Dear Abby: My husband keeps second-guessing my decor decisions

Greetings, Abby

My spouse and I have been together for ten years. I put off decorating our house for a long time because I didn’t want to spend the money. However, I’ve been spending a lot of time browsing Pinterest over the past few years. I adore interior design and have a clear vision for how I want every room in the house to look.

My hubby is the issue. I once made an attempt to purchase a new shower curtain. He didn’t like the one I had picked, thus it was a complete disaster. I’ve finished my homework, Abby. How can I persuade my husband to let me decorate as I please? I’m so discouraged that I don’t even try because I’m worried every paint color and item of furniture would cause conflict.

Our house is really unsightly, and we’ve had the same dining room table, curtains, and bedding for years. Should I begin altering things without first talking to him? Shall I sit him down and have a conversation with him? Do I have the right to disregard his preferences? FRUSTRATED ARTISTRY

DEAR FRUSTRATED:

Before you make any adjustments, by all means talk to your husband about this. You should never make any decisions without first talking to him. Ignoring his opinion would be incredibly unfair. There will need to be some concessions. Using a professional decorator who can consider both of your preferences and assist you in combining them would be the least controversial method to do this.

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Abigail Van Buren, better known as Jeanne Phillips, is the author of Dear Abby. Her mother, Pauline Phillips, began the company. For more information, visit www.DearAbby.com or send an email to P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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You can acquire How to Write Letters for All Occasions by sending a check or money order for $8 (U.S. currency) to Dear Abby Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447, along with your name and mailing address. (The price includes shipping and handling.)

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