Integrating speakers into contemporary decor - can WAF ever be overcome?

If you can't reach a trade off where you get speakers she doesn't particularly like and she gets something in other rooms she likes, consider investing in an acoustically transparent movie screen (possibly a motor driven one that lowers from the ceiling). It would make the room look smaller but no speakers would be in evidence. A 10 foot screen would cover a lot of systems'' speakers,

If she still objects get a picture of your dear wife and have it projected on the screen, telling her that you can't think of anything more attractive that could replace the look of your speakers

@kletter1mann --sounds like our wives are twins--my wife is/was an interior designer and sold very high end Italian contemporary but we collected Asian when we lived in Indonesia and Singapore -- and all our art is contemporary abstract (except my sanctuary where vestiges that a man actually lives here exist).  The short answer to your question is probably not, but the only way to approach it is to take her to various high end shops, if available, and let her look.  I did that and it was a failure so we have in-walls in the great room but fortunately i have a listening room and she never sets foot in there.  Good luck

This thread prompts me to reflect on how fortunate I've been in the matter of wives and audio.  Without going into too much detail, wife #2 got me started in quality audio.  I was supporting her equestrian habit, and really didn't buy much for myself.  Out of the blue, one day she asked, "why don't you get yourself some nice speakers?"  I did, and loved them.  She enjoyed them, too.  More equipment followed.  We shopped for amps together.

I was even more fortunate with wife #3 (current, and hopefully the last one)!  She is a former classical musician and recording artist.  When we went shopping together for speakers about three years ago, she told me "I don't care what they look like.  Sound quality is what matters."  Thankfully, our tastes in both music and speakers are closely aligned, but I care more about appearance than she does.  We ended up with Sonus Faber floorstanders, which we agree sound terrific -- the best speakers we auditioned -- and look good.  

May you all be at least half as fortunate as I've been!

I have been fortunate to have only one partner for the last 37 years. We have a very supportive relationship. She has done everything she could to enhance my life and dealt with me working all over the world and my audio obsession, even when it clashed with her aesthetic. I always tried to make her life better… expand her experiences (she is disabled) and she has always done everything in her power to make my life better.

When I think back on the women I did not choose they were in the relationship for them and not me. I think I chose wisely. We have had a really caring relationship for nearly 38 years, trying to help each other achieve their goals.

Thinking about what I have said. My advice should be clear.

Larsen loudspeakers are engineered precisely for extreme WAF problems like you have.  They sit up against the wall.  You need to have them both on the same wall of course, and an appropriate distance apart.  Don't let the wife put them on different walls.   Shoot her if she does.  No jury will convict you.