Caroline and Liz welcome back Southern GA-based interior designer and eight‑time author James Farmer to discuss his new book Home Again: A Return to Gracious Interiors. James explains the personal inspirations behind his lifelong oeuvre, how he reworked rooms at his Farmdale home, and his approach to layering tradition, comfort, and seasonality.
From a lofty Auburn condo to a Nantucket‑tinged Vineyard retreat and a playful Oxford game‑day house, he shows how geometry, scale, heirlooms, and unexpected color (yes—coral) make spaces feel lived‑in and welcoming. The episode closes with a listener dilemma about choosing paint for a new build and James’s practical advice on finish schedules and decision sequencing.
What You’ll Hear on This Episode:
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
01:00 James Farmer — The Story Behind the Books
05:00 Writing from the Heart — Home vs. House
09:00 Farmdale: swapping dining & living for better function
12:30 Geometry and furniture scale — cozy for 2, comfy for 20
18:00 Decorative edits, heirlooms, and the peach‑toned screen
23:00 Auburn condo: making a new shell feel like an old home
28:30 Oxford game‑day house and playful bunk rooms
32:30 Finding a jumping‑off point when clients give no direction
36:00 Secondary spaces as labs for bold design
40:00 Designing rooms for the seasons — coffee table ideas
47:00 Listener dilemma: choosing paint colors for a new build
57:00 Final thoughts, events, and where to find more from James
Also Mentioned:
Home Again: A Return to Gracious Interiors | Order Your Copy
James Farmer on Instagram: @jamestfarmer & @jamesfarmerinc
Watch James’s Farmdale house tour on Ballard Designs’ YouTube channel (dropping this week
Shop Ballard Designs | Website
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Happy Decorating!
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