WELCOME BACK ! Checking in

Seen at a boutique in Highlands, NC this summer

Yes !, Summer is coming to an end...(first day of Fall is the 22nd) and so, welcome back to DFS all my friends and followers!  One of the high points of my summer was while visiting my family, we all made a sojourn up to Cashiers and Highlands...two charming towns in the remote and hard to reach mountains of southwest North Carolina...oh and finally I'm on Instagram... as @farrisdean...!

One of the many beautiful natural falls near Highlands

Mere words can't describe the beauty and peace of the lovely countryside, some of which is 4,600 feet above sea level...and we had lunch in Highlands at The Ugly Dog Public House, and dessert at Cornucopia in Cashiers...after visiting old friends Hal Ainsworth and Winton Noah at Aerie Manor their elegant home which has been featured in Veranda...

View from Aerie Manor, Cashiers, NC

It was a cloudy day so we couldn't see all four states from the terrace, but on a clear day you can see forever...

Foyer shot I took, Aerie Manor

One of many bars set up in the house, Aerie Manor

Dining Room, Aerie Manor

We had such fun, it was all part of celebrating my dear Dad's (Poppy) 83rd year of living his extraordinary life.  Stay tuned for more later!  (c) DF *****

Aerie Manor Dining Room, via Sotheby's

SUMMER, taking off

Summer dahlias

Taking the summer off...enjoy, and see you in September!

SUMMER, re-arrangement!

DFID (c) 2016

In yet another incarnation of my personal living space, I wanted to switch out some furniture and accessories to give a more "Summer" look...

DFID (c) 2016

I simply switched the placement of the chesterfield sofa with the white matelassé' covered settee....then I decided to center the bust in the window, between the two topiary trees...as you can see I'm still using things I've had for years now.  The chesterfield now functions as a chaise, which I like for watching television or reading, and creates an asymmetric look...and in a nod to Sister Parish, I used my grandmother's quilt as a throw.

DFID (c) 2016

Looking west, towards the small dining area, still pretty much the same as it was...

DFID (c) 2016

All pictures were taken with my phone.  In this shot, to the left of the floor lamp, you can see a collage I made way back in 1978 !   DF *****

My concept sketch DFID (c) 2016



Credits: Walls - Benjamin Moore, mirror- Wisteria.com, settee- Jessica Charles,  jute rug- Feizy.  Garden seat- Naples Lamp Shop, parsons table- Albert Hadley.  Chandelier- Wilshire Lighting.