Dear Jean and Richard, I’ve been reading your column for over three years and marvel at how you always seem to find a bridge to your home décor differences. Do you guys ever come to an impasse? –Josephine, Ft. Lauderdale

Richard: Hi Josephine. If you think about it, our very job is to find solutions to challenges. Jean—though a good designer—can herself be challenging, and when we can’t agree on something I usually wait until she’s out of the room, quietly phone the client, and tell him or her that Jean has had a nervous breakdown and I will be making the final decisions.
Jean: Ha! Fortunately, our clients are smarter than that. Admit it, Richard, you’d be lost without me to perfect a color scheme, soften a severe setting, or warn you that you have some spinach stuck in your teeth.
Richard: Why do you think I sometimes ask you if you want ketchup with that fry in yours? Although I will admit that sometimes I have to warn you about your, uh, “eclectic” wardrobe. Don’t you know that flowered Capri pants went out of fashion years ago?
Jean: At least they were once IN fashion. And I only wear them when we’re—or rather when I am—working. I can’t tell your black work clothes from your black dress clothes.
Richard: Of course you can. My dress shirts have collars on them. At least I can wear black without having hair all over it. Even my dog is black.
Jean: Hair? At least I have hair!
Richard: I used to have hair before I met you. I’ve been pulling it out ever since.
Jean: At least you’re not pulling mine.
Richard: Well—yours has been plenty yanked, pulled and colored over the years.
Jean: That’s for sure. But bald or yanked, I have to admit you’re a really good designer.
Richard: And I admit you’re a pretty snappy dresser. The Capri pants work pretty well for you. And your interior designs aren’t so bad, either.
Jean: Thanks, I guess. What was the e-mail question again? Oh yeah—do we ever come to an impasse. No, because we both believe there is a good solution for most design problems. And if there is not a good solution, there will at least be an appropriate solution. Wouldn’t you agree, Richard?
Richard: I like being bald. I mean, there’s really no good solution…comb-overs, carpeting or plugs?
Jean: Get a grip. We’re discussing design solutions now. I’m trying to demonstrate that we can work together, and want to know what you’re thinking.
Richard: I’m thinking I should call that new client at the Cliffs and tell her you’re not feeling well.
Jean: And I’m thinking maybe I deserve to have a breakdown.