Two Styles Become One...

           

 

So you tied the knot! The honeymoon was wonderful and now you are starting to blend the old and purchase some new...furniture that is. He wants a bulky recliner and a television that's so large you could see it from the moon.  She wants a loveseat, a chaise, and a curio for all her dainty collectibles. Houston, we have a problem! Well, welcome to one of the first in a long line of compromises you'll have to make as a couple.In design, and just in general, you need to find a happy median when you disagree. This is definitely easier said than done, but very do-able.  So let's talk about how to achieve this feat without completely ruining your relationship.

HIS major offenders:

• Ginormous television
• Old mis-matched college furniture
• Recliner (typically big on comfort and not very easy on the eyes)

HER major offenders:

• A gazillion pillows on the bed, sofa, ceiling (well, not the ceiling but you get it)
• Towels in the bathroom that are not to be used. Decoration only.
• Overly girly accessories. Lace curtains, Pink Bedspreads, Floral patterns, etc.

COMPROMISED SOLUTIONS:

• Okay, the college furniture has probably seen better days so it should probably go.

• An oversized television tends to look awkward so if you pick a television size that falls right down the middle of what either of you were thinking, you should be alright. Ladies, men tend to feel strongly about their electronics and they should be happy in their home so the television will probably end up being larger than you want, but that is the compromise. And fellas, if the television is so big that there isn't enough space to walk around then you should consider going a little smaller. 

• Recliners (sigh). I know they are comfortable and fortunately they have come a long way since your recliners of the 80's.  So there is likely a stylish option that could work for both of you on the market.

• Ladies, the pillows. I too am guilty. For the bedroom, limit the decorative pillows to three. And don't have them made from the finest silk in the land because you WILL be mad when your husband lays, crunches, and sweats on them. Same for the living room. Quantity probably doesn't matter as much, but make sure that the pillows are durable enough to stand up to the abuse of him scrunching them under his head, arm, and/or leg to watch the huge telelvision (lol).

• On to the towels. If they're there people, not just your husband, are going to use them. So either get used to the idea of them being used or put out your decorative towels along with paper napkins so there is an alternative.

• Finally, the frilly, foofy accessories.  As for floral patterns, try to use more graphic florals than chintzes and mix with a stripe or geometric to balance things out. And really, pink bedding especially in such  large doses is a little overboard. Your husband doesn't want to feel like he's sleeping in his little sister's room!

So I bid you well as you mix your style and your lives together. I know the above does not address every possible situation, so if you have a style mixing dilema that you need help with,  feel free to contact me with your problem and I'll be happy to help you figure  out a compromised solution. DesignEtcHome@gmail.com