you!  DF

Thursday, October 24, 2019

CLASSIC: Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill

From her book "The Life of the House"

Recently, I was perusing this beautiful book, by Lady Henrietta Spencer Churchill, called The Life of the House.  The image shown above, is from the house in Dallas Texas that Lady Spencer Churchill decorated, I found it very interesting, especially the combination of cornflower blue with the lemon yellow.  I was intrigued by the pair of Chinese low tables with cloisonné inlaid panels -something that my mentor Thomas Britt would have used.  This is a very cheerful sitting room, something that the English are brilliant at doing.  Enjoy!  DF

* * * * *

Friday, October 18, 2019

STYLE: Bettie Bearden Pardee

via Bettie Bearden Pardee, Newport

I loved this image from the residence of Bettie Bearden Pardee, in Newport- inspiring for the Fall-Holiday season!
DF

* * * * *

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

NAPLES: The Season, with DFID

 
 
Dean Farris
and
COTTON HOUSE, Interiors

invite you to
THE THIRD FLOOR
this winter...
 

for everything from a pair of custom toss pillows in delicious designer fabric with beautifully finished details to-
 
one beautiful room, or the whole house!
 
Also offering limited office design services!
 
(239) 248-0707
 
* * * * *
 
 


Tuesday, September 24, 2019

ICED TEA: Cornelia in Flower Magazine

Beautiful Cornelia Guest photographed by Michael Mundy for Flower Magazine

A favorite New York memory is meeting famous C. Z. Guest and her beautiful daughter, Cornelia...here she is in her Templeton garden- and check out her fabulous iced tea recipe! (via Flower Magazine)...DF

Templeton was famous for its iced tea. People constantly asked for the recipe, and the secret is fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Ingredients:
  • 2 quarts boiling water
  • 8 herbal lemon tea bags
  • 1½ cups fresh-squeezed orange juice
  • fresh mint
Directions:
  1. Pour 2 quarts boiling water over tea bags.
  2. Brew for 30 minutes and let cool. Remove tea bags.
  3. Add orange juice and serve over ice with fresh mint.
  4. Enjoy!

Saturday, September 21, 2019

SHINING KNIGHT: Ralph Lauren

From Left: David Lauren, Lauren Bush Lauren, Andrew Lauren, Ricky Lauren, Prince Charles, Ralph Lauren, Dylan Lauren, Paul Arrouet, and Jerry Lauren..

Great article in Town and Country about Ralph being knighted for his contribution to fashion !  Great timing with the film Downton Abbey coming out too...Bravo !  DF

* * * * *

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

PARIS: Feelin' Fall-ish


Stéphane Chapelle – 29 rue de Richelieu 75001 Paris – 10am till 8pm

September has me thinking of Paris...DF


* * * * * 

Saturday, August 31, 2019

GARDENS: Penny Bianchi

Penny Bianchi in Montecito, CA

This article about the restoration of the house and garden belonging to designer Penny Bianchi in Montecito
after the second largest wildfire in California history damaged her gardens, garage and guest house- inspired me!  

I was intrigued by this image above, as it has so many elements I like in a house- a touch of age, decadence even, a bit of classical whimsy, a la her friends, the late Tony and Beegle Duquette... it's amazing, inspiring and even, yes, magical- that she (Penny) was able to overcome the devastation and destruction of her charming european inspired property... Kudos to the Bianchis !  DF

* * * * *

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

STYLE: Michael Taylor

Michael Taylor





What could be more soothing and beautiful than this timeless and dramatic bedroom by the late Michael Taylor ? This chamber could just as easily be the work of the late William Hodgins also...so, I consulted with dear Stephen Salny, author of the book, "Michael Taylor Interior Design", and he confirmed that this room was designed by Mr. Taylor, for his client Eileen Michael.  Thanks Stephen!

Notice the big, heavy travertine cocktail table in foreground...the Giacometti slipper chairs, the gilt "frog" chair- and the Dodie Thayer cabbage tureen... the quilting on the bed hangings seems especially luxurious in this setting, speaking eloquently to the raised knot carpet in oyster...a place for sweet dreams...DF

* * * * *




Saturday, August 24, 2019

Floral Inspirations, LILIES/PALM: Naples/Charleston

Dean Farris Interior Design 2019

I always love receiving fresh flowers, and to me, they're a great luxury ... it's also a lot of fun to source greenery from local gardens, such as the owners of this house in Charleston did, (32 Legare)... enjoy!  DF

32 Legare, Charleston, SC
 * * * * *