Baton Rouge Showhouse: Dining Room

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

More about James Farmer

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.