Love that red

Southern Living, Oct 2003 by Sandner, Julie Feagin

See how accents of vibrant color add spice to this Seaside, Florida, living room during the cooler months.

Everyone has a favorite color. Designers often say if you love a particular hue, surround yourself with it. Mary Moore Hoover abides by that rule. If she doesn't have on red lipstick, she has a red cardigan wrapped around her shoulders. So it just seems appropriate that she brings that same color into her home. With help from designer Brad Speight, Mary Moore found ways to cozy up her coastal home for the winter months using warm reds and a little fabric.

Multifunctional Needs

Mary Moore's home in Seaside, Florida, sees many guests. "When you live here, almost everything has to be multifunctional," she says. A palette of black, white, and red is woven throughout her home. Small chairs and ottomans can easily be moved from room to room when additional seating is needed.

Changing With the Seasons

Slipcovers give the space versatility. "This room looks completely different in the summer months, when the deep red covers are replaced with ones in lighter shades," Mary Moore adds. The creamy white sofa, which is also slipcovered, remains the same throughout the year; she uses pillows to change the look of this transitional piece. The covers can be washed to keep the furniture looking its best.

New Piece, Old Wood

Accents of black are also found in the room, including the large armoire that serves as a focal point. Artisan James Foley refinished the storage unit, which houses the television and stereo. It's crafted from old pieces of wood and given a distressed black finish. Antique picnic baskets and a sailboat replica add a personal touch to the armoire. The baskets are family pieces, and the sailboat was a favorite wedding gift.

Center of Attention

An interesting coffee table, made from an old cypress tree trunk, anchors the center of the room. Treated and finished by James, the table base is topped with a piece of specially cut glass. Accessories on the table also vary with the season. During the winter months the table holds a collection of pewter and silver vases and platters, but in the summer Mary Moore replaces those with glass pieces and baskets of flowers from the garden.

By changing just a few elements, you can give a room in your own home a similar seasonal touch.

JULIE FEAGIN SANDNER