What happens when you get a confidential call from a spouse professing genuine concern about their other half's taste or lack thereof? Of course, designers and decorators work themselves into a tizzy worrying about whether to please the pleading spouse or the paying spouse. The fine art of diplomacy must be employed by the designer without the other spouse suspecting any collusion. I am always in favor of an initial meeting with both homeowners to get a clear picture of their needs and a feel for how involved or uninvolved both parties wish to be.

This is especially true when undertaking a major renovation such as a kitchen or bathroom remodel or a home addition. Both homeowners should be in sync with the project to avoid designer confusion and costly change orders. Some clients in the past have told me, "I just want my wife to be happy." And yet others have pulled me aside and said, "There are to be no changes from the plan. Ignore anything she tells you!" This is why these initial meetings are such a good idea.

When decorating, things are not as crucial. Selections such as fabrics and paints are easier to change should one of the spouses be adamantly opposed to a choice. Still, the theme of the decor and the color scheme should be discussed with both parties to minimize unceremonious surprises. The designer has to play a delicate balancing act so that the project does not turn out "too feminine" or "too masculine," but rather a blend of both wants and desires.

A "he said, she said" scenario can be easy to fall into if the designer or just one homeowner is making all the decisions. Sometimes these differences can be resolved by dividing the house into sections over which one or the other will have more say in the design process. For example, one spouse may think their office and bathroom are areas in which they want to contribute more toward the design, while the other spouse might be better suited to orchestrate the renovations of a living room and dining room. Areas of expertise might be the way to go for the major decisions, all the while consulting each other in smaller decisions for those rooms.

In a roundabout way, the designer plays the role of a therapist, making sure all voices are heard. The result will be a design well received by both parties and accolades from their friends regarding the designer's capabilities.

Designing for any two individuals is hard because opinions and tastes differ from one individual to another. Everyone's ideas about what constitutes good taste vary because these concepts are generally formed from birth and develop with exposure to environments throughout their life. Because no two souls are exactly alike, there will always be differences of opinions. However, these can be minimized if we take the time to listen to each other. No one holds a monopoly on taste. Remember that two ideas are better than one.

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.