Decorating and design ideas with men in mind. Part 2 of 3.

Part 2 of our “manly” decorating. Yesterday I showed you my living spaces that I called in help for. I needed some decorating and design ideas to make that space more “manly”. Today I’m going to share with you some of those fabulous tips I was given.

Here are some of the questions I asked the fabulous bloggers…

Question 1. When decorating with the boys in your home in mind what is one thing that you avoid as much as possible. Like colors, patterns, or textures?
Question 2. What is the quickest way to add manliness to a room?
Question 3. Is there a way to take the feminine accessories (like pillows, vases, pictures) and make them more masculine?

First up I want to share what Melissa from No 2. Pencil gave as the answers to my questions.

 

I don’t intentionally avoid specific colors or patterns, but I do naturally steer toward bolder colors and graphic patterns. I think you can decorate with pink if you keep it fresh and bold!

Quickly incorporate manliness into a room with metal accessories. I love this idea because it fits any budget! Last year, we updated our dining room with bright red metal chairs and I absolutely love the industrial vibe.

We also use galvanized metal bins for storage, instead of wicker
baskets. You can find those for great prices at hardware supply stores.

I absolutely love graphic patterns on pillows. Patterns like stripes, chevron and greek key can compliment any decor. Pillows are really a must, even husbands and boys like to be comfy!

I love to see feminine and masculine pieces displayed together. Combine a pretty picture frame and a stack a vintage books, or display an intricate vase on top of a real wood slice.

Hmmm…bolder colors and graphic patterns? Metal accessories? Let’s see how I’m doing with that…

Yep, not so well.

Debbie from Debbie-doo’s had some fabulous advice for me as well. (I hope she says grey and pink is manly!)

Answer 1. I avoid too many pillows, honestly, they wind up on the floor most of the time.

Answer 2. A touch of burlap, and a man’s scented candle like, clove, or patchouli scent.

Answer 3. I would say with the pillows, and vases, add some twine and perhaps some rustic elements in the vases, like sticks.

My hubs and I are avid antique collectors, so alot of what is on our room has been chosen together, there is a lot of both of us. If your husband has a hobby, like music, sports, try to incorporate just a touch of it, without it being over kill or theme like. Simple music sheets in a picture frame, or his favorite football down by the fireplace. I think you can really combine all these elements of family for all of you once you start thinking of your personalities.

Not too many pillows. Touch of burlap or manly smell. Twine and sticks. Hmmm….

Well, at least there is a stick above the window. (I have to admit I added more pillows since this photo). Burlap…twine? Not a bit in sight. Oh boy.

Here is what the fabulous Ashley from Domestic Imperfection had to say about girly decorating…

I think that having a decorated room in general is feminine. I mean, think about it…have you ever been into a bachelor pad that was actually decorated? (Having neon beer signs and posters of sports/women/movies/video games does not count as decorated.) Lets just take one thing that is probably didn’t even think twice about needing…curtains. A single man would never put up curtains. Men do mini blinds…curtains are for us ladies. So when your decorating your home I think we have to try extra hard to add manly touches, simply because the very fact that it is thoughtfully decorated makes it feminine. Normally I would say good things to stay away from would floral patters, pink, and ruffles, but I’m looking around my (fairly masculine) living room and I happen to have all three of those. I say you can get away with anything in moderation!

I think the quickest way to add manliness to a room is to add wood. Wooden decor, wooden furniture, wooden anything. Wood is manly. I figured I should ask my husbands opinion on the matter, since he’s, you know…a man….and he happens to be conveniently sitting right here next to me. Here are his words of wisdom. “Yeah, wood is manly, so is metal. Fabric is girly. Solid colors are manly. Patterns are girly. Avoid still life pictures or paintings of flowers at all costs.” Haha…there you have it, straight from the horses mouth.

After all that talk you’d probably like to see some pictures of my living room, so here it is (so far)…

Okay, not too many floral patterns, ruffles, and pink. And have lots of wood! Let’s see…

There was at least a  little wood with the coffee table!! Yay me!

And here is what the oh so wonderful Melissa from The Happier Homemaker had to say…

1. Unfortunately for me the Shabby Chic or French Country look isn’t going to fly with my house…I have three boys under 7 so all that beautiful white is out! I also avoid anything overly ruffled or lace. In general I go for a traditional look to my home with lots of neutrals. I try to create a timeless “canvas” that I can update and decorate with accessories.

I have to be very careful to make sure that the things in my home won’t be ruined by daily life-white carpet/furniture is an example. I try to choose patterned fabrics for my pillows to disguise any stains they’ll inevitably get!

2. I think the quickest way to make a room more masculine is to add wood, leather, or other “heavy” items. Metal can add masculinity as well. We have dark wood floors and a lot of darker wood furniture. I keep our curtains lights decor accents light to counter all the heaviness of the wood and darker furniture.

3. Pillows are always easily transformed with covers. And vases and frames can be painted if they need a change. I personally like to keep my rooms more neutral and masculine and add touches of color/pattern with my pillows. Changing pillow covers regularly also keeps me from getting bored with the neutrality of my space and lets me add some personality to our rooms.

(A picture of Melissa’s Living Room)

Stay away from white. Use heavy items and use neutral patterns. Got it. Let’s see…