Rhapsody in blue

Southern Living, Sep 1998 by Nesmith, Lynn

The colors, fabrics, and furnishings of this master bedroom are pleasant enough to the eye, but something else makes the space so endearing. The delight springs from the memories and joy the room's sentimental touches evoke. The bedroom belongs to Zelma Redding, widow of singer Otis Redding, and the motif is appropriately musical. Zelma still lives in the Round Oak, Georgia, home she and Otis purchased shortly before he died in an airplane crash in 1967.

"Over the years, I've had lots of projects around the house," says Zelma. "It seemed like a good time to freshen up my bedroom." Zelma turned to interior designer Gwen Moore Wilson for ideas. It didn't take long for Gwen to find inspiration-a beautiful blue fabric enlivened with flowers bundled up and tied in pages of sheet music. "I loved the colors, the patterns, the theme of the fabric," says Zelma. "It was just the look I wanted-soft, romantic, and cheerful." It was also the perfect way to include a subtle tribute to her husband's memory.

To give prominence to the fabric, Gwen designed a handsome window treatment with a gently curving valance and floor-length, operable draperies. Tied trim in a cheerful red plaid provides a colorful accent.

Gwen balanced the exuberant fabric with an elegant white linen coverlet on the bed. A tailored border adds a refined touch. The red plaid is repeated on the gathered dust ruffle, set off with yellow-and-blue trim.

Three hand-tinted botanical prints positioned above the bed complement the mix of fabrics. Matching swing-arm lamps on either side of the bed offer a practical and functional alternative to table lamps.

Nostalgic mementos further personalize the space. A favorite photograph of Otis and their son rests on a bedside table. A hand-painted pillow occupies a prominent spot on an upholstered settee. Personalized with the words of her late husband's classic song "Dock of the Bay," it's the crowning touch to this very special room. Lynn Nesmith

Page 122: Interior design by Gwen Moore Wilson, (912) 477-7803. Floral/sheet music fabric from Brunschwig & Fits (M), red plaid fabric from Scalamandre Inc. (M), trim on hand-painted pillow and drapes from Scalamandre. Watercolor above bench by Sterling Everett; hand-painted pillow by Carol Poe.