CARNATIONS: A Bunny Favorite

DFID (c) 2019

While many of us don't understand the decorative value of long stem carnations- a look at vintage 70's photographs by Horst will show just how chic they can be-

And it is a fact that the late tastemaker, Bunny Mellon adored the simple yet elegant bloom-  DF

DFID : Accessories in Decor'

Dean Farris Interior Design (c) 2019 (feet, Deans own)

I found this pretty colored Capiz inlaid tray at The Market, North Naples, and love the way the tones tie in with my Wilton Carpet from Chris Smith of Designers Rug, Old Naples- candle is Upper Fifth by Ralph Lauren Home, avail at Mercato and Miromar Design Center-  DF

DFID: Long View LR II

DFID (c) 2019

Here's another quick glimpse of my new "penthouse" living room- with many old things and quite a few new ones added- a beautiful day here in sunny South Florida!  DF

CLASSIC: Tom Britt

My rendering of a Tom Britt room

One of my favorite designers when I worked in New York was Tom Britt. This is one of my favorite rooms that he did in St. Louis or Kansas City and I created an overlay technique where I used a photograph of the room to make the rendering.  DF

COLOR: Apple Green Velvet

Dean Farris Interior Design (c) 2019

Billy and I were exploring the Elephant's Foot Antiques in WPB some years ago and discovered this charming, small scale pair of open armchairs- probably early 20th century copies, they add lots of character to my smallish living room, and of course I adore it when the morning sun gives them that extra glow- and as diminutive as they are, I've had big grown men sitting in them with no problem-! I can't attribute the fabric since it was already on the frames when I got them- but we did see a stunning similar pair on a trip to Palm Desert, upholstered in black alligator stamped leather- so chic!  DF

DFID: Long View LR

DFID (before curtain install)

I liked this shot from before the curtains going up too- keeping the natural light is always a good thing- notice how I retained the Prussian blue ikat rug!  DF

ART: Aldo Castillo Gallery

Buddha, Metis Atash

So, I've been admiring these fabulous Swarovski encrusted works of art by Metis Atash for some time
Available through the Aldo Castillo Galleries, Miromar Design Center- DF

WRAPPED: Breakers Gift Shop

Loving my gorgeous gift Billy brought me from a recent trip to the Breakers Hotel, PB - the turquoise  wrapping looked great with my Le Zebre pillow from dear friend Judith Auclair- !
DF

DFID: Tablescape

Dean Farris Interior Design (c) 2019

The late English designer, David Hicks, promoted, among other ideas, the concept of "tablescapes"
So I too have always enjoyed making these small arrangements of often related pieces mixed with some not related -

Here, I used my favorite selenite candle holders as bases for highly decorative bejeweled balls (probably intended as Christmas decorations?) - a Limoges tray from l'objet purchased at David Fruscione's shop, Republic of Decor- a stack of books, including my signed copy of Beautiful, by Mark Sikes, and a Waterford egg my old client/friend Elaine brought back from a trip to Ireland.
Inlaid horn box, Sean Johnson Atelier.
Lovely!  DF

CHARM: Gasparilla Island

Billy and I enjoyed a day trip to beautiful Boca Grande- (see my earlier posts) today, and enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at The Pink Elephant - I especially enjoyed my pink "craft cocktail" - a jalapeño pomegranate margarita- and some shopping - then Amish ice cream from The Pink Pony- raspberry vanilla- also pink!  What was also fun was the sea mist that rolled in and we got to go by Mrs. Labrecque's beautiful pale pink stucco house- in an area known to locals as "The Gold Coast" - it looks as gorgeous as ever.  We also spent some time looking at pink seashells on the beach, shrouded in sea fog and mist, by the bright aqua sea, made so by the high phosphorous content of the sands there under the water!  One of my favorite decorating palettes has always been pale pink with teal or soft aqua- !  Magic!

Made it back to Naples in time for Tom Brady and then half-time!  DF

LIGHT: Dawn to Dusk, DFID

Dean Farris Interior Design (c) 2019

As you may know - I enjoy watching the light change and how it affects my interior design- and my photography -
When I used to visit Albert in his Naples cottage, we would talk about how his old friend Wilbur Pippin created some of the iconic images in the book The Finest Rooms- an idea suggested by Albert in the pre-digital era-
I recall loaning Albert my copy of the book Dawn plus Dusk - on the work of sculptor Louise Nevelson- what a mad genius she was!  DF

HORST: Inspiring Images

YSL by Horst