diff --git a/src/prefs/appearance/Decorator.cpp b/src/prefs/appearance/Decorator.cpp
index d7442c4ff4..2c47579938 100644
--- a/src/prefs/appearance/Decorator.cpp
+++ b/src/prefs/appearance/Decorator.cpp
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ Decorator::Decorator(BRect rect, int32 wlook, int32 wfeel, int32 wflags)
 	_minimize_state=false;
 	_zoom_state=false;
 	_has_focus=false;
-	_title_string=new BString("");
+	_title_string=new BString;
 	_driver=NULL;
 	
 	_closerect.Set(0,0,1,1);
@@ -551,3 +551,13 @@ click_type Decorator::Clicked(BPoint pt, int32 buttons, int32 modifiers)
 	return CLICK_NONE;
 }
 
+//! Hook function called when the decorator changes focus
+void Decorator::_SetFocus(void)
+{
+}
+
+//! Function for calculating layout for the decorator
+void Decorator::_DoLayout(void)
+{
+	
+}
diff --git a/src/prefs/appearance/Decorator.h b/src/prefs/appearance/Decorator.h
index e4f71757f8..82aaf070ad 100644
--- a/src/prefs/appearance/Decorator.h
+++ b/src/prefs/appearance/Decorator.h
@@ -108,8 +108,8 @@ protected:
 	virtual void _DrawTab(BRect r);
 	virtual void _DrawTitle(BRect r);
 	virtual void _DrawZoom(BRect r);
-	virtual void _SetFocus(void)=0;
-	virtual void _DoLayout(void)=0;
+	virtual void _SetFocus(void);
+	virtual void _DoLayout(void);
 	virtual void _SetColors(void);
 	
 	ColorSet *_colors;