Differences in Decorating

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Marriage is many things. It is many wonderful things. It is also a series of compromises. I've mentioned (many, many times) before that J and I don't exactly have the same decorating style. While we disliked many of the same things (shabby chic, super traditional) there wasn't a lot we both liked.

Which was...problematic.

Here is a room J thinks is fabulous.

Photo from Houzz

Wood paneling? Check. Stone? Check. Ugly Comfortable recliners? Check. Now, it is missing leather sofas and he's not a fan of white rugs (because of the messy wife dog). Still, it's pretty close to everything he loves.

Meanwhile, over in Tracie land...

Julianne Moore's Living Room, Featured in Domino, by way of Coco & Kelley

See the difference? I like color, clean lines, and crafty fun times.

So we meld our tastes together. The living/dining room is an ongoing compromise. Lots of wood and brown tones, but also clean lines and fun pops of vintage awesomeness (like the art). The sofa is leather...but it's days are also numbered.

We both love the dining furniture (and will love it more when I replace the seat upholstery). And now the horse art hangs over the table, and looks awesome. Still, though, we need a light fixture over the table for both form (it'll look pretty) and function (there's no light on that side of the room). So when I saw this on Emily Henderson's blog today, I just knew I had found the perfect answer. It's stylish! It's simple! It's cheap (probably the most important factor!).

Excitedly, I showed it to J. Who laughed. A lot. And then asked if I got it off Pinterest. And then laughed some more. Then I asked him if he thought it wouldn't look right over the dining table, what did he think of using them in our bedroom. That's when the following dialogue commenced.

J: Do you remember Green Eggs and Ham?

Me: Yes...?

J: Because...

I do not like them on a wall
I do not like them in the hall

I do not like them over there
I do not like them by the chair

I do not like them with a truck
I do not like them because they suck

I do not like them because they're cheap
They look so awful they make me weep

I do not like them by the door
If people see them, they'll think we're poor

While being poor may be true
Without those people may think your decorating sense has an f'n clue

So after I finished laughing and made him repeat his rhyming masterpiece to me while I typed it in, I remembered why I married him. The man's decor sense might be lacking, but his ability to make me laugh is fantastic.

AND although he doesn't understand the genius of a hula hoop lamp, he's agreed to help me make one next week.

What decor designs cause debate your houses? Seriously, tell me, because sometimes I feel like every other couple agrees about every little thing they do in their homes.