I'd kill anyone that made my house turn into that.
I've been guilt of it, the wife is VERY guilty of leaving her crap around the house. Then I started just shoving her crap into her office. Now she has to deal with it.
I second the flowers bit, they are worth at least three gripe free brew days. My wife does not like it when I brew, I take over the kitchen for too long. Flowers work well but it also helps if I keep my addiction out of site. I'd sort something out in the basement and she'd probably be happier. I can't leave my BYO or Zymurgy magazines around, "The kids don't need to see your obsession with beer." That's the line I hear most often.