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How to merge interior styles when moving in together

May 3, 2018 1 Comment

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By Jessi Deakin & Sarah Yarrow

The issue of merging styles once you move in with your beloved can be a particularly challenging one โ€“ particularly if youโ€™ve both spent years collecting and cultivating items prior. What exactly are you supposed to do if youโ€™re all about The Hamptons and your partner wants to rock the industrial distressed metal look?

However, if you and your partner have decidedly different ideas of what constitutes โ€˜styleโ€™, and itโ€™s an ongoing headache, then never fear – there are actually ways to combine the two as well as compromise without changing your Facebook status to โ€œItโ€™s complicatedโ€! Here are our top tips:

1 Define what youโ€™re both wanting in your home in terms of look and feel

This could be a mind map of key descriptive words like โ€œrelaxedโ€, โ€œcosyโ€, โ€œminimal” or some visuals of spaces you love and can see yourself living in. See if any of your key words overlap or coincide in any way. Chances are the images you are each drawn to are very different – at a glance you might think โ€œthis is going to be impossibleโ€ but look closely. Are there any common threads? Do you both like the same types of timbers? Cool or warm colour palettes? Patterns or textures? Minimal or eclectic? Fingers crossed youโ€™ll be able to find some common ground and use that as the basis of your decor.

2 Agree on your โ€œmust-havesโ€ and โ€œabsolutely-notsโ€

Whilst you might have your heart set on open shelving to display your collected treasures (that your other half refers to as โ€œclutterโ€ grr โ€ฆ), your partner might have a more minimal look in mind. At some point if you want to really pull a complete look together you both need to compromise, take a deep breath and cull the items and furniture that are outdated or simply donโ€™t fit into the greater scheme.

In most cases, if you dig deep enough, there are usually only certain, specific elements of a space that someone is non-negotiable on, with the others not really mattering to them as much. Determining where each of you stand on these is key as you figure out a compromise. For example, when out shopping your partner might be drawn to a black leather modular lounge which you can instantly see isnโ€™t going to fit in with your โ€œthemeโ€.

Before you run out of the store screaming, find out exactly what it is that he likes so much about it. It could be that he likes the size and shape of the modular lounge as it means he can stretch out and put his feet up at the end of the day. Perhaps he isnโ€™t fussed on the fabric or colour which means you can agree to look at modular lounges but perhaps in a grey textured fabric instead (which would fit in with your Scandi colour palette much more nicely). Boom – compromise complete!

3 Dedicate separate spaces to be styled exactly to each of your tastes

If your belovedโ€™s still in a sulk, here are two words for him: man cave. If hubby has a collection of sports memorabilia or bizarre ornaments from overseas that he refuses to keep in storage which youโ€™d prefer not have displayed front and centre in the living room, then encourage him to decorate his own space with pride. The same goes for yourself โ€“ designate yourself an area which you can pretty up whatever way you please.

For a home that doesnโ€™t look disjointed, it is still preferable to come to some kind of compromise on a central theme or colours that will define the main rooms and have cohesion. Whatever you do, donโ€™t go down the path of, โ€œokay you can choose the coffee table if I get to choose the entertainment unitโ€. This is a recipe for decorating disaster!

4 Compromise with the user-friendly Bohemian style

So what kind of style options are out there for couples that wonโ€™t cause a cold war? In our experience the one style that can pull together differing items coherently is Bohemian. We are experts in this eclectic style and the beauty of it is that if you do it well, itโ€™s quite versatile, unlike some other styles such as French Provincial or Scandi which are more rigid in their aesthetic.

Bohemian embraces different cultures, displays of interesting, sometimes clashing items, and utilizes different textures and natural materials. It embraces the carefree, the relaxed and the unusual. Tones are often warm and many varying colour palettes can be applied to suit different tastes. Thereโ€™s also a mix of patterns and elements donโ€™t need to fit in a traditional way. So your grandmaโ€™s antique 19th Century chair might look completely fine next to your partnerโ€™s retro 50s table!

5 If all else fails, hire an interior designer!

If youโ€™re facing a really tough stand off that shows no signs of wavering then a designer can step in and help both of you make those tough calls. As interior designers, a key part of our process is to get a sense of our clientsโ€™ personal tastes. This often involves two extremes and sometimes the opinions of other family members as well.

The best part is, an interior designer can provide technical reasons as to why one way is a better option than another and even offer completely new ideas to suit all parties. Once a vision is clearly outlined, you both may end up actually agreeing!

–Jessi and Sarah Yarrow are co-founders of Black Arrow, a Sydney-based interior design company focused on creating immersive, relaxing interiors that feed your soul. All photos are of their work.

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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  1. AvatarDakwerken says

    May 5, 2018 at 11:12 pm

    These are really great tips. Thanks for sharing them.

    Reply

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