how can we compromise

[fruitsalad]

we are about to decorate most of the rooms in the house and when its done I like modern and minimilist OH likes oldfashioned plates and pictures of animals etc which i really dont like he has some boxed up at the moment but he wants to hang some of them up how can we decide who has what without resorting to living in seperate houses.

[woofgang]

discuss it like adults.....or arm wrestle!

[LoftyLottie]

Go for semiminimalist or send your OH to live with us - we don't do minimalist.

Seriously though, you will have to compromise - so sit down and discuss which of his plates, etc. can go up and where.

[rowanwitch]

Allow a plate of the month in the hall

[mazie]

I think the arm wrestling is an excellent idea

[AB Editor]

May I suggest an accident with the box of plates? :)

It might be worthwhile letting a "shrine" to these plates exist - so your OH can go "all out" in one room and leave the others to quiet minimalist function.

That, or pick the plates you like/can put up with and hang them - after that you've already compromised, it'll all down to your OH :)

[AB Editor]

Also, use plates for eating food off maybe?

[ummmm]

Wow....I've never considered that men have an opinion on such matters.

[EvianBaby]

Get him a shed.

[rockyracoon]

This thread makes me grateful for my OH. He has absolutley no interest in what decorating goes on in the house and just leaves me to get on with it. I learnt the hard way when we first bought a place, I insisted he came sofa shopping and ended up with a monstrosity.

[LoftyLottie]

Mine has opinions ummmm!!! Fortunately for the most part our opinions are similar - considering we rebuilt our almost derelict house together (no buiders involved). When our opinions conflict there is war!!

[ummmm]

Mine does as well....I just don't listen to them :-)

In all seriousness he tends to like the end results of my choices even when he thought it might look naff. He tends to trust my judgements now.

When it comes to ornaments and nik naks....he's never owned any. His idea of decoration before I moved in was having a poster of Louise Rednap and a RIP George Best blue tacked to the wall.

[LoftyLottie]

Sometimes I would love someone who just let me choose everything, but he never has. Mind you these days he is the one who has to do everything DIY and decorating wise so I can't complain. We really do have very similar tastes funnily enough - even with clothing, which makes life a lot easier.

[LoftyLottie]

If I lived in an ultra modern house I would probably be more in tune with minimalist, but our house is probably about 200+ years old.

[ChuckFickens]

"funnily enough - even with clothing, which makes life a lot easier."

And I bet he looks lovely in your best frock.

[LoftyLottie]

Ha, ha Chuck. He really does, it goes well with his beard!!

[woofgang]

You know what? life is too short. Do you love him? then let him put the damn plates up.

[LoftyLottie]

Really do agree with you Woofy. Life is too short and a home isn't all about decorating and interior design. What really matters in a home is the people in it.

[heathfield]

'I insisted he came sofa shopping and ended up with a monstrosity.' So much for your husband, Rocky, but how was the sofa? (Just Kidding!) ;-)

[Robinia]

well said woofy...
I think it's all about how you show things off, I love to see plates grouped together, something along these lines
http://1.bp.blogspot....gRXE/s1600/plates.jpg

http://diningtablecn....chen-Restoration1.jpg

I only have myself to compromise with, I'd say I was semi-minimalist. The things I do have around are a bit eclectic but I don't worry if they don't really sit well together.

[ethandron]

If you have a suitable wall...in the hall maybe, or study, or anywhere else....then bung all the plates up on that one wall. They can look very nice hung like that, all clumped together, rather than old fashioned they can look modern and interesting. Same with the pictures, look at how you hang some of them in a completely different way...perhaps three or more hung underneath each other.
Failing that, divorce him and do it exactly how you want ;)
I hate fuss and clutter, fortunately himself doesn't care two hoots.