i love a country decore, my boyfriend goes for contempary look. How can I blend the two styles?

Question

My house is large and roomy. Lots of flowers, country blue and lace. I even have made beautiful quilts that hang on the walls and grace every bed. His favorite color is toupe. Blankets belong on the bed, under the bed spreads. More contempary. I need advice on how to make us both feel confortable and enjoy this space we (him and I and our 5 boys!) will soon be sharing. We care about each other very much, but the country mouse and the city mouse need to come to some type of conpromise...Can you help?

Answer 1

I have this same problem with my husband. What we have done is more or less brought the two styles together. He picked out a very contemporary seemless sectional sofa for the living room in a taupe. I painted my walls in that room a dusty mint green. My curtains are red and have flowers....the TV and end table are contempo. My coffee table is a hand me down wooden one. The room looks great and it meshes well.

In the kitchen, I have a very country table that looks like someone attacked it with chains. My cabinets are all honey oak. The walls are a very country blue green...but the curtains are formal contemporary damask and all of my accessories are contempo (crystal, silver, and white.)

Maybe your quilts on the wall are too over the top. Taupe can be used on a sofa instead of a wall. Just do your best to compromise with him and then once he feels he got his way, floof it up when he isn't looking.

Answer 2

You should do what you can to eliminate some of the truly frou frou stuff, like the lace and flowers, but as far as quilts - you put a lot of work into them and they shouldn't be hidden away. Compromise by changing colors (especially wall color). Taupe is a great color, especially when you can put other, stronger colors with it. Country doesn't have to be cutesy anymore - you can get rid of that blue (really, it should be banned, anyway) and still have a warm, comfortable space. Check out the link below for some ideas on "Modern Country" decorating.

You also should check out a couple of decorating magazines that have "country" in the title. Get an idea of what country style has become in the past few years - it's a lot different from the old stuff. You might both like it.

Answer 3

you could both decide ahead of time which rooms get which decor. in the bedroom since it's a more personal room that you both share, i'd start with a solid neutral color (like taupe) and then blend a few touches of yours to that. (maybe have a solid comforter or spread and then add a smaller throw in a more country pattern and colors). i'd get a piece of paper and draw it all out, so i'd have a guide to go by....or get a pro to help..lol

Answer 4

You could hire a decorator like they have on TV house makeovers, or decide which rooms will be country and those which will be contemporary. A sprinkling of country amidst contemporary could be an answer too.

Answer 5

with five boys a lot of decorating items may need to be packed away to avoid breakage or unusual wear and tear!
you could pack away some of your items and bring them out one or two at a time gradually over time
keep your sense of humor and remember why you are together and keep trying to accommodate each other