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Fab.com's Braford Shellhammer Lays Down Decorating Rules For Couples

bradford shellhammer.jpg

We hit the International Contemporary Furniture Fair this weekend in Manhattan to get a peek at innovative ideas in decor (and to drool over some major furniture porn). Our first stop was at the Fab.com booth, where co-founder Bradford Shellhammer was displaying some of the site's must-have offerings.

Shellhammer—just back from another globetrotting jaunt but looking fresh as springtime (the bastard)—married boyfriend Georgi Balinov in March. So we thought we'd ask how couples who are moving in together can merge their possessions without heading to divorce court.

Here are Bradford's rules for harmonious cohabitation:

[caption id="attachment_101707" align="alignright" width="242"]Warhol Brillo Box poufs by Fab Warhol Brillo Box poufs by Fab[/caption]

1. Each partner gets one item they refuse to part with

"Even if its hideous, you should be allowed to keep one item that means a lot to you," advises Shellhammer. "Your job is to make it work in the space. Your partner's job is to figure out how to live it with it."

2. Let go of the rest

Couples are settling down later, which means you might both be already stocked with housewares, furnishings and the like. Don't get so attached to your salad bowl that it causes a rift in your marriage. "At the end of the day, it's just stuff," says Shellhammer. "

3. Make a fresh start

Instead of trying to figure out how to wed your vintage Bauhaus furniture to his French-bordello sofa, go shopping for new items. "Focus on shared interests—like travel or old movies—and start finding items that express that common style."

4. Marry well

As a parting word of wisdom Shellhammer joked about the best arrangement of all: "Do what I did: Marry someone who doesn't have strong feelings about style or decorating and is happy to let you make all the decisions."

If only.

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