Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • Home & Garden
  • Style & Culture
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021

      The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Read More Next
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More Next
    • The Right Way to Heat a Pre-Cooked Ham

      It's so easy, trust us. Read More Next
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food

    Lost Cakes of the South

    These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback
    • All Food
    • All Recipes
    • Holidays & Occasions
    • Quick Fix Suppers
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Casseroles
    • Healthy Recipes
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining

    70 Wedding Vow Examples That Will Melt Your Heart

    Fight writer's block and find ways to express your love with these romantic, funny, and short wedding vow examples.
    • Christmas
    • Entertaining
    • Thanksgiving
    • Southern Weddings
    • Easter
    • Kentucky Derby
    • Valentine's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Mother's Day
  • Home & Garden

    Home & Garden

    See All Home & Garden

    7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020

    ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Before & After
    • Inspired Communities
    • Curb Appeal
    • House Plans & Builders
    • The Grumpy Gardener
    • Plant Names A-Z
  • Style & Culture

    Style & Culture

    See All Style & Culture

    50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime

    Curl up with a classic!
    • Southern Culture
    • Hair
    • Travel
    • Beauty
    • Pets
    • Southern Fashion
    • Healthy Living
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Home
  3. Home Decor Ideas
  4. Calm, Classic Southern Home

Calm, Classic Southern Home

By Alyse Harral Stevens
April 05, 2011
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman
With the colors, antiques, and art she loves most, Mia James has planned her family’s Baton Rouge home with one classic Southern quality in mind: quiet strength
Start Slideshow

1 of 11

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Classic Southern Design

Credit: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman

When Jeff and Mia James started renovations on their newly purchased home in an older tree-lined neighborhood of Baton Rouge, the last thing they expected was a call from a neighbor telling them their house was falling down. But that is just what happened. “It changed everything—budget, design, everything,” Mia says. “I had never built a new house and I was terrified to do it, but we were so attached to this neighborhood.”

Ten-foot-tall plantation shutters give a historic look to this newly built home.

1 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 11

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

West Indies Inspiration

Credit: Photo: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman

Mia found style inspiration from a historic home on the Mandeville lakefront and arranged cut pieces of paper to show residential designer Billie Brian her desired room layout. Once the new West Indies-style home was finished, the decorating was easy—she’d been collecting her treasured furnishings for decades. Mia has a style that’s more about meaning and tranquility than any period of furniture or medium of art.

The Jameses’ home has more than 2,000 square feet of outdoor rooms, including an inviting front porch.

Source Guide
Shutters and shutter hardware: custom color by Southern Plantation Shutters; 225/292-2278.

2 of 11

3 of 11

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Buy Only What You Love

Credit: Photo: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman

Mia’s been collecting the pieces in her home for almost 25 years, following her simple adage of buying something only if she is irresistibly drawn to it. “There is nothing in this house that I’m not in love with,” says Mia. She never tries to just fill a space and resists any urge to rush but waits until something is a perfect fit. Inversely, Mia will buy a wonderful item even if she’s not sure where it will go. “I say, if your budget will allow and you love it, then you will always find the right space for it in your house,” she advises.

  • Source Guide
  • Custom trumeau mirror: Jon McArthur; 225/288-2105.
  • Lamps: For a similar look, try the Bruges Table Lamp by Aidan Gray.
  • Chairs: For a similar look, try the Louis XVI Dining Chair or George III Rattan Chair by Wisteria.
  • Chandelier: For a similar look, try the Paris Flea Market Crystal Basket Chandelier from Shades of Light.

3 of 11

Advertisement

4 of 11

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Use a Signature Color Palette

Credit: Photo: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman

Mia recommends finding the few colors that speak to your soul and sticking with them. A small landscape painting by her sister-in-law, Jeanne James, initially inspired her home’s soft palette. Mia loved the natural colors and was often drawn to these same shades of blue-green. “Aqua, turquoise, sky, and cerulean blues have just always spoken to me,” she says. By primarily using these colors throughout her rooms, she maintains a sense of uniformity and flow in the home. Mia creates interest with subtle variations of the blue hues, such as the brighter sea blue on the sunroom ceiling and the grayish sky blue on the living room chairs.

Source Guide
All wall paint (unless otherwise noted):
Paradise Beach (911) by Benjamin Moore.
Lamp: Balustrade Lamp by Niermann Weeks.

4 of 11

5 of 11

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Make Antiques the Focal Points

Credit: Photo: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman

Another way Mia simplifies each room is by limiting the number and size of dominant pieces of furniture. “When I think about my house, I realize that there is one very old piece in every room,” says Mia, “and it is usually the largest piece of furniture, such as the French walnut buffet I use in the foyer.” She says to limit yourself to one or two antiques and make them grand in scale because if your furniture has to fight for space or attention, it loses much of its impact. The grace in one beautifully carved antique chest will carry an entire room.

