Christina Anstead’s Advice for Couples Who Just Can’t Agree on Decor

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Christina Anstead knows that couples don’t always agree—on home decor or otherwise. (Remember all of her arguments with her ex-husband and flipping partner Tarek El Moussa on “Flip or Flop“?)

And on her new show, “Christina on the Coast,” we see that plenty of her clients can’t see eye to eye, either.

In the latest episode, “A Clash of Style,” Anstead helps newlyweds Montana and Liz update their home in Long Beach, CA. It’s a big design job, which is made more challenging when these clients can’t agree on how their house should look.

Read on to find out how Anstead helps them compromise, and how they both end up pleasantly surprised by their new surroundings. Perhaps you can avoid your own domestic design battles, too!

Get a sample before you decide

These homeowners made the right choice when they picked blue over black cabinets.

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When the three of them discuss the kitchen, it’s clear that Montana is set on having black cabinets, while Liz wants blue. Neither is willing to compromise, and things are tense between the newlyweds. It’s clear that Anstead will have to act as the tie-breaker.

To help, Anstead brings the newlyweds a sample for blue shaker cabinets. Upon seeing it in real life, Montana warms up to the hue, and allows Liz to get her way. And by the end of renovation, they’re both happy they went with blue. The cabinets bring a sophistication to the kitchen without making it look too harsh.

“Wow, it looks really, really good,” Montana says of the kitchen. “I cannot believe how it turned out.”

Light flooring is a must-have in a home with pets

Christina Anstead’s flooring choice looks beautiful!

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Since Montana had to compromise on the cabinet color, he’s hopeful that he can call the shots when it comes to flooring. However, he and Liz butt heads once again.

While Montana likes the idea of a dramatic, dark floor, Liz prefers a lighter shade. Once again, Anstead acts as the tie-breaker and explains that the lighter floors won’t just work better with the rest of the home’s design, but will be more practical with their three dogs.

All the fur those pooches shed would show up on a dark floor, but blend in better on a lighter one, she explains.

Montana eventually agrees to medium-gray laminate flooring, and while it may seem like another compromise, he ends up liking it a lot.

Extend your fireplace up

Anstead knew this fireplace was due for a makeover.

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Montana finally gets his way with the fireplace. Anstead wants to take the small fireplace in the living room and make it a grand statement piece by extending it all the way to the ceiling.

Montana is happy that the fireplace will feature the matte black tile he loves.

The fireplace now goes all the way to the ceiling.

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When the fireplace is finally finished, the couple love the look. As it turns out, Montana’s dark style finally found a perfect place in the house.

“It’s just black and Gothic,” Montana says of the fireplace. “It’s so cool, it’s awesome.”

Pay attention to the ceiling

This wood-tone ceiling made the house look charming but dated.

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If there’s one thing Liz and Montana agree on, it’s that the house needs a fresh coat of paint—particularly on the drab wood-tone ceiling. So Anstead is happy to break out a new color, and explains that they can’t go wrong with white.

This white ceiling looks much more modern.

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Once done, the new color alters the look of the home in a big way. With the clean, white look, this home seems like a better fit for this young couple.

“It felt before like a country cabin,” Anstead explains. “And now it feels like this really chic, modern, industrial space.”

Dog rooms don’t have to look drab

This space was cluttered and messy.

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After a long renovation and lots of hard design choices, Anstead wants to surprise the couple with an upgrade to their dogs’ space, too.

Montana and Liz use their mudroom as a doggie area. It’s a functional space, but not very stylish. Anstead decides to take out the large, imposing cabinets and replace them with cozy dog beds. Along with a fresh coat of white paint, Anstead creates a light, relaxing spot for this couple’s canines.

This doggie space looks so much cleaner now.

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While Montana may still be a fan of darker colors, he likes the bright look of this doggie space.

“It’s really, really cute,” he says.

Is Christina Anstead’s latest home design up to snuff?

Anstead has $75,000 to make this home feel new for her newlywed clients. While this seems like a healthy budget, Liz and Montana make the renovation more challenging with their various style feuds.

It takes Anstead 15 weeks, an added $500 to the budget, and a whole lot of design negotiations, but in the end she’s able to give Liz and Montana a beautiful home they both adore—and some lessons on living together in harmony.

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