The Newly Wedded Apartment - Eliminating Differences in Decor

Page 1 of 2 ON a recent trip to New York City, I witnessed a domestic drama fit for the nearby Broadway stage -- the blending of his-and-her apartments into theirs. My sister and her fiance were smushing two tiny apartments into one. As the big day loomed, this household whittling had assumed life- or-death implications for the otherwise happy couple. His black leather couch sent the nails screeching down her decorative chalkboard. Her desire to coat the walls in "Touch of Lemon," rather than his preferred "White," had him wondering if he should put his foot down now on French Provencal. As young couples blend households and decorating tastes, for better or for worse is becoming an increasingly less abstract concept. Hence the proliferation of shows such as Lifetime's "Merge," WE's "Mix it Up" and HGTV's "Designing for the Sexes." Find me a couple who blends their two decorating styles effortlessly, and I'll show you a couple where one of them is design guru Colin Cowie. When one person's trash is another's treasure, Cupid seems to get a kick out of hooking them up. So, in honor of the impending wedding season, here are a few tips - - some from decorating pro Allison Paladino, some from the folks at the American Furniture Manufacturers Association, and others I learned the hard way -- to help keep cohabitants from singing, "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off." Find common ground. Instead of fighting over how much you hate his tattered leather recliner and he despises your collection of 1940s hats, focus on how much you both prefer bold colors and unfussy furniture. If you both like something, keep it. If you can afford to add a few items, shop together for them. If one partner is more into this than the other, have her (or him) take some scouting trips first, then bring in the other partner for final decision-making. If you both like something, buy it. Another time-saver: Paladino advises couples to peruse apartment design magazines before they head out to shop, to find styles and items they can agree on ahead of time. Prev - Next >> < Prev   Next >