Be inspired by classic Southern decor lovingly refreshed in style and comfort by famed interior designer James Farmer.
Traditional style stands the test of time. That is the mantra for James Farmer’s aesthetic. Classic tastes melded with fresh approaches for how we live and love in homes. In these ten homes across the Atlantic side of the country, high style and relaxed comfort are displayed hand in hand. Discover antiques mixed with new upholstery, collections and art displayed against pattern and textured wall coverings, and layers of jute, sisal, and wood grounding the floors while doses of intentional color keep the rooms personable.
From a grand Connecticut country home to a mountain retreat in Cashiers, NC, or a columned antebellum Alabama home, Farmer’s style travels the country to set the tone for the lives of his clients. Homes in the city, the mountains, the country, and coastal locales are all reflected in this journey while being rooted in Southern design.
“Southern hospitality is famous for a reason, and these charming homes exemplify that welcoming vibe with big porches, comfy furniture and lovingly displayed heirlooms. Arriving Home: A Gracious Southern Welcome includes 10 projects by Georgia designer and author James T. Farmer III, which illustrate how this decor style plays out not just in a columned Alabama mansion, but a farmhouse or mountain retreat, among other projects.”
“Through his previous eight books, the young Southern designer, Farmer (A Place To Call Home), has become a lifestyle expert joining the ranks of P. Allen Smith and Martha Stewart. This book showcases several of the homes he’s decorated in the eastern half of the U.S., each in its own lavishly illustrated chapter. There are introductory remarks for each chapter and photo captions throughout, but this is not a step-by-step tutorial on decorating. Rather, readers gather inspiration from the photos that marvelously capture the welcoming, comforting feeling of home Farmer’s style evokes. With a healthy respect for tradition and an understanding of modern lifestyles, he confidently mixes vintage family pieces with new items. He unapologetically layers patterns and textures in rooms while throwing in generous kicks of color, too. The look is simultaneously vaguely familiar and fresh. Though reminiscent of English country style and rooted in his Southern upbringing, Farmer’s ideas can be used anywhere (though his reliance on layering and patterns may not appeal to minimalists). VERDICT As the economy tightens, readers will be looking for ideas to blend old and new items into a cohesive look for their homes. This book demonstrates it is both possible and stylish. Recommended.”
“… I’m still currently working through this book – and will do so over and over again and have already come up with ideas on how I want to prune my front landscape!”
“The glossy images are imbued with a comfortable sensibility and rich mahogany tones, balancing traditional design elements with fresh colors and updated moldings.”
