Patience and Progress, Naples

Having worked on this residence for over six months now, we're finally getting to install some of the new furniture, and the backgrounds have nearly been completed, as well as the new draperies, and lighting.  I must say, Chachie and Tomas outdid themselves on these new satin pillows we ordered!


Albany sofa by Kreiss, pillow satin by Kravet

That beautiful new carpet, shown above, is through Interiors by Design West, and the colours are silvers, greys, browns, and taupes- which we carried through in the scheme.  Our decorative painter, Leland Brinkman, is shown below, applying a wet coat of plaster and then dragging it with a broom- creating a deep texture.  After the plaster dries, he'll then glaze over it with a special mixture containing shiny glass beads!  It gives a wonderful look when completed.

We also commissioned Leland to add new custom glazed finishes to the Foyer ceiling, and the Dining Room niches and ceiling-shown below- in soft tones of pearl, champagne, and silvery grey. Shown below.

While we're re-designing the entire house, I chose to focus on these rooms today, and below you can see where we have to wait for our new tables- we ordered a pair to sit side by side, from a company called Global Views, which will reinforce the two pairs of chairs that flank the sofa-
Looking forward to showing the completed project!  Enjoy!  DF *****



Pair chairs by Swaim, design by Design West, Inc.
Designers, Glenn Midnet and Dean Farris

   
  

Bruno Lafourcade - Provence

I was most charmed and intrigued by this room, in a restored building, in the south of France.  Bruno Lafourcade restored the building and converted it into a livable home away from home for Atlanta residents, Ginny and Craig Magher. 
Based in Saint-Remy de Provence, Mr. Lafourcade and his son, Alexandre' have created an exciting niche business, and only accept about 15 commissions per year.  Jean Rafferty wrote a great piece on them in the NYT in 2006...
Joni Webb, of Cote de Texas, recently focused on the talent of Ginny Magher, who is a decorator in Atlanta.  This room shows what I love- the synthesis between classic architecture and finer interior design and decoration.  ENJOY!  DF ******

Room of the Week: LeGare Street

The word is out- Charleston is HOT! Of course, we in the South have always known this, and are most proud of this elegant old grande dame...Apparently, Ms. Carolyne Roehm, the famous NY socialite-designer has now bought a place in Charleston.  The area known as SOB, or South of Broad, incorporating the famous Battery has become an ultra chic place to have a pied a terre, and you can even buy one from a descendant of one of the oldest families in town, Mr. Daniel Ravenel... known as The Sword Gate House, 32 Legare was built in the early 19th century for a Huguenot colonist. 


32 LeGare Street, Charleston

 I was checking out Charleston real estate listings, since my clients have their place there on the market (people flying in from all over the world to view it in person)  and found this elegant and stunning room located in a significant property located in their neighborhood at 32 LeGare Street...asking $23,000,000.00 -!  I still remember not too long ago, shopping with my client in the Gucci shop on King Street, and there was this absolutely gorgeous woman shopping there with her teen aged son...and she was dripping in Hermes' and was sporting a diamond ring that must have been a good twenty carats...


Beautiful Carolyne Roehm, NYT

 Which reminds me of a very charming story I read on the NYSD, attributed to Peter Evans;
"Christina Onassis once told me that she wore diamonds at breakfast, because (they look so pretty in the morning sun, you have no idea how erotic men find dew on the rocks) she smiled mischievously!  I just love that !  Very imaginative.  Interesting note- CR's New York drawing room has brown velvet walls, and so does this Charleston salon, and gauffraged to boot! 


Book by Carolyne Roehm

O.k., so I know I drop a LOT of names in this little old blog, but you know what, it's my blog, and if you don't like it you don't have to read it! LOL!  Here's a great book CR came out with, I highly suggest it as a fabulous decoration for one's own low table...ENJOY!  DF ***** 
PS: we were very saddened to hear of all the loss of human life under the fury of the storm called Sandy...
  
