| Your wedding may have been the biggest party | | | | tables, etc., think together, "Will this coordinate |
| that you have ever thrown in your life with the | | | | with rest of my furnishings?" or "Does this reflect |
| delicious food, five-tiered wedding cake, and the | | | | who we really are as a couple? By asking these |
| beautiful array of flowers and decorations. It was | | | | questions and being very realistic with yourselves, |
| a wonderful experience and you will never forget | | | | you will successfully organize your possessions |
| all of the fun you had with your family and | | | | and your new home. |
| friends. The wedding was spectacular, but now | | | | Your Design Styles |
| your real life with your new husband or wife | | | | Now that you are organized and have decided on |
| begins! The changes that must be made to blend | | | | what items will stay, what will be the style for |
| your two lives together may take time and | | | | your home? The first step is to figure out each |
| patience, but it will eventually be as you always | | | | of your individual design styles. You can do this by |
| dreamed. As you move in together, you may be | | | | collecting pictures from your favorite design |
| wondering, "How will we blend our two design | | | | magazines or other popular print or online |
| styles together to create a home that is warm, | | | | publications. Gather these pictures and have a |
| inviting and represents both of our personalities?" | | | | "show and tell" with your spouse and express |
| Here are three ways that will help you blend your | | | | why you love a certain style. You may learn |
| design styles and create a home that you both | | | | something new about your loved one and also |
| will enjoy. | | | | that you may have similar tastes in style! |
| Get Organized | | | | Infuse Your Style |
| As a couple, you may now have four televisions, | | | | Finally, you have an idea of what you desire in |
| three computers, several boxes of your school's | | | | your home! You can now use your research and |
| memorabilia, and a mix of furnishings from your | | | | other inspiration from your favorite colors or |
| previous home. You should first decide which | | | | fabrics and infuse those styles into your home. As |
| items you need and which items you can do | | | | a couple, you can choose items by shopping at |
| without. Now this may be easier said then done, | | | | retail stores that provide furnishings and |
| but if you respect each other and compromise on | | | | accessories that reflect both of your design |
| items that reflect you as a married couple and | | | | styles. Choose items that really peak your |
| your life moving forward, this process will be a | | | | interest, items that you are comfortable with, and |
| success. A great way to decide which items | | | | items that show your uniqueness. Mix textures, |
| should stay in your home is to create a keep, | | | | fabrics, and accessories that will create a style |
| give away (Goodwill), and a trash pile or box. Each | | | | that is completely you as a couple and represent |
| person separates all of their belongings into each | | | | your personalities, beliefs, and lifestyle. |
| designated pile. After this is completed, go through | | | | Once you incorporate these three steps, you will |
| the keep box and decide as a couple if the items | | | | have a home that is inviting, beautifully blended, |
| necessarily belong within your new home. If you | | | | and that reflects you as an individual, but most |
| are deciding on large items, such as sofas, coffee | | | | importantly, as a happy married couple. |