  • Source Guide
    Trumeau mirror:
    by Pruitt-Littleton.
  • Easel landscape:Jeanne James; 225/937-9219.
  • Floor painting: Keith Guy, Inc.; 504/277-4956.

5 of 11

6 of 11

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Choose Art With Your Heart

Credit: Photo: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman

About 17 years ago, Mia was surprised with a bonus check and immediately wrote a wish list of her favorite artists. Then she started systematically buying pieces from every artist on the list. She made a new purchase each time she saved a little extra money. “The art I have doesn’t necessarily go or match with my house,” Mia says. “It works because I love it.” She also believes that framing makes the biggest impact and even a $10 painting can look totally amazing and original with the right frame.

  • Source Guide
    Bird paintings:
    Woodland Respite I and Woodland Respite II by Jennifer Goldberger through The Garden Gates; 504/833-6699.
  • Bedding: Pearl Embroidered Duvet Cover and Sham by Pottery Barn.
  • Headboard:Leonel’s Fine Upholstery and Furniture; 504/469-0889 and James Snowden, Jr., Juniors Furniture Service LLC, Zachary, LA; 225/654-3949.
  • Headboard fabric: Ozborne Powder Blue by Premier Prints through Forsyth Fabrics.

6 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 11

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Pick Furniture That Will Work in Multiple Spaces

Credit: Photo: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman

Everything the Jameses own can work in most any room in their house. “If you look at a piece of furniture and it screams only living room to you, skip it,” Mia urges. Her own living room is the perfect example. Everything in the space—the sofa, two club chairs, and two armchairs—has lived and functioned in other areas of the home. Mia re-covered them for their current location, but her fabric choices allow her to pull them into other rooms if needed. The ability to rotate furnishings is part of the home’s peaceful, tranquil feeling. “I think continuity is really an essential part of everything I do,” Mia says.

  • Source Guide
    Custom trumeau mirror:
    Jon McArthur; 225/288-2105.
  • Armchairs: Hanna chair in Chalk finish with raffia by Oly Studio.
  • Chandelier: Monique Chandelier by Julie Neill Designs; 504/899-4201.

7 of 11

8 of 11

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Master Bedroom

Credit: Photo: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman

A pair of French doors in the master bedroom opens into the back garden.

Source Guide
Wall paint:
Linen White (912) by Benjamin Moore.
Linens: King French cases in White Dakota with plain edge, no flange, 12-inch Addison Embroidery Monogram in Gerrie Blue thread by Leontine Linens; 504/899-7833.

8 of 11

9 of 11

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Outdoor Living Room

Credit: Photo: Melanie Acevedo

A Sunbrella-covered sectional and ottoman, plus a nearby dining table that seats eight, make this covered porch ideal for outdoor entertaining.

Steal this Idea: A high coffee table allows a seating area to pinch-hit for dining

Source Guide
Pillows:
made with Sunbrella Fabric by DyAnne Cavell and Carol Vorhoff; 225/664-7106.
Candelabra: Doble Paloma Candelabra by Jan Barboglio, available through thepicketfence.com.

9 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 11

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Take It from Mia

Credit: Photo: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman

Handcrafted art adds a personal touch to the Jameses’ home. Here are a few of Mia’s favorite Southern artists.

  • Lisa diStefano
  • Deborah Luke
  • Jamie Grace Meeks
  • Tony Mose
  • Allison Wickey
  • Donna West

10 of 11

11 of 11

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Round Top Road Trip

Credit: Photo: Melanie Acevedo, Styling: Olga Naiman

Look for antique treasures of your own at one of Texas’s most famous flea markets.

Many of Mia’s most treasured furnishings, such as the antler chandelier in the kitchen and the china cabinet in the dining room, were purchased during shopping trips with her girlfriends to the antiques fairs around Round Top, Texas. Spread out over the course of two weeks, multiple events cover fields and fill barns with booths overflowing with the best antiques and flea market finds. The next fair is scheduled for around September 18 through October 1. For more information visit roundtop.org, roundtoptexasantiques.com, and roundtop-marburger.com.

Steal this Idea: Camouflage a blah kitchen island with a cypress table topped with walnut limestone.

11 of 11

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Alyse Harral Stevens

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 11 Classic Southern Design
2 of 11 West Indies Inspiration
3 of 11 Buy Only What You Love
4 of 11 Use a Signature Color Palette
5 of 11 Make Antiques the Focal Points
6 of 11 Choose Art With Your Heart
7 of 11 Pick Furniture That Will Work in Multiple Spaces
8 of 11 Master Bedroom
9 of 11 Outdoor Living Room
10 of 11 Take It from Mia
11 of 11 Round Top Road Trip

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Southern Living

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Southern Living
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

View image

Calm, Classic Southern Home
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.