  

Decorative Richness, Rose Cumming

I finally received my fabulous copy of the new Jeffrey Simpson book called "Rose Cumming Design Inspiration" - (Rizzoli) !  What a delicious treat.  This is a great history and Roger Comeau of Dessin Fournir, has saved the company- Christopher Petkanas also did a fabulous piece on Rose in the NYT...

The drawing room

Colour Story

Another beautiful room by Rose Cumming

I felt a personal connection to the new book, since I knew Ron Grimaldi, and met Mrs Cecil, the sister of Miss Rose.  Too, Albert used to talk to me about knowing Rose, and of course, I was also exposed to her by another fab mentor, Tom Britt...and when I was a young man of about 17 or so, I very serendipitously discovered her ancient and mysterious shop, on Park Avenue, near 53rd Street- (since demolished). And- my friend Marcy, has a sister, Mary Jo, who married into the Cecil family- related to the Vanderbilts by marriage- as in BILTMORE...

Biltmore Estate, property of the Cecil family

I recall Ronald or someone telling me that Gloria Vanderbilt, (whom he helped to decorate her Sutton Place apartment) once paid about $16,000.00 for one pillow, and I adore shocking my clients and customers off the street with this little tidbit of decorating trivia!  I also was most interested to learn that my idol, Michael Taylor, placed a large order for "Carisbrook" and that is what launched the revival of Rose's fabrics after her death in the sixties, fostered by Ron Grimaldi and Eileen Cecil.


Tom Britt's drawing room




Carisbrook, by Rose Cumming, through Dessin Fournir

  The beautiful and exotic birds in Tom's upstairs salon, once hung in Miss Rose's "Ugly Room" a space she created to show how anything from nature was valid, and to express her unique point of view- there is a colour plate of this room in the famous book "The Finest Rooms" and I would urge you to reference the book, and the image I am describing, to get the full impact of how special the work Miss Rose did really was.  Enjoy the day, wherever you are! DF *****

Nate Turner In Naples!

Margaret Russell and Nathan Turner

Good News! Designer Nathan Turner, of Million Dollar Decorator fame is headed our way! He'll be here at the design center on Thursday, November 8th at 11:00 am.  And, speaking of the Miromar Design Center, my friend Mark Fanta - of Webster and Company- is hosting a trip to Paris next year, for designers only! Check it out, and enjoy the day!  DF *****

Kelly Sweeps Floors, And So Do I...!

We've been in a heavy mode of Carolinas influenced design lately, having just come off of the High Point Market, returning as well from South Carolina for a client in Greenville, and our long time clients in Charleston have listed their South of Broad house on the real estate market.  And, fellow designer and South Carolina native, Kelly Wearstler, lately of Los Angeles, has been on our minds too!

Continuing in the vein, our Charleston clients are using Brunk Auctions, of Asheville, NC to dispose of their collection- which they have spent their lives amassing.  Andrew Brunk recently left his post (after five years) at Christie's New York as head of American Decorative Arts, to return to Asheville and work in his family owned auction business.  Designer Kelly Wearstler, shown here sweeping up for her One Kings Lane sale this past Summer, is a great natural talent, and her mother also owned a business dealing in antique furnishings.  Sometimes, if you want something done, it's better to just go ahead and do it oneself!  Any good decorator knows this, and I've seen the best of them get down and dirty, and I am no different.

                                          Andrew Brunk, Brunk Auctions, Asheville

Here's the Charleston drawing room in its latest incarnation.

Here it is as we first designed it, and we had submitted it to Architectural Digest, but decided to not publish it, and it was also submitted to The World of Interiors... That's Lord Byron over the mantel, the house dates from 1830, and is on Saint Michael's Alley, behind the famous church which had its steeple blown askew by hurricane Hugo.  The man who straightened it back upright was our contractor on this extensive remodeling and restoration project, which took over two years.

While shopping in Monaco, at the biennale des antiquaires there, we saw this beautiful paint colour on some shutters, and were able to order the same paint from a French source for our shutters...

