Flag Day and Remembering ET

I enjoyed watching the GOP debate last night, and felt that Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain were the other standouts, besides our front runner, Mitt Romney...how appropriate that today is Flag Day! Keep an eye out for the July issue of AD, as Elizabeth Taylor will be featured! Also just got a heads up that Midnight in Paris is definitely worth seeing, (thanks Jude)...and my clients are in Prague right now shopping for chandeliers, which pictures of are being sent to me by email...have a great day! XXOO Dean

San Francisco Chic

Ann Getty for Alexis and Trevor Traina

Tom Britt for Alexis and Trevor Traina

I had the good fortune to work for the amazing Tom Britt while I was in design school. (FIT) Tom has long worked for the Swansons, and he's Alexis Swanson Traina's godfather. Tom is such a great guy, and a huge talent. I was exposed to the world of the Getty's through my late friend and mentor, Tice Alexander, who, like Tom, hailed from Kansas City... Tice did extensive work for Ann Getty when they were decorating her apartments on Fifth avenue in NYC in conjunction with the extinct firm Parish Hadley... Billy sold this peacock shown in the dining room that Ann fashioned for Alexis in San Francisco! I met Alexis's mother, Elizabeth, through Bill when she came into the (Naples) shop he used to work in called Maison Auclair, now closed. this is all just more decorating trivia, but I wanted to share it with you, dear readers and followers! Enjoy the week! DF *****

Room of the Week, Joe Nye

photo courtesy House Beautiful

I very much like this bedroom, which belongs to designer Joe Nye, in Los Angeles, and was featured in House Beautiful...also I got a mild kick out of seeing my old friend from New York, Arthur Dunnam, on the show "Selling New York" on HGTV last night. Arthur is the head designer at Jed Johnson, and was always very kind to me when I lived in the city. I also as you know have seen another old friend from New York, Peter Dunham, on the new show called "Million Dollar Decorator" on Bravo. Peter lives in Los Angeles and is a decorator with his own line of fabrics. It seems that every magazine I open and every show I see on television is now featuring people I know from my New York days...very exciting! Have a great day dear readers. DF *****

Texas Talent and Style

Imagine my delight at receiving an invitation from a new client to visit her home here in lower Port Royal! She's from Texas, and is the most charming down to earth lady imaginable, with a great personality and a fun sense of humour! She loves Tory Burch tote bags too. Strangely, I had done another house on her street (Sabre Cay Lane) years ago for two gentlemen from Jacksonville, Florida who own a large boat (read yacht). And I do know the realtor my new client bought her house from, since it was his house she bought! Fabulous! Love it! Speaking of Texans, I also love and admire the Texan designer Jan Showers of Dallas. Here is a stunning and very evocative image from Jan that simply resonated with moi...(that's me in french) LOL. Off to work, must get up and dressed and out the door...As George Lopez would say, "hit me with a scone"! DF*****

Champagne Taste: Scalamandre'

I really enjoy drinking Veuve Clicquot, while perusing the new Scalamandre' wallpaper books... I have so much to celebrate, seeing old friends on "Million Dollar Decorator" - loving every minute of it, and just celebrating my new life on the beach, designing a from the ground up estate in South Carolina, and wondering which new project is coming up out of the blue. Still getting organized in the office, and looking forward to a great Summer. Stay tuned for more to come! Dean *****

Decorator Scrapbook XII

Tom Britt, New York

Kreiss Collection, now open in Naples

Love this rustic elegance

Christian "Bebe" Berard, Paris

Enjoy these random images! DF *****

Home Sweet Home, Cozy or Grand?

New York, New York

Naples, Florida

I love the over the top chateau Mr Clark built in New York City, now the site of the 960 Fifth Avenue apartment house... yes, its vulgar, overdone, and a bit scary, but back then the robber barons (his fortune came from vast copper mines) had unlimited resources...

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Here too, is an aerial view of my cozy cottage condo by the sea, which I love just as much, although I have no staff or servants rooms, it suits me and the way I live now. Have a great day, wherever you may be... DF *****

6.3.11: Brett Beldock | New York Social Diary

6.3.11: Brett Beldock New York Social Diary
great interview! DF *****

Classique-Fit Small Plaid

Classique-Fit Small Plaid
I love these Faconnable chemises, and my friend, designer Joe Rosen was wearing a beautiful PINK one last night at his cocktail party. Joe has homes in New York City and Naples, Florida. Great party Joe! Loved those medallions of "saumon"...thanks again! Dean

Vista Royale, Naples

Vista Royale, through realtor, Michael Lawler

Dean Farris Interior Design, Naples

Table, Spencer Ott, New Orleans

The view of Vista Royale from my residence

Looking northeast from my residence

Old Glory

Enjoying this beautiful weather, I had my morning coffee out on the dock, and then, my cocktail hour glass of red wine - the breezes! The sunset reflecting back onto the bay was majestic. I caught these shots as well as some in my new living room, to share with you, dear readers. Have a fantastic weekend! Having drinks tonight with friend and designer Joe Rosen, who once lived on the site where Vista Royale now stands (see these pics) - these townhouse units each have their own elevator, pool, boat dock, garage, and are gated as well, with magnificent long bay views up Moorings Bay here in sunny, gorgeous Naples, Florida. Enjoy! DF *****

Pauline and My Party

One of the most beautiful rooms I can imagine...

Wearing hot pink Elton John style glasses from The Party Store

Had those batik napkins for YEARS!!!

Those roses again...

Dining "al fresco"

You gotta love having fresh roses in the casa!

The late beautiful, striking Baroness Pauline de Rothschild, nee Potter, was an elegant arbiter of style and taste. One of my favorite room shots is from when she had a flat or "set" at the Albany, in London. It just exudes European beauty and sophistication. My old late friend and mentor Tice Alexander, who worked for years as a decorator at the former Parish Hadley decorating firm, admired Pauline very much, and once bought Liz Shean's Pauline inspired settee from her Kips Bay showhouse room...which he then placed in Fred Bricker's upper Park Avenue apartment where he was living at the time. Funny, tonight I saw his old friend Peter Dunnam on the new Bravo show called Million Dollar Decorator! They all seem to have British accents...as does dear Peter. Friend Charles Robert Mills of Atlanta shared this (de Rothschild) image with me, which DFID now has in its files.

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I wanted to share a few shots from last nights casual dinner party Billy and I threw for some good friends and clients... there was a wonderful breeze last night and so, we enjoyed lovely al fresco dining, nestled between the pool and the beautiful Moorings Bay. I loved every moment, and received some very nice host gifts too. Sleep well tonight! XXOO Dean *****

Stay Tuned for June!

Stay tuned for exciting updates! DF *****