Southern Maximalism Meets Traditional Style in This Georgia Cottage

We’re bringing you to Perry, Georgia, where you’ll meet James Farmer, an interior designer and author celebrated for his unapologetically traditional Southern style. Known for his love of pattern play and gracious living, James’s work reflects a timeless elegance shaped by the influence of his mother and grandmother.

James welcomes us into Farmdale, the charming cottage he built about ten years ago in his hometown. Inspired by both the Lowcountry and the North Carolina mountains, the home is surrounded by lush gardens with clipped hedges and flowering borders. Inside, the interiors are equally traditional—warm, layered, and distinctly Southern, with every room telling a story of comfort and charm.

Throughout his career, James has designed homes across the country and published numerous books on gracious living. His latest, Home Again: A Return to Gracious Interiors, highlights homes he and his team have designed across the South and beyond, showcasing the enduring beauty of traditional style.