Here again, is beautiful and uber talented Kelly Wearstler, a native of Myrtle Beach, SC! Kelly recently launched her own clothing line, and has built a very strong brand for herself, comparable to Tory Burch.  I'm thrilled that Naples is getting its own Tory Burch boutique.  Don't you just love this shot of KW?  Kelly, aka Mrs. Brad Korzen, also has four design books published, one of which I show below, she is a tour de force of talent, as well as the mother of two sons!  Can you say "Steel Magnolia" ?  Enjoy!  DF *****

Beautiful Boca Grande

One of the "secret" places in Florida- very hard to reach by car, and unknown to all but the most discerning of Florida travellers, Gasparilla Island- also known as Boca Grande- is the most charming and "old Florida" of towns in an island setting.  We took some friends there for the day on Sunday, had a fabulous lunch at the casual restaurant called The Pink Elephant -"The Pink"- and Dickie and I had black grouper "sliders" with a Sonoma Cutrer chardonnay...then we all mosied over to the hotel, known as the Gasparilla Inn, a very interesting old building from 1911- 

Nothing is more pleasant or enjoyable than sitting on one of the rockers on the front loggia of the hotel.  First owned by Barron Collier, then Bayard Sharp, and now the William Farish family, the hotel has been freshened up and is ready for the upcoming social season.  Boca Grande is also known as the tarpon fishing capital of the world.  The decor is like a screaming old money Palm Beach-Greenbrier look- all butter yellow walls, pistachio green carpets, and pinks and blues on seating pieces.  The lounge called BZ's (after Bayard Sharp) was my favorite, done in a very updated tropical look, with murals, seagrass, rattan, and a stunning pecky cypress ceiling, with killer views of the golf course and the back bay.

Here, (above) is the old train depot, from when old Boston society would come down in the early part of the 20th century and stay a while...one can still see the tracks behind this building.

The boys insisted I get a shot of this adorable pink fuel pump- only on Boca Grande would you see this, the islanders are often seen cruising the village in their golf carts, complete with the golden retriever riding on the back.

This chair, from Hickory Chair, reminds me of the wall colour at The Gasparilla Inn...notice the small parsons table, a gift to me from the late Albert Hadley.  Rose Cumming banana leaf print in taupe on vintage chairs, small bouillotte lamp I got in the village in NYC.  Garden seat from Naples Lamp Shop, Naples.  The standing lamp behind the chair was a gift.  If you ever come and see me in Naples, maybe we can visit the island, a most charming place to visit...

Billy and I consulted on this house on Gasparilla Island, along with Carleton Varney, the New York designer, and two ladies who are the Brooke and Mimi of Boca Grande...many of the older properties on the island were designed by noted architect F. Burrall Hoffman, who is also credited with Viscaya, in Miami.  Hope you enjoyed this glimpse of an enchanted place, DF ***** 

A Neo-Georgian Dream House

I'm most excited to share with you some progress shots of the new house we are helping to design and build in the lovely "up country" of South Carolina...for dear clients I have worked with for over thirty-five years, who are also dear friends after so many years of collaboration.  Bill and I just returned from the job site- and we had a very nice time while working on site with the builders, architects, and other contractors...

This clubhouse building is one of our inspirations for the new house, which comprises over 11,000 square feet of living space. 

The sunroom on the rear side of the house will be similar to this

 

                

I took this shot by pointing my camera straight up the elevator shaft

We liked this cabinet by Fairmont for one of the eight bathrooms

Stay tuned for more coming soon to a screen near you! DF *****

P.S.   Check out the Bespoke Bloke blog... it's fantastic!





