Bold strokes: the eye-catching colors of Jackson couple's "empty nest" are punctuated by cherished works from Mississippi artists.

When Wood and Jane Crater Hiatt decided to downsize a bit from their larger waterside house, they found the perfect place waiting for them in a private gated community called Waterstone. This compound of elegant, Neoclassically flavored dwellings is ideally located in the heart of northeast Jackson, and that was a major drawing card for the couple. Wood, a psychiatrist, wanted to be near his office and local hospitals. Jane, though retired from her position as director for the Mississippi Arts Commission, stays active as a volunteer for the Community Foundation for Greater Jackson, so a central location was important to her as well.

"This place offered security, convenience, and good neighbors," says Jane. "As a matter of fact, we already knew most of the people living here, which was a big plus for us."

Making the new space seem like home was certainly no trouble for the Hiatts. For starters, they used their favorite furnishings from their former house, paring down just enough to fit the smaller space. Their enviable and extensive collection of Mississippi artwork--paintings, prints, and sculpture--also made the move with them.

They kept another very valuable thing: their interior designer. Michael Grogan, whose services they had used and loved before, took on the pleasant task of making their art and other possessions fit into their new home. "Michael is wonderful to work with; he knows the look and feel we prefer in our living spaces," comments Jane. "We like a bit of drama, and classical materials, but we want the artwork to be the focus. We feel so fortunate to live in a state that continues to produce so many truly awesome artists."

Entering the grand but welcoming foyer through the front garden, the balance of classicism and modernity is immediately visible. The wallpaper is a large-scale, buttery-hued damask print, which is carried into the dining room for flow and continuity. Providing an intriguing contrast in the entry is an African-flavored textile on the small chaise, over which hangs a dramatic self-portrait by John Gaddis in a grisaille ink wash/watercolor. Slate pavers in a variety of hues and sizes create a cool surface underfoot.

The dining room was kept elegantly understated to showcase the enormous P. Sanders McNeal landscape. McNeal did the sketches for this work while traveling in Europe with the Hiatts, her good friends, so the painting provides happy personal memories each time the couple views it.

Across the hall, a dramatic sitting room is a study in bold color and visual excitement. Deep grape-hued walls are especially attractive at night, allowing the art and pale-toned furnishings to stand out. Twin kidney-shaped Art Deco-style sofas covered in nubby oatmeal-colored chenille face each other before the large fireplace, over which hangs a Greek key-motif mirror. "This piece, like so many of their wonderful things, came from the old house," notes Grogan. "But it didn't really work in this spot until we chopped off the arch on the top. Then we hung it upside down!" Opposite the large front window, curtained in a striated chartreuse silk, are two very large commissioned mixed-media works by former Mississippian Bill Dunlap. Also drawing immediate attention in the room are two of Michael's own custom creations---his quirky Star Boxes. "I should never have sold that one," he sighs regretfully, pointing to one with projecting stars fabricated by the late John Imbragulio. "Well, it's too late," Jane replies with a laugh. "It's staying right here!"

Central to the first floor is a large, open kitchen with brushed stainless steel appliances, although the Hiatts admit that they generally prefer to have everything catered when they entertain. Still, even a non-cook could happily spend time here, enjoying the warm persimmon walls and the "Rose Cream"-hued granite on the curved breakfast bar, beyond which lies a sunny and comfortable sitting area. More McNeal and Dunlap canvases compete for attention with one of the Hiatts' other favorite things: a wall-mounted plasma-screen television, one of many throughout the house. The chairs and curtains are a strong checkerboard Oriental print in tones picking up those used in the artwork.

Leading from the kitchen and sitting area is a short rear hall, dominated by one of Jane's early acquisitions: Walter Anderson's "King" woodblock print. This passage leads to one of the couple's preferred spots for relaxing and catching up on the day's events: a cozy library. "I probably spend four hours a day right here," admits Jane, pointing to one of a pair of contemporary crimson leather chairs, which were handcrafted by artisans in Milan. Aside from the chairs, the room's palette is soothing and neutral, with texture provided by a sisal rug and a wall of well-filled bookshelves. A long window overlooks a peaceful, sunny courtyard.

In the nearby powder room, the walls are papered in a Neoclassical print that shows scenes of New Orleans. A lovely silver-gilt mirror made from picture-flame molding hangs above the band-carved vanity topped with creamy onyx. Cabinet doors are fronted with French fil de poulet wire and backed by shirred fabric.

On the opposite side of the first floor is a cool, spacious master bedroom, designed for almost Zen-like tranquility. Pale striped wallpaper in oyster and grey tints is matched in softness of tone by the Scandinavian ice-blue of the ceiling, suggestive of an early morning sky+ The wide windows admit sunlight through sheer panels with a shadow-work motif of silvery squares. A built-in window-seat, with stereo equipment hidden beneath, offers yet another vantage point for viewing the courtyard.

The adjoining master bath is done in cool beige, vanilla, and cream tints, with many spa features such as a luxurious whirlpool tub and mirrored walls. However, the outer world does have its entree into this paradise--opposite the tub is yet another wall-mounted plasmascreen television!

Upstairs, Jane and Wood have their separate offices and guest quarters for the grown children. All in all, it is a perfect "empty nest" house, although this term seems woefully inadequate to describe the busy lives of the two who live here. Expansive, efficient, beautiful, and intriguing--and anything but empty!