Elegant Edge(9)

Jim and Elsie Henderson on their patio.

Their designer, Martha Reeves, doesn't need to sell anyone on her virtues as a decorator--happy clients like the Hendersons are the best PR possible. "Martha is a master of color," enthuses Elsie, who grew close to the designer years ago when their then-young daughters became BFFs. Reeves's tips for working with color:

Don't compromise
For example, Elsie notes that "Martha refused to allow us to compromise on the colors of our bedroom's curtain fabric, even though it meant waiting an extra six to eight months. She could tell that something was 'off,' and she insisted on waiting for another production and shipment from the factory in France."

The curtain fabric was "probably only off a tenth of a degree," adds Elsie, "but Martha was absolutely right. It was worth the wait. It's about getting what you pay for."

Take your time
Paint color looks different in different light. "We spent two months testing paints on the walls in the living room and music room," says Reeves. "The only sure way to get the color you want is to slap it on the walls and live with it day and night, observing it at different times." Paint chips are for starting the process, not for making the final decision, she maintains.