 
Each month Kathy will share her inspirations from home decorating to interior design, before & after projects, entertaining and lifestyle enhancements for your apartment- home-studio-dorm!
Visit Kathy Petersons Past Columns | About Kathy
Kathy Peterson is a celebrity design/lifestyle expert, national TV host and product developer/licensor. Peterson has made 100+ TV guest appearances on HGTV, DIY Network, PBS, TNN, The Discovery Channel and E-TV.
Kathy’s designs have also been featured in numerous women's publications and celebrity Oscar Gift Bags. She is frequently quoted in a variety of newspapers and magazine such as USA Weekend, Woman's Day, Chicago Tribune, RedBook and Cosmopolitan Magazine. She is author of 5 books with her most recent book titled
Book
Kathy Petersons Great Outdoor Decorating Makeovers. View Kathy's Resources |
Blending His and Her Styles
Columnist Kathy Peterson - KathyPeterson.com  I think one of the most challenging design questions I receive are often about mixing his stuff with her stuff. Yep, it can be a fine line blending a he/she room so here’s a solution that always works.
THE POWER IN COLOR Don’t underestimate the power of color. By blending his and her colors, you’ll replenish the energy in the room. In this example, brown, black and off-white are the key color components in this room. The brown walls set the stage for this room as a neutral his/her backdrop. The black chest plays off the wall yet anchors the room and definitely reflects “his” style. While the white chair creates a relaxed and casual refuge for “her”.
SET THE MOOD WITH STYLE 
Mood in a room can stem from many influences. Whether its texture, deep colors, wood tones, lighting, glass, or accessories, it's nice to come home to a sumptuous space that blends his and her styles. KEEP IT BALANCED  Don’t be afraid to mix styles. Unify the room by working with what you already have then fine tune and pair down the look using similar color palettes. Implement small portions of his and her accessories into the blend. For example, a white desk for her and an iron candle stand for him. Continue this balanced look using accessories that work for both sexes like mirrors, live plants, picture frames, clocks, books, and artwork.
COVER IT UP If working with upholstered furniture that isn’t the right color or if the piece is in poor condition, consider using slip covers in neutral colors to make it work in the space. This is a great way to cover up what you have and mix and match pieces of various styles. And my favorite fixer upper---Paint! Don’t be afraid to paint furniture to give it a fresh new look. | |