Room of the Week, Atlanta

While researching the Swan House, an Inman family residence, now a house museum, I came across this image of what I assume is the library- the warmth, the classical proportions, and the cohesive interior design appeals to me greatly. Not trendy, but based in a tradition of classicism- this room will never be "dated" as decorators like to say, nor will it ever be called the dernier cri, (the latest thing) or seen on a makeover show on HGTV...it's elegant ambience reminds me of private clubs I've been to, such as the Georgetown M street club, the Old Town Club in Winston-Salem, NC, and the fabulous old New York private clubs...and also the home of Edsel Ford II - in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI which I was exposed to while working with the late New York designer, H. Parkin Saunders, of Saunders and Walsh, Inc. 
This room could be the work of David Richmond Byers, III - a noted Atlanta decorator who also worked on the White House.  If you, dear reader, know who the designer of this "room of the week" was, I'd love to know. Just post a comment below.  Enjoy!  DF *****

David Byers flanked by Julie and Pat Nixon, 1971

Georgia On My Mind, Historic Properties

As a native of the great state of Georgia, U.S. - I've been most fortunate to be exposed to a high taste level and a love of tradition, that comes with growing up in the South.  Four iconic properties come to mind, one in Thomasville, two in Atlanta, and one in Savannah...  Georgia also has amazing homes in places like Jekyll Island, Sea Island, Albany, and Macon.

Pebble Hill, 1896

The "Big Room" at historic quail shooting plantation, Pebble Hill, Thomasville, GA  I admire the murals, coffered ceiling, carpet, and interesting arrangement of furnishings.  See my previous post on Pebble Hill Plantation- under Gillionville - Town and Country... notice the fresh ferns in the planter - I read that Paige Rense always abhorred ferns. Interesting bit of trivia.  I find it interesting too that the decorator here did not try too hard to match the mural colours.

Knollwood, 1911

This one hundred year old plus house in Buckhead, northwest Atlanta, is on Woodhaven Road...it recently sold for around six million... I very much admire the vine covering (creeping fig?) the lower central block, and am using this house as a good example of a proper brick colour for the new house we are helping to build in Simpsonville, SC.  This house presents an impressive, yet warm and inviting facade, and I believe it is attributed to the firm of Hentz, Reid and Adler.  Please correct me if I am wrong! The house is adjacent to the governor's, and it is said that Teddy Roosevelt dined here.  Buckhead is also home to the beautiful Inman house, called Swan House- also by Phillip Trammel Shutze. (see below) of HRA...

Swan House, 1928



Mercer-Williams House, 1860

Above, another favorite room, from The Mercer House, in Savannah.  Bill and I toured the house a few years ago, and of course enjoyed it, since the publication of "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil" was such a sensation, exposing a slightly sinister world of high society antique dealing that occurred while Mr. Jim Williams owned the house.  This room is referred to as "The Ballroom" and Jim Williams was known for his lavish annual Christmas party, which was like a miniature Mrs. Astor and her elite "four hundred" ball- which helped one decide whether one was "in society" or not! (a bit of ancient social history) I very much like this lilac wall colour shown here.  I'm sure that Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis loved it too, when she visited Mercer House.  Enjoy this glimpse into the old South, a place where mystery and intrigue still thrive!  DF*****

Contemporary Classical, The Genius of Andrew Skurman

I was very pleased to receive an advance copy of the newly released architecture book, "Contemporary Classical, The Architecture of Andrew Skurman" from the Princeton Architectural Press.

This is a beautifully produced, extremely high quality production, and I think it is a must for anyone interested in neo-classic American architecture.  It's also a great companion to "Rooms To Remember" (Suzanne Tucker - who took over Michael Taylor's business) and the book "Michael Taylor Interior Design" - both of which I've posted about here before.  I was thrilled that one of Mr. Skurmans projects was inspired by a 1940's house in my home town of Albany, Georgia- by Edward Vason Jones.  Here's a fantastic quote from Andrew Skurman, describing his personal philosophy of what makes great architecture.  "I believe that a house wants to be comfortable and welcoming, to express the history of the family, present, past, and future.  Classicism is an expression of this passing of the generations.  If one builds a home, it is compelling to think of it lasting for eternity, both as a work of art and as a sanctuary from the outside world, surrounding you in the warm splendor and beautiful proportions of its classical lines"

This image demonstrates the warmth of classicism that Mr. Skurman refers to... 

