Friends by Design

Sometimes, the relationship between interior designer and client spans many years, several homes and states, and numerous environments and styles. Such is the story of Norris Furniture & Interior's designer Dean Farris, Allied Member A.S.I.D., and a very special client.

It all began as Farris exited the home of a client, arms loaded with fabrics and accessories. He heard a woman across the street calling, “You! Stop! Come here!” The “here” she referred to was a stunning 7,000 square foot updated Mizner-style Mediterranean home.

The unusual meeting was the start of a beautiful friendship between Farris and the lady of the house. This “designing friendship” has weathered more than six years, state-to-state travel to design three additional family homes, and opportunities ranging from distinctly different his-and-her spaces to central living areas that needed to be elegant, yet comfortable enough to accommodate visits from friends and the couple’s six adult children and three grandchildren.

While eclectic in style, a central theme reflecting the family’s passion for world travel, exotic locales and the natural world carries throughout the home. The transition from expansive spaces for family and social gatherings to smaller scale, personal retreats is taken to an all-new level. 4 Large, visually dramatic rooms are balanced by intimate alcoves, garden courtyard views, and cozy guest rooms. “There definitely are clear his-and-her areas, styles and colors,” notes Farris.

His area is a 2,700 square foot wing added by Paladino Custom Homes to accommodate home office, den, hunting trophy gallery and automobile museum. Her area includes the master suite sitting area, kitchen and music room with grand piano.

An inviting side vestibule lies just off of the stately entryway. It is appointed with selections hinting at both his-and-her personalities and tastes, and sets the tone for what lies beyond. A tumbled marble floor medallion, inspired by Italian marble work, encompasses the home’s palette of lettuce greens, sunny yellows, taupes, Chinese reds and salmons.

In the vestibule, an imported Louis XV style mantel clock graces the marble-topped Henredon commode. Chippendale-style chairs are covered in red satin fabric with a dragonfly pattern, and tropical-style candlestick lamps (with the pineapple symbol of welcome) cast a soft golden glow. Selections from his wildlife collection - paintings of a lion and jaguar and African Impalas - preside over the vignette.

To the left of the vestibule is a comfortable master suite. “The master suite sitting area truly is the area of the lady of the house,” notes Farris. “She wanted a soft, relaxing space for reading and doing correspondence. I selected sunny yellow fabrics for the chairs and draperies to reflect her sunny disposition.”

An Italian Rococo desk in the sitting area is topped by a whimsical bronze, depicting a cowboy and flirtatious dance hall girl, acquired during the couple’s Colorado travels. Matching Hickory “Charles of London” rolled armchairs and ottomans are covered in sunny yellow damask. Masland carpet in soft yellow and taupe with a faux unis pattern, and elegant subtly patterned draperies complete this lovely space. All is watched over by a portrait of the beloved family Lhasa Apso, “Dolly Lama”, described by all as the Queen of the Manor.

The gentleman’s retreat is to the right of the vestibule. “I was given carte blanche here,” says Farris. “It was great to be able to work on this space. My goal was to reflect the homeowner’s passion for adventure and wildlife, while designing for comfort, function, maximum visual impact and relationship to adjoining spaces.” Upon entering this space, it is clear that you, indeed, have entered the realm of the man of the house - a retreat designed for admiring collections built over a lifetime, enjoying fine cigars, and father-son chess games.

A stone floor of imported honed travertine, in random match pattern, is used throughout. A richly appointed home office includes built-in oak bookcases and an oversized desk that faces his sitting area, which is furnished with heavy recliners in chocolate leather. A Savonnerie Empire-style area rug in taupe, tan and black warms the stone floor and anchors the room. A striking view through a glass wall reveals an automobile museum below, where rotating selections from a 22-car collection of Morgans, Bentleys, Jaguars and other classics are displayed.

