The Compromise

Let me guess, your husband likes all things wood, leather, and dark.  You like things linen, tufted and bright.  So perhaps not the exact things that I just described but when it comes down to it you and your husband don’t see eye to eye in decor.  I get it.

His…

Hers..

Palmer Weiss

One solution is to hire me and to let me figure out the balance.  Shameless self-promotion never hurt a business.  But if you’re more of a do it yourself type of couple, here are my tips.

1. Work in layers

This advice works for all aspects of decorating; in fact, Jenny just did a post on layering. It’s especially important for couples to work layer by layer when decorating in order meet eye to eye.  Don’t run straight to Pottery Barn, try to buy everything at once and have the afternoon end in one huge fight.  Think of layering in what the female likes and also layering in what the male likes.

For instance, you may want coral pillows, well go out and buy those pillows you covet.  Then pair those with a deer antler pillow.

Available here.

Available here

What ends up happening is a more interesting room anyway.  For every feminine piece bring in a masculine piece.

2. Give a little, take a little.

So he really wants a leather sofa.  You can’t stand the look of them.  Well, think of ways to bring in what you love into the look.  Bring in tufting or a lighter color leather or maybe go with a faux ostrich.

Maybe what you can’t stand is this look:

But you could be into leather with more style, like this Baughman sofa…

Or in the Chesterfield style…

3. Finding common ground

Sometimes to find common ground it helps to talk bigger picture.  Spend a bit of time on House Beautiful scrolling through living room photos together as a couple.  Have your hubby grunt at the ones he finds acceptable and you can squeal with delight over the shots that you love.  Compare the two pictures and see if there is any common ground.  There may be a similar color or furniture type that reoccur in both photos.  Also, have your husband point out things that he likes in your inspirational shot and do the same for his.

My Pick:

Graham’s Pick:

We both like light, natural colors, classic pieces, wood frames and no overstuffed upholstery.

Our latest common ground piece:

An antique spring from an old truck.

Make a list of the common themes, items or colors and keep an eye out for those styles.

4. Shhhh…a little trick.

From my years of babysitting and teaching, I’ve learned a thing or two from kids.  Wearing someone down works.  Try mentioning something that you love seven to ten times a day, every day, until your husband gets so sick of hearing about it that he runs out and buys it for you.  But don’t tell anyone I told you that!

I’m still diligently begging for this fabric for our headboard…