If you've read any of the Idea House features that appeared in our August 1992 through August 1998 issues, you've enjoyed the design work of Mary McWilliams, our former Director of Interior Design. Mary Mac, as we like to call her, has put down her pen and is now working as a designer with Stephen Fuller, Inc., in Atlanta. When we recently visited her own home and found it filled with beautiful decorative effects, we asked her to tell us how she pulls it all together.

Q: What prompted you to choose this particular house?
A: Older cottage-style homes like this one afford so much age and character. After looking at many different houses, I entered this one and mentally started placing furniture.

Q: What makes this house feel like home?
A: When you walk into my home, you'll find a tapestry of all my favorite experiences, journeys, and the show homes that I've worked on for Southern Living. I tried to acquire one thing from each project--from rugs, pillows, and artwork down to the accessories and little things.

Q: When you decorate one of your own rooms, what comes first?
A: I am most passionate about color, especially organic colors that I love being around and enjoy wearing. My favorite color is red, and so every room has a touch of red. These colors aren't too strong. They look like they've been doused with half-and-half to age and add character to the spaces.