The view up from the office is to a 625-square-foot den / game room / gallery. A stone staircase leading to the second level features steps with decorative inlays depicting animals in the wild. Upon reaching the top step, one gets the impression of having entered an exclusive private hunting lodge. A soaring, 25-foot vaulted tray ceiling creates visual drama, which extends to a huge gallery wall, where hunting trophies are displayed. White walls and oak provide a crisp canvas and framework for exhibits. A decorative iron railing allows uninterrupted views of lower and upper levels.

Massive, hand-carved lions flank a custom wooden fireplace mantel. A flat-screen television is positioned on 4 the wall over the mantle. Bold zebra-patterned sofa pillows, tapestry chair coverings, and red accents were brought in by Farris to add texture and color. A custom-built gun case displays another impressive collection, and built-in bookcases hold a wide range of titles and treasures from around the world.

Farris selected two large Oriental carpets from the Naja Oriental Rugs Gallery at Norris to anchor the amber-toned Whittemore-Sherrill leather sofa and chocolate cocktail table. Ralph Lauren brass lamps and armchairs by Drexel complete the seating area.

Eight full-length Palladian windows add natural light and are enhanced by custom white gauze draperies woven in Spain by Boussac of France. Each window is centered with a Louis XVI-style Hickory side chair. Farris placed a drafting table from Theodore and Alexander in this room so that the homeowner could take full advantage of the natural light when working on plans.

Other rooms are designed for relaxing while spending time with family and friends. High-ceilinged gathering and entertainment areas have a light, airy feeling, appropriate to the Naples environment, with furnishings and accents in yellows, greens, varying shades of taupe and brown and light wood tones.

The spacious kitchen opens directly to the family room. An arched window, over a five-burner Dacor cooktop with potfiller, looks onto a small garden courtyard. Hand-painted palm trees, by DeDe Sweet of Sweet Art, add a charming accent over the window as they grace the chocolate glazed, raised-panel cabinetry. Granite countertops with double 45-degree edging are by Giallo Fiorito, and backsplashes are tumbled marble.

Both family room and living room open to a wrap-around terrace and pool area that easily accommodates 50-60 guests. The living room takes on a more formal character, but comfort remains the guide. Norris sofas, chairs and an ottoman by Henredon are in oyster, taupe and tan. Salmon pillows, custom-made by Brunschwig & Fils, pick up touches of salmon in the transitional area carpet and botanical wall hangings. Schumacher arrowroot wallcovering in smoky chocolate defines the architecture and sets off the furnishings.

For the family room, Norris furnishings by Lexington in soft yellow and taupe and light wood tones were selected to bring a fresh, seaside living ambiance to the room. Green-fringed botanical throw pillows reflect the pattern in the scalloped draperies. A black lacquered Asian cocktail table centers the room, and a round custom designed area carpet brings in a warm salmon tone. Comfort and durability are important here, as this is a popular family gathering area. Built-in shelves display family photos and frame an archway leading to guest rooms.

The popular favorite of the home’s three guestrooms is the cozy upstairs “Islamorada” guest suite with sitting area, morning kitchen, full bath and large closet. This enchanting room follows the home’s rooflines, giving it an “under the eaves” feeling. Houseguests climb a stairway that conveys the feeling of having their own secret passageway. Stairway walls are set off by Schumacher textured wallcovering in a cream color and botanical prints in black antique frames.

In this room, Farris and his client selected Lexington furnishings with bold floral patterned fabrics in salmon, yellow and taupe. Walls are a cheerful shade of yellow, and honey-colored drapes follow the ceiling lines for drama over the cast iron guest bed.

“This is a home for family and friends,” notes Farris. "I am honored to be considered one of those friends. I can’t wait to see what our next creative adventure will be.”

That serendipitous meeting so many years ago has indeed led to a true designing friendship.

Courtesy of Norris Furniture & Interiors

5015 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL 34103
239 649-5151

14181 South Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL 33912
239 433-3633

www.norrisfurniture.com

Written by Paula Robertson
Photography by Doug Thompson Photography, Inc.