Jonathan’s Advice on Combining Interior Design Styles with Your Partner
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If you’ve seen the Park House or their newly renovated New York City apartment, you know that Jonathan and Zooey have no problems merging their design tastes. In both spaces, they combined whimsical pattern, color, and ornate detailing to create homes they both love—and love being in together. But how exactly did Jonathan and Zooey work on combining their interior design styles to get that picture-perfect look that feels effortless? And if you’re having trouble getting on the same page as your living partner, what advice does he have for you?
Jonathan is spilling all his secrets on how to blend your individual tastes with a significant other or roommates , and sharing advice on how to combine your styles in a way that feels cohesive, intentional, and respectful—rather than messy, disjointed, and stressful. See his tips in detail in the video above, and don’t forget to follow the Drew and Jonathan YouTube channel to get helpful advice and tips like this every week. (P.S. If you haven’t watched the walk-through video of his and Zooey’s NYC apartment, you’re missing out! Catch it here and see the exclusive look into all the fine details.)
Jonathan’s Tips on Merging Design Styles With Your Significant Other
1. Discuss Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves
When you’re first combining households, you likely can’t (and probably shouldn’t!) bring everything you both have. To avoid an overwhelming amount of boxes on move-in day, discuss each other’s wants. vs needs so you start off strong and on the same page. “Is there a family heirloom, or a collectable, or a gift that you gave each other that is an absolute must and you want to make sure it’s showcased? Put it on the must-have list,” Jonathan says. “The other stuff that’s like, ‘Well, we have it but we can probably do without it.’ Move it over on the other list. That way, you already know here’s where we draw the line in the sand and here’s the stuff that’s maybe not as important.”
2. Whoever Uses a Space More Often Has the Final Say
“In our house, Zooey is the cook. She is amazing, and runs that kitchen—so she should have the final say in what we do in that space because it really is her domain,” he says. Likewise, if you have an office, you could take the lead in what you want that room to look like. It’s not that the other person can’t have an opinion, but if one half functions in that space more often, they should get to lead the charge on the foundation of that area.
3. In Rooms You Share, Build Your Style on Common Ground
“But what about the bedroom?” Jonathan says. “You’re both sharing this bedroom—so who gets the final say?” In shared zones, Jonathan recommends finding some common ground. Start with a neutral or agreed-upon color scheme, and let that be the jumping off point for layering in accent pieces like pillows or window coverings within that palette. Try your best to let the process feel collaborative and get comfortable with compromise. You never know—the bedding they choose might end up being your favorite element in the room!
4. Be Open-Minded About Tastes and Styles
Conversation and working together is at the heart of creating a home you both love. Be open to the idea of changing tastes and needs, and embrace getting inspired together. “If you look at magazines and you see something that you really both like, and maybe it wasn’t either of your preference initially, understand that tastes can change,” Jonathan says. “Don’t feel so locked in on something that you have to have, because in five years you might have a different opinion anyway.”
5. Communicate Disagreements Gently
“If there’s something you know that they want, but you really, really don’t want it, have an opportunity to talk about those things together,” Jonathan says. It’s worth it to communicate calmly and gently if you disagree with a certain design choice or style—nobody wants to be criticized or mocked for their taste! Approach the conversation with love, and try to explain why you want to go in a different direction.
6. Get Creative With Pieces You Might Not Love
Jonathan distinctly recalls a chair that his father, Jim, loved in their house growing up—but Jonathan’s mother, Joanne, did not. Instead of getting rid of it, they refreshed it instead. They had a custom slipcover made for the chair that better fit the style of the room, so Jim got to keep his favorite seat and Joanne was able to customize it with a fabric she loved.
Try to find solutions like this for the pieces in your own home where you might have the same problem: re-stain the outdated console that was passed down from a loved one; repaint the catchall dish they just can’t part with; get a new cover for your favorite pillow. There’s so many ways to breathe new life into objects.
7. Get on the Same Page About Budget
This can be the hard part for a lot of couples and roommates—someone feels comfortable spending more, while the other wants to keep the budget more modest. Jonathan says he sees it frequently with a lot of his clients. But it’s important to get on the same page before you make any big decisions! Try meeting in the middle, and be honest with how much money you can really spend. There are savvy ways to save where you don’t have to sacrifice style to get the look you’re going for.
“Most items that you would purchase for a house, you could also find a more modest version of that without sacrificing the aesthetic,” Jonathan says. “So there’s a lot of real good deals you can find—replicas of even vintage pieces that you may like—so you don’t have to blow the budget.” You can find real gems at online vintage markets, secondhand antique stores, and a slurry of other furniture retailers at a great price.
8. Everyone Needs a Space That’s Their Own
Everyone deserves a little zone where they can unwind, relax, and call their own. Depending on how much space you have at home, this might look like a craft room, your home office, the garden in the backyard, or a small reading nook in the living room. It doesn’t have to be a full room or a grand study (though it can be if you have the space for it!). The most important thing is that the area feels like a comfortable place for you to recharge.
9. The Most Important Thing Is Your Relationship with One Another
“Biggest thing is, you love your partner; you love your friend; your roommate; whoever you live with—you want to make sure you have a great relationship living together. So just take the time upfront to think through the whole process, and it’ll be better for you down the road,” Jonathan says. At the end of the day, the place you live is home for you both, so it should feel like it for everyone!
Bree Pulver O'Hagan
Bree is the Senior Digital Editor at DrewandJonathan.com. In the past, she’s worked for publications focused on home improvement and sustainable living. Bree’s Pinterest board is filled with cozy textures; vintage patterns; sculptural furniture; and moody, warm-toned colors. She has a degree concentrated in the intersection of writing and architecture, which influences her passion for exploring creative solutions to unusual home layouts and stylish renter-friendly decor. She’s a self-proclaimed pro at finding the best antique furniture in the most unlikely of places (but her cat Blue can certainly back these claims).
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