One picture is worth...first impressions...architecture by Andrew Skurman

An incredibly beautifully proportioned and detailed stair hall by Andrew Skurman.  Mr. Skurman is principal and owner of San Francisco- and Paris-based Andrew Skurman Architects, which he founded in 1992.  Amazon currently has eight copies of his book available for immediate purchase.  Enjoy!  DF *****  www.papress.com  Images, courtesy P.A.P. New York

Kreiss Collection, a Legacy of Fine Design

I'll have to make several more posts to cover the history of this fascinating American success story, a true family legacy, and a powerhouse of Southern California interior design and furnishings.  First founded in the late thirties, by Mr. Murray Kreiss, the company has been handed down through four generations of the Kreiss family.  Recently, the corporate offices were moved from San Diego to Beverly Hills, on world famous Wilshire Boulevard.  Above, a fabulous portrait of matriarch, Eileen Kreiss.  I got to see this fairly large work of art "in person" when I paid a visit to the old Coral Gables showroom, just before it closed - to be re-opened in the chic and exciting new Miami Design District.  (Now open for business on NE 39th)

I love this shot of Eileen and Loren, when he was quite a bit younger.  It's obvious to me that Eileen Kreiss was a truly elegant and obviously beautiful lady- Look at that chic and stylish ensemble she is wearing!  You can see more vintage family portraits like this one on the beautiful and informative Kreiss web site - www.kreiss.com and I certainly hope that, if you should find yourself in sunny Naples, Florida, you'll stop in and say hello, I am there every day except Monday... (239) 249-6800 in the fabulous new Mercato mixed use complex.

Here's a glimpse of our one year old showroom, one of only nine in the entire United States!  There are now five in California, three in Florida, and one in Arizona.  This shot I took myself, features a setting containing an Aria sofa, a pair of Gatsby wing chairs, Aria low table, and a pair of Centaur benches, with a custom Sabre ottoman, all on a gorgeous silk and wool carpet from Feizy of Dallas.  The art above the Aria sofa is by Carol Fenzel, available exclusively through our Kreiss featuring Interiors By Design West showroom.

Kreiss Panama sofa, Montreal table, pair London lounge chairs, Panama bench, and pair Albany floor lamps, flanking a large work by Artist Carol Fenzel.  Custom toss pillows in designer fabrics and trims through Design West.  Congo area carpet by Feizy, Dallas.  Everyone who visits our showroom raves about the comfort and beauty of this room setting.

Here, Tom and Loren Kreiss share martinis at Mr. Chows, Bev Hills, in 2010.  I always loved going to Chows in Manhattan.  As you can see here, Loren is now a young man, and is taking on a new leadership role within the firm.

This beautiful residence was done for Magic and Cookie Johnson, and featured in Architectural Digest.  We are now designing the sixth house for the Johnsons.  Over the years, Kreiss has designed homes for among others, the Reagans, the Sinatras, Bruce Springsteen, Janet Jackson, and Michael Jordan.  We try not to drop names, but with a client list like this...

A 1994 image features Mr. Tom Kreiss with President and First Lady Reagan.  I recall the family my father worked for, for many years, lived behind the Reagans.  It was always fun to visit Southern California, when my brother and I were just boys, and we had such a blast terrorizing the hotels our parents checked us into. LOL!

Above, our glam conference room, here in Naples, where we used six Kreiss Thames empire influenced chairs, upholstered in champagne dupioni silk. (Yes, we do drink a lot of wine in here too). The chandelier and sconces are "Allegretto" by Fine Arts Lighting of Miami.  We're most proud that most of the furnishings in our showroom are made in the USA.  Wallcovering is Mica by Phillip Jeffries, available through Interiors By Design West, Naples.  I hope you've enjoyed this post.  Stay tuned for more!  DF *****