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Baton Rouge Showhouse: Dining Room

Designed by James Farmer for the Baton Rouge Showhouse | Floral design by Stephen Sonnier of Dunn and Sonnier: Antiques, Florals, and Gifts

Tour James Farmer’s dining room and learn more about his inspiration and sources for this beautiful space.  If you enjoy this feature, subscribe to FLOWER magazine for more inspiring homes, gardens, lifestyle content, and of course, florals!

“I’m a fortysomething, 6´4˝, 200-pound man, and I love ruffles and jabots. Give me a swag or chintz all day long.”

—James Farmer on his point of view

DINING ROOM

Upholstered chairs around a dining table.

Photo by Paul Costello | FLOWER Magazine

ROOM WITH A VIEW

“The large window looking onto the garden invited an indoor/outdoor moment. I chose a metal console by McKinnon and Harris that was crisp and bright to balance the browns and patina of the antiques.”

DESIGN INSPIRATION

“My absolute favorite fabric, ‘Tree of Life’ by Lee Jofa, is now a wallpaper as well. Name a color, and it’s in there. You can start pulling them out and be off to the races.”

Wooden china cabinet filled with red and white serveware.

Photo by Paul Costello | FLOWER Magazine

CHINA SYNDROME

James set the table with Spode’s “Indian Tree” from Replacements, Ltd., and accessorized with platters on the walls. “I love how the coral and umber tones pop against the Prussian blue of the antique china cabinet.”

Floral paintings hung up on floral wallpaper using a ribbon.

Photo by Paul Costello | FLOWER Magazine

BOW BEAUTIFUL

The art bows are a tribute to one of James’s decorating icons, Mario Buatta. “Creating that detail was like sprinkling salt on a chocolate chip cookie.”

A table is set with coral roses and red and white china.

Photo by Paul Costello | FLOWER Magazine

A Visual Feast

“My grandmother always said we eat with our eyes first, and before the first bite, there should be a visual feast.”

An upholstered chair has a floral pattern and buttons on the back.

Photo by Paul Costello | FLOWER Magazine

HAVE A SEAT

James incorporated old-school details such as buttons, reverse pleats, and piping on the dining room chairs. “They have a slipcovered look, yet they’re tailored and buttoned up.”

FLORAL SPOTLIGHT

Stephen Sonnier of  Dunn and Sonnier: Antiques, Florals, and Gifts orchestrated a symphony of peach roses, coral tulips, amber pon pon ranunculus, snowball hydrangeas, lilacs, sea holly, and echinacea cone flowers. The mix of blues, reds, and yellows mirror the floral wallpaper, and the abundance of flowers matches the maximalist design of the dining room.

See more from  Dunn and Sonnier: Antiques, Florals, and Gifts on their website and on Instagram.  And don’t miss A Celebratory Birthday Arrangement, a how-to from Stephen.

Cream Tulips on top of a green lattice table.

SOURCES

Who Did It & Where To Get It

ACCESSORIES

A Place To Call Home

ART AND ANTIQUES

Ann Connelly Fine Art
Aubergine Antiques
Inessa Stewart Antiques
Studio De Chen

FABRICS AND TRIMS

Brunschwig & Fils
Kravet
Lee Jofa

FLOOR COVERINGS

Fibreworks

FURNITURE

McKinnon and Harris

HARDWARE

Kravet

LIGHTING

Currey & Company
Lux Lampshades
A Place to Call Home

PAINT

Farrow & Ball

TABLETOP

Replacements, Ltd.

WALLCOVERINGS

Lee Jofa

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Brunschwig & Fils
Lee Jofa

By Karen Carroll

Styling by Amanda Smith Fowler

Photography by Paul Costello

Don’t miss our Baton Rouge Showhouse video tour and browse more room-by-room guides.

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