Talk Shop: James Farmer // James Farmer, Inc.
Photo by M. Farmer Photography
ABOUT JAMES
James Farmer is a Southern author, interior designer, and speaker known for his ability to create beautifully familiar and warm, welcoming homes. Born and raised in Georgia, James proudly has built his business in his hometown of Perry, GA.
To James, a home engages all of the senses - the pleasantries of colors and materials, the feel of the doorknob warmed by the sun, the smell of fresh laundry, the sound of the closing door, and the taste of supper on the table. Through his design firm, James works with clients to truly create a home. We are all huge fans of his work here at Fenimore Lane, so we could not be more excited to have him as part of our Talk Shop series this week!
James is the author of the best-selling books A Time to Plant; Sip & Savor; Porch Living; Wreaths For All Seasons; A Time To Cook; Dinner on the Grounds; A Time to Celebrate and A Place to Call Home. His most recent publication, Arriving Home, features design projects from the farmlands of Georgia to the rolling countryside of Connecticut. (It is truly gorgeous!)
We sat down with the master of comfort to chat all things design. Take a peek below!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Unapologetically Southern.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
1) Designers/Architects Frank McCall and Edward Vason Jones. 2) Anything traditional and Southern. 3) And of course, any beautiful brunch by any garden club in any small town. They are the masters of gorgeous flowers and timeless food. You can always count on a garden club to be timeless and refreshing!
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
Depending on how far back we want to go...I first started a business called Leaf it to Me when I was about 14 and was limited to a golf cart for transportation. I put flyers in my my neighbors’ mailboxes and planted mums, decorated mantels, put out pumpkins...anything they needed, they could leaf it to me!
I went on to study art history and landscape design at Auburn University, so during college and in my twenties, I helped friends, family, and clients with weddings, flowers, and other events. As I moved towards interior design, my first clients were all relatives, so maybe they felt like they had to use me! Word of mouth proved to be the best advertisement as I began to grow my business. Things have evolved over the last several years into our full-service interior design firm where I have the privilege to turn clients’ houses into homes. I am very grateful to work with an amazing team - work truly is something I look forward to because of them. From interior design projects to photoshoots and books, I often say, “what if I had a real job??” :)
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
Architect Frank McCall has been the biggest influence for m e- As small town designer, he’s someone that exemplifies what I do today. Though not a mentor perse, I strive to always build designs around my roots in the ways he did.
What does your home say about you:
I hope that it shows the authenticity of my design approach. I do like things to be pretty but they have to be comfortable and functional. There’s a reverse order to that - just because it’s comfortable and functional doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty.
Where do you find inspiration:
Nature. The color, texture and juxtaposition of the natural elements and how they complement one another is my ultimate inspiration. Also, many of the aesthetics we strive to achieve with interiors can also be mimicked at an event or gathering. Entertaining and interior design share commonalities as the details are what make them personal and special. My grandmother instilled in me that we eat first with our eyes, and that we feed people--body and soul--when they are at our table. I still live by those mantras today.
Who are your style icons:
It’s hard for me to say a specific person. I love the effortless style of people who don’t try but they care. I have a friend who can throw on jeans, a camel sweater and loafers and look like an Italian Vogue model...but if I wore it, I’d look like a disgruntled librarian. The effortlessness shows confidence and that that is true style.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Confidence. My grandmother, Mimi, always said, “The best thing a host can serve is confidence.” And, of course, a great cheese board.
Do you collect anything:
I’m a collector of collections. I love odd silver utensils. A dear friend gave me a sterling pea spoon for Christmas...another gave me a sterling potato chip server one year. I may use these pieces as they were intended or may not, but to have a collection of them is a true joy. Also, you should see my cabinet full of monogrammed napkins…
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
I love @melissarufty, @riverroad59, @halliehenleydesign, and @cookinglight just to name a few!
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Rule to follow: truly live in your home. I love architecture and am a stickler for utilizing rooms as they were intended to be used. Actually use your dining room as a dining room! Also, spell “mantel” correctly. If you look up “mantle” you will not find the architectural feature found above a fireplace.
Rule to break: Break my own rule of using rooms only for what they were intended. Let your rooms be more than what they are. Do Christmas morning in the dining room. Don’t be afraid to let your Thanksgiving overflow into the entry.
What are you working on right now:
A full plate of design projects, photoshoots for my next book, and I’m scheming for my spring and summer gardens. Ordered my caladium bulbs this week!
Wardrobe staples:
My favorite outfit to work in - whether in a client’s home or in the office - I’m afraid has become very casual. I do love jeans, a button down and fun tennis shoes. It’s like soccer dad meets cool architect wannabe.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Schumacher’s Chinoiserie and Lee Jofa’s Tree of Life and Chinese Lantern.
Best interior advice you ever received:
“Use the silver!” -Mimi
Best career advice you ever received:
Stay home...and I have built my business in my hometown of Perry, Georgia. My practice is here, my team is here...if you build it, they will come! I’m very grateful to have the most amazing and talented team right in my backyard.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in chests! They look great all the time in just about any room. Mattresses and sofas as well. Save on: very large oushak rugs. Use a large seagrass and layer a smaller oriental/oushak rug on top.
Your greatest extravagance:
I love homes so much that I have two. I’m much more of a homebody and I love investing in making my home and house in the mountains feel like me. I’m not jetsetting around the world - instead I invest in my roots. Home for me - whether Perry or the mountains - is where I’m happy. In my work, I’m so grateful to turn a client’s house into a home, so doing the same for myself is a true joy.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Any antique market I pass on the side of the road, Scott’s every month in Atlanta. Some men get up early to hunt, I get up early to go to Scotts!
Most prized possession and why:
My dog Sampson. He’s my best friend, my roommate and my therapist. But, really, I’m his possession.
Your interiors motto:
Keep it traditional. Keep it classic. Keep it comfortable.
Your life motto:
John 8:32 - “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Tell the truth, y’all.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Don’t work too hard on being original. Every time I think I’m doing something original, it’s already been done by the Egyptians, the Romans, or my grandmother and I’m just repeating history. But do always make it personal.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Chicken soup from my favorite local Mexican restaurant, Casa Mexico II. I shamelessly eat there at least three nights a week.
Drink: Sweet tea with lime
Film: Steel Magnolias
Hotel: The Hay Adams in Washington, DC.
City: I love Birmingham, Thomasville, Georgia, and Charleston - all three are beautiful Southern towns full of great food, great gardens...and did I mention great food?
Bedding: Monogrammed Matouk bedding...and freshly ironed sheets from Redland Cotton. True confession: I also love Fieldcrest sheets from Target!
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Both! Coffee morning and night - with lots of milk. Large half and half tea from Chick-fil-A during the day!
Playlist: I’m more of an NPR kind of guy.
Weekend Activity: I truly love being home. My work life is very busy and usually involves frequent travel, so tending to my own garden and yard is my best reset. Sometimes you’ve just got to pull your own weeds!
Design Book: My all time favorite books are those on the work of architect Frank McCall. Another I am currently loving is Michael S. Smith’s Designing History.
