Welcome to day 12 of our series 31 Days to a Better Dressed Nest. I'm so glad you are here.
I am the only girl in my house. I've got 3 boys and a manly husband and they all own guns of various types, shapes and sizes. They are manly. And I am girly.
For the first 10 years of our marriage our house was quite plain and masculine. Leather sofa, canvas drapes and neutral colors. I loved it.
Then we slowly changed over and added more color and pattern. Before I knew it our house was full of toile and pillows and painted pieces. A few months ago I started thinking about our home--ok, so I'm always thinking about our home. It's quite pretty to me. And I'm afraid it leans a little too girly. See that lovely bunny, the one with wings? Two years ago it hung in our bedroom. I know. My poor husband. One day I realized how feminine it was and asked my husband if it bothered him and he said 'not at all'. He's nice like that. Or nonobservant.
I still love all my pretties but I blame some of my girly decor leaking out every where on the fact that I do not have a daughter.
And look at our current bedding. I adore it, but I feel it's entirely too ladyish. For now I took off the duvet and I'm using the chocolate brown comforter underneath. I think our room needs to change from cutesy to sexy. And I have no idea how I'm gonna pull that off for virtually no money but I'll keep you informed.
It doesn't take much to let the guys in on the fun. I'm trying to be more aware of making sure the stuff in our home represents all who live here. Does that mean no toile sofa and not pretty painted armoire? No way. But, there are a few ways I've found to help man up some of our rooms.
Here's some ways I've made our rooms a little more manly, or at least things I'm planning to implement
- Plaid and houndstooth fabrics
- Black furniture
- Wood finishes
- I'd LOVE to find a big nice leather chair for my husband
- Display the guitar
- Mount the 100 year old beautiful shotgun on the wall
Make room for their stuff: I love a pair of dirty man boots outside the front door on the porch.
Does your house lean more masculine or feminine?
86 comments:
My man would love that part about the big leather chair. Now that we're knocking out a wall, perhaps we'll actually have room for one. I think my house leans towards masculine. But perhaps that's just because I like straight lines and black and white stuff. I'll have to ask the man about that...
what inspiration... and perspective... thank you for this... the photos are so great... I need visuals and you're so good about that... thanks! ~ kim
My husband could relate to you, he lives in a house full of girls. He doesn't seem to mind it though and loves being surrounded by all his "girly girls." He actually shows me more feminine fabrics, because he just doesn't mind what I do. We're talking about a man who built me a surprise garden bench with a big old crown in the middle. Yeah, we're a girly house, but he loves being surrounded by us.
I would say my house is a nice balance. It was actually more masculine until I started reading your blog :) But the touch of feminine really adds warmth so I am happy.
Also, I would really love to see what you do with the old shotgun on the wall. If you show me how to make that look good my husband would name me wife of the year! lol
The one room that bothers me and is across between girlish/grannyish is our bedroom. The floral bedding and scalloped window treatments are going! The purple walls too! Thankfully, my Hubby doesn't mind, but I do. It's on my next room project once I stay on task and finish our bathroom.
I