A shared design brief when your tastes differ
Give your designer a clear picture of what each of you enjoys and how you want to use the room. You can bring different references to the same conversation. The useful next step is to explain which details matter to each person, then identify the decisions you would like help making.
Try this exercise for one room before discussing the whole home.
Start with a page each
Write down a place where you feel comfortable, an object you want to keep and something you would like to do in the room more often. Choose a few reference images and add a short note to each.
Be specific about the part you like. A photograph of a traditional room might appeal because of the wood, the close seating arrangement or the patterned upholstery. Someone else may like an open, modern room for its clear surfaces rather than its colors.
Keep each person's notes attached to their references. Your designer can then see both perspectives.
Compare the reasons behind the choices
Here is a hypothetical pair of references and the questions they could raise:
| Reference | What one person likes | A question for the design brief |
|---|---|---|
| A room with dark wood, books and a patterned chair | A place to read surrounded by familiar things | Which books and objects should be within reach, and which piece of furniture do we want to keep? |
| A room with pale upholstery and open shelving | Space around the furniture and a few objects on display | How much would we like to display, and what should have enclosed storage? |
These notes give you several choices to discuss: how to arrange the seating, where to put the books, how much storage you need and which materials each person responds to. A designer can explore those choices together in the context of the actual room.
Bring a short shared brief
Use three small sections: what we agree on, what matters individually and what we want to explore.
For example, you might agree that the room needs two comfortable reading seats. One person wants to keep an inherited cabinet; the other wants to discuss where it could sit. The open question becomes how to accommodate those priorities in the layout.
Leave an unresolved choice visible. A note such as “We would like to compare a quiet rug with a patterned one alongside our existing furniture” tells the designer what would help you decide.
Finish with practical details: who uses the room, the furnishings you plan to retain, your timing and the investment you are considering. These belong alongside your references so that the conversation connects appearance with everyday use.
Talk about your room
If you are considering a furnishing project in Seattle or the Eastside, explore Nob Hill Style’s interior design services. When you request an introductory call, tell us which room you have in mind and what you would like help bringing together.