6 Ways to Get a Decorated Room You'll Both Love
I recently wrote about blending two disparate interior design styles, like traditional and modern, to help couples develop a style based on compromise. But that was only scratching the surface. The thing is, every couple is different, and every design style is different, even if it's lumped into a broad category like traditional or modern — there will always be personal nuances that slightly alter every space.
To create a pleasing design balance, some designers use the 80/20 rule, in which a room represents 80 percent of one style and 20 percent of a contrasting look. But creating a life together is more of a 50/50 proposition. Sometimes 60/40, sometimes 40/60, but overall it's a balancing game.
I don’t get hung up on the percentages, but the key is to create a successful result that respects each individual. Working with two people's styles when the styles have little in common can be a source of conflict, but this can also be an opportunity to create a new look with elements common to both.
Here's more on how to approach the task while keeping harmony on the home front.
Relate through form. This room is successful because the use of organic form is common among the elements, and they all have a tactile quality about them. You can achieve a great result like this when you really understand why each of you is drawn to a certain look of a piece.
This chair, by Eero Saarinen, was called the Womb Chair when designed for Knoll in 1948. Named for its comforting sense of security, it marries well with other security- and comfort-offering pieces with which it keeps company. For many people traditional or historical elements offer a feeling of comfort because they have stood the test of time.
Understanding the reasons your partner is drawn to a different look is key to understanding how to work with these preferences. And when both partners' tastes are reflected in a room, the result can be far more interesting.
Compromise. Transitional spaces like this sometimes please both partners. If you really are a purist and can't bear to see a less-than-ideal version of the look you love, you may need to look for something new you both can enjoy.
This room is neither too traditional nor too modern. The best design and peacekeeping solution might be a straight-up-the-middle compromise.
More about transitional style
Freshen up. You may find that traditional pieces are more pleasing to your partner if they are modernized through pattern and color. With your grandmother's handed-down ottoman, for example, it might be the floral pattern your partner is objecting to.
The ottoman here feels very current in a neutral textile. And the rest of the furniture is a carefully disciplined mix. The room has traditional elements and furnishings, but the textiles keep it fresh and modern. You can see that the fireplace was once very detailed — again a case for simplifying. It now reads as texture and doesn't make the space too fussy. If you have ornate millwork, try painting it to simplify the detail.
Add something bold and unexpected. This room was decidedly traditional until the bold and graphic rug was introduced with the sectional. If one of you loves modern, don't hesitate to really shake things up by adding a bold statement. The strong blue of the upholstery holds the look together because it has the same visual weight as the carpet.
Repeat, relate and get the mix just right. This beautiful room, by C.R. Lane, is a great example of a balanced mix of traditional and contemporary furniture. The sofa and the chairs on the left are versatile pieces (they would work well in a contemporary or modern room) that harmonize well with the more traditional wing chair on the right, as well as with the kilim-upholstered ottoman.
If you look at the details, you'll see that each element is related to another by color or pattern, and the elements are repeated. If you love this look, remember that the key to success is repetition (don't just include one piece that is traditional; encourage it to welcome a friend), and relate the pieces by use of color or pattern.
Stick with the 80/20 rule. It works beautifully here. If you are just gaining confidence in this mix-and-match game, take some cues from this look. A traditional area rug grounds this otherwise modern living room, giving it an air of history. If you have modern furniture, injecting a bit of history through a traditional element will keep it from looking like a showroom setup. The result will be more individual and personal.
Tell us: What do you struggle with including that your partner just can't live without?
Part 1: Practical Ways to Merge Tastes
