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Pro Spotlight: A Definitive Guide to Designing as a Couple
A St. Petersburg designer shares how she helps bring each person’s wants, needs and interests into one cohesive design
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Who: Michelle Miller of Michelle Miller Design
Where: St. Petersburg, Florida
In her own words: “Meeting new clients and helping them create their dream home is so fulfilling.”
Designing with your partner, whether you’re redesigning your home together or moving in for the first time, is both exciting and nerve-wracking. What happens when you inevitably reach a design impasse? Principal interior designer Michelle Miller can help calm those fears. “Conflict usually arises between couples from initial ideas about the overall look, intended use or budget for a space,” she says.
Where: St. Petersburg, Florida
In her own words: “Meeting new clients and helping them create their dream home is so fulfilling.”
Designing with your partner, whether you’re redesigning your home together or moving in for the first time, is both exciting and nerve-wracking. What happens when you inevitably reach a design impasse? Principal interior designer Michelle Miller can help calm those fears. “Conflict usually arises between couples from initial ideas about the overall look, intended use or budget for a space,” she says.
An impressive resume of brand building. Miller’s love of design has taken many forms. “I was studying fashion at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science and they had just started a new interior architecture curriculum,” she says. “Everything about interior design interested me, but particularly from an architectural perspective.” Miller’s impressive career started in set design at the Walnut Street Theatre and then expanded to design for brands like Coach, Marie Claire, Diane Von Furstenberg and House Beautiful. Miller’s interpersonal skills and easy ability to engage with multiple stakeholders gave her a leg up when she launched her own design firm.
Compromise can come easily. In the early stages of the design process, you might realize that your vision conflicts with that of your partner. “If a couple is fairly far apart, we dig deep to find common ground and build on that,” Miller says. Often there will be two different ideas about how to use a space that can easily meld together. If your spouse wants a relaxing room to lounge and watch sports, that can translate into the soft, beautiful space the other partner is looking for. “You’re never as far apart as you think you are,” Miller says. “And I can’t tell you how often it comes down to integrating a recliner.”
Worried that you and your spouse will never find common design ground? Miller shares her top tips for couples below.
Worried that you and your spouse will never find common design ground? Miller shares her top tips for couples below.
1. Layer Colors to Connect Aesthetically Distinct Areas
It’s easier than you might think to create a cohesive look that appeals to both of you. “Clients are often surprised that our proposals blend what they thought were conflicting ideas and needs into a harmonic vision that can happily coexist,” Miller says. For instance, the homeowners of this Tampa home had very different tastes. “She preferred a feminine approach that was light, airy and serene. He preferred a more rustic, masculine approach with darker tones,” Miller says.
It’s easier than you might think to create a cohesive look that appeals to both of you. “Clients are often surprised that our proposals blend what they thought were conflicting ideas and needs into a harmonic vision that can happily coexist,” Miller says. For instance, the homeowners of this Tampa home had very different tastes. “She preferred a feminine approach that was light, airy and serene. He preferred a more rustic, masculine approach with darker tones,” Miller says.
The solution? Separate aesthetics in well-distanced spaces, with a more connected look in between. In the game room, Miller painted the walls a dark charcoal color and designed the ceiling with reclaimed-wood beams. “We used lighter leather on bar stools so that the overall space had a layered look,” she says. “The darker tones in the space are intermittently accented in the adjoining rooms through textiles, art and accessories.”
In the primary suite bathroom, Miller created a serene, spa-like feel. “We suggested a Sicis mural behind the tub that had a graphic floral design, which made it less feminine,” she says. The mural gradation includes gray and greige tones, which match the wall color in the game room and wallpapers and fabrics in the adjoining bedroom.
See more of this project
In the primary suite bathroom, Miller created a serene, spa-like feel. “We suggested a Sicis mural behind the tub that had a graphic floral design, which made it less feminine,” she says. The mural gradation includes gray and greige tones, which match the wall color in the game room and wallpapers and fabrics in the adjoining bedroom.
See more of this project
2. Rely on Finish Materials and Functionality to Find Cohesion
When combining different styles in the same home, Miller says, a subtle way to create consistency among rooms is to combine a cohesive color palette and finish materials. In this Tampa home, common ground was achieved by using warm neutrals contrasted with dark rich wood stains. “The stained wood ceiling and stained wall accents anchor the space,” Miller says. “The light marble facade on the fireplace and neutral wall color balance the room and create a timeless canvas.”
When combining different styles in the same home, Miller says, a subtle way to create consistency among rooms is to combine a cohesive color palette and finish materials. In this Tampa home, common ground was achieved by using warm neutrals contrasted with dark rich wood stains. “The stained wood ceiling and stained wall accents anchor the space,” Miller says. “The light marble facade on the fireplace and neutral wall color balance the room and create a timeless canvas.”
“Since the living room was the main focal point of this home, we started with functionality and asked how they intended to use the space,” Miller says. While the husband wanted a large, comfortable sofa in a dark upholstery for sports viewing, the wife preferred a light sofa that would make the home feel bright and fresh. “She likes to host parties and prefers not to have the layout focused on the television,” Miller says. Miller’s answer? Two sofas that face each other, with additional side seating. “This created a cozy, intimate conversational area that achieved the clients’ functional goals and each of their decorating preferences, as well as a very interesting and inspiring room!” Miller says.
See more of this project
See more of this project
3. You Never Have to Choose One Side or One Style
Compromise isn’t a necessity with the right interior design. “Often clients assume it’s difficult to carve out areas that express their individuality while still accomplishing a cohesive look,” Miller says. “We feel that this closet, in the same Tampa home, represents that realization.”
Primary closets are no longer an afterthought in the design process. Homeowners want a wow-factor space that expresses who they are and, of course, meets their storage needs. “In this closet, he preferred darker stained wood for a masculine feel. She, on the other hand, wanted a ‘she cave’ retreat,” Miller says. The white mirrored cabinets contrast with the stained wood as well as the lighted display shelving, dressing area, chandelier and plush upholstery (with pullout drawers below for him) to create a harmonious and functional balance. “This is truly a his-and-hers closet!” Miller says.
More: For more information on Michelle Miller and examples of her work, visit Michelle Miller Design’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Compromise isn’t a necessity with the right interior design. “Often clients assume it’s difficult to carve out areas that express their individuality while still accomplishing a cohesive look,” Miller says. “We feel that this closet, in the same Tampa home, represents that realization.”
Primary closets are no longer an afterthought in the design process. Homeowners want a wow-factor space that expresses who they are and, of course, meets their storage needs. “In this closet, he preferred darker stained wood for a masculine feel. She, on the other hand, wanted a ‘she cave’ retreat,” Miller says. The white mirrored cabinets contrast with the stained wood as well as the lighted display shelving, dressing area, chandelier and plush upholstery (with pullout drawers below for him) to create a harmonious and functional balance. “This is truly a his-and-hers closet!” Miller says.
More: For more information on Michelle Miller and examples of her work, visit Michelle Miller Design’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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We couldn't be more pleased with Michelle Miller Design! We wanted to redesign some rooms in our house and initially met with Michelle and Curt. They understood just what we wanted and assigned Diana ...More