I know most of you who read my blog are ladies (and thanks so much for the guys that follow along too!), so a lot of the time we focus on girly stuff and the things WE want to see. But today let’s throw a bone to the guys in our lives. Hopefully none of you making your guy sleep in pink ruffled sheets. But I’ve come across the issue in my own house-how to decorate in a style that a guy AND a gal can live in peacefully. Whether the guy in your life needs a Man Cave, a Home Office, or you are just looking for a style that has a masculine edge to it, you are going to love today’s Mood Board!
And if you have a single guy in your life whose bachelor pad needs a major makeover, pass this on to him-all he has to do is follow the steps. Let’s all say it together….no more futons.
Modern Meets Masculine Living Room
I recently designed this Mood Board for a one bedroom home near downtown Chicago, and I played around with adding some masculine touches to a sleek, modern design. I’m a girly girl through and through and I would still feel very at home in this modern space, with some fun touches of whimsy (a bulldog in full military regalia, that HAS to make you smile, right?!). Today’s Real Postbox Project is a bit different from styles I often do for clients, so I hope you have as much fun as I did looking for ways to incorporate something new and different into your Living Room.
I could see my hubby hanging out on this yellow wingback with a glass of scotch, and our pup at his feet. If you want to add in some more masculine pieces into your room, go for dark, rich colors like blacks, grays, browns, yellows, and greens. Geometric prints like this black geo pillow and this plaid rug work well too. So your room doesn’t get to look too heavy and dark, pair up heavier pieces like this TV console table with airier, glam pieces like this marble and gold side table.
I had tons of fun with this space and adding some whimsy like a smoking bison and this banana print pillow, but you can take it down a notch and try a striped pillow or buffalo plaid. To keep this style modern but warm, this gray West Elm sofa and acrylic coffee table keep the space looking sleek. And this large yellow wingback chair? It’s from I-K-E-A. Oh yes.
But my favorite piece is this coffee table cutie-a balloon animal paper weight-I want one of these BAD. Put him on this wood, leather, and gold tray and a stack of vintage looking books (if you pull the dust jackets off books you already own, you will be shocked how many are coffee table worthy!)
And what about the Master Bedroom?
This Postbox Project had a single bedroom, so I had to fit a lot of design into a small space. I love using an extra tall upholstered headboard in ANY space, but using this graphite colored one with subtle tufting works well for either gender. Pile it up with lots of crisp white bedding, then top it off with this single Target faux leather lumbar pillow. To layer on some color and pattern, I fell hard for this Army style swiss cross blanket. Bronze side tables with these Target schoolhouse lights are handsome and practical.
What type of artwork keeps up the masculine vibe without being too foufou? I had to smile when I saw this bear in a tophat on Society 6, as some tongue-in-cheek design humor. But you can also try these dark schematic drawings-frame of trio of tools, machines, or household gadgets. You can frame them, or do a sophisticated twist on the old dorm room pushpins. Tack the drawings to the wall with simple gold thumbtacks (also great for renters).
If you can use a roller, you can do this wall treatment.
And for the easiest wall treatment that needs NO crafty thumb, try this: Divide your wall in half from opposite corners so that you have a 45 degree angle. Put one piece of painters tape on the angle. Now you have two triangles. Leave one triangle bare and paint the other this deep Benjamin Moore “Hale Navy”. Done.
Love this Masculine Decor Look? Wanna see more?
Then you might also love this real Postbox Project Masculine Living Room + Office Makeover
Or How to Create a Masculine Home Office
So now the design inspiration is rolling, but where can you load up on more free design ideas? Oh, I’m SO glad you asked! We can hang out together on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, or check out boards for every room of your home and pin away over on PINTEREST. All free, 100% social, and 100% design all the time.
Until next week!
Kristin
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