To agree or not to agree… if you are anything like me, I have grown to embrace the fact that my husband and I often disagree on mostly everything! We have a very harmonious relationship though, as over the years, we have learnt to embrace, even celebrate our differences! Having said that, the thing that we have agreed and made the break thorough was the division of home departments and giving each other free reign over those areas. He plans the holidays, I choose our child’s school clubs and activities, he does the cooking (mostly) and organises our weekly food shopping, I visit the garden centre or hardware store… you get the gist. It works until the choices overlap into the implicitly allocated areas of control! The house refurbishment style affects all departments in the family. I see this happening in my house and in every family home, I visit to discuss a house renovation project as the architect.

What is it about the style that is so important, anyway? Surely, it is the additional space that we need that is what we should focus on for the renovation. This couldn’t be furthest from what happens with good architectural design. To achieve a beautiful home, there are many aspects to bring together. A coherent thread that needs to be followed for finding balance, harmony and delight. A combination of the right choice of materials, proportions, visual and sound management and natural/artificial lighting will shape the end result. Interpreting your taste into a design with a definite style will bring the WOW effect to the project. Your architect should request design direction as part of their brief. 

The picture new clients paint to me when we discuss the way they feel about shaping the ‘dream home’ is one of having to reach a compromise s a couple. They want to find the ideas they both love to create the dreamed spaces … they want to make a beautiful home happen! BUT, they know the style is to become secondary to all the compromises required to reach the necessary agreements. In all the years working with families and their homes I have observed that the ones that succeed the most have done it by; 

#1 Tackling the issues of taste and style before the decision-making time.

Sometimes agreeing on the things we do not like is an easy way to find to common ground. Having open discussions as early and far away to deciding on the final spacial distribution or products will not only lead to the best outcome but also reduce stress. Allow time to chose the architect and design team that works for you. 

#2 Get the right team to support you

A professional’s independent view will go a long way to help iron out differences. The earlier you get the input, the better chances you will have to find the project direction. It would help if you worked with someone good at listening in.

#3 Research and share your findings

There are now so many resources online and platforms to find design ideas, use these to learn more about your own taste. Share them together and explain why you find them attractive. Talking about the way we want to feel comes naturally to us. Use this as a tool to speak about design and style.

I know that for the majority of people who do not work with buildings professionally, design style can become a frustration. Figuring this out on your own can seem a daunting prospect. It needn’t be this way. Quite the opposite, it should be one of the most exciting times in your project’s life. Let’s set up a time to talk. I would love to hear more about your ideas and help you during an initial consultation, at no charge.