You have just tied the knot for forever. You are both moving into your own home and there is some panic. How do you blend two tastes, and two individual styles? He likes contemporary, she likes shabby chic. How do you blend the two together?
Differing tastes don’t have to mean trouble. A couple can build a harmonious home that will appeal to both persons senses. There are many ways to combine styles, colors and themes to reflect both of your tastes and make sure that the new home is a reflection of who they are. It means blending what you like to create that space that will be uniquely yours.
Start with the following tips:
1. Respect each other’s feelings. If there are pieces that each is strongly emotionally attached to, gladly put those in your home somewhere like a guest room, which is not necessarily seen every day , but still part of the over all decor.
2. Find common ground. Instead of focusing on opposites, select objects that you both love and scatter those throughout the house. Use those as starting points in decorating harmony. Perhaps you both like the pine furniture he owns or the beautiful rug she bought while on vacation.
3. Determine which pieces are needed most, which ones are for forever, and which ones are for short-term. Make a plan and set a budget for replacements and/or additions.
4. Make color a key in decorating. Pick a palette that you both enjoy and incorporate your furnishings. Color can harmonize and pull together different styles. Use this color palette for fabrics, accessories, pictures, and window treatments.
5. Focus on the scale of the furnishings and objects so that they balance each other out. Don’t worry about mixing various shapes and materials. For example, a traditional camelback sofa could be paired with modern coffee table, as long as they are in proportion to one another.
6. If you have colorful furnishings and are mixing a variety of styles and objects, you may consider choosing a neutral color and unifying scheme for the walls to “quiet” the eye.
7. If one of you likes bold colors and other is more comfortable with “quiet” colors, use your bold colors as accents such as slipcovers or pillows, or maybe paint just one wall in a bold color as a focus in a room. Don’t take risks on using bold colors on such items as flooring, which is difficult to replace.
8. Do research together. When purchasing new pieces, make some comprises. Discuss your friends’ furniture and styles, scan magazines, watch decorating shows, and browse through stores and the internet together before you make any choices. Put together a scrap book of ideas.
9. Remember to compromise. Incorporate some of “his” straight lines and heavy furniture of dark woods with “her” bright floral fabrics, light accessories, and attention to details.
10. When the space allows it, it is sometimes helpful to designate “his” and “her” areas and decorate as you please. Perhaps his is the family room, and hers is the home office. Each will then have a private retreat that reflects their personal taste and comfort.
Mostly, keep it light and fun, and enjoy the process of creating your new space together. It will be your own new space with your own personal style. How great is that??
For information about GG Design Inspirations and Gina’s design services please visit: www.ggdesigninspirations.com , or call: 410-672-7224
