Celebrated interior designer and author James Farmer is next up in our Creative Chat series. James was one of our Holiday Tastemakers in 2017 and we recently featured his sister’s wedding, held in James’ romantic garden, in a Real Weddings post. Be sure to hop over to his Instagram feed to scroll through his latest work – you will not want to miss his classic-with-a-twist aesthetic genius. James is also known for his incredibly green thumb, which based off of our Q&A with him, seems to be holding steady, because his garden is breathtaking! We hope you enjoy hearing from James about what he has been up to the last few months.
What is currently inspiring you?
My garden (pictured below)! Spring is eternally forgiving and inspiring for me. Love seeing how nature boldly combines colors and textures and it’s effortless and exuberayting. I’m also inspired by the light this time of year – becoming more golden and warm with each day.
What is one positive to being at home for you during this time?
To be completely honest, I have loved every minute at home. I am a nester, a homebody at heart. Creating places to call home just happens to be my day job too! So I feel replenished being home, and hope that same sense of being content, happy and welcomed is what I may continue to create for clients.
How are you practicing:
– Creativity? Gardening and flower arranging from the garden too. Work keeps my mind steadied but then the creative bursts come in planting pots, arranging blossoms or sketching new dreams for the garden.
– Kindness (towards yourself and others)? I’m checking in with family and friends. I feel I’ve talked on the phone more lately than usual – and it’s been great to reconnect. Being a bit more intentional can be wonderfully thoughtful and kind.
– Discipline (your work, your health, your routines)? The first week into this time, I kept my bedtime and my wake up time, but those boundaries were quickly erased, LOL! However, though I’m not exercising with my trainer, he emails me each morning the exercises to be done. That accountability is so healthy and keeps a disciplined mentality in check. Also, I live by the one minute rule… If it takes less than a minute, do it! Those little things make the biggest difference and that is a discipline wonderful to practice.
Name one item in your home that is bringing you joy or that has new meaning in this time?
I know this sounds silly, but my room and guest bedroom I recently refreshed just before everything started. I had some new pillows and a window treatments made in there and also for my bedroom… Things that I had meant to do and never got around to them. So having those hung and now the time to enjoy them has been so refreshing. Cobbler’s kids never have shoes, and the designer’s room hadn’t any window dressing – I’ve loved them going to bed and waking up to them too! And excited to have company one day again to enjoy the guest room re-fluff! (We have included some of James’ beautiful bedroom designs below!).
We’re seeing a surge in physical correspondence as there is always something special about receiving a hand-written note and people now have more time. If you were to send a physical note to some of your Instagram friends, who would they be?
I have an ongoing text thread with The Frances Flair and Marigold Designs … if we actually wrote the fun things we say and text, it would be a hilarious comedy! Maybe Nancy Meyers could write it! Love to write to her!
Two pals from Auburn – Darby Stickler and Erika Powell – we have an ongoing text and Instagram message thread that is a hoot! I would be so tickled to read a letter of one of our conversations!
If I could be pen pals with Princess Eugenie, I would be over the moon! I’m so impressed by her grace and youthful position within the Royal Family. I feel as if we’d be friends, and I would like to encourage her to continue her role and pace in the RF.
What are three of your favorite items or patterns currently on Dixie’s website?
I’m partial to my sister’s wedding suite “Georgia” It is perfect and delightful! Elegant and causal yet chic, fresh and classic.
The navy Gentlemen’s Notecards with the monogram or name across the top are handsome for gents.
Also, I love a weekly jot, list and memo. Those are all so fun to me – an organized note pad and to do list! The Greek Key and Spring Palette designs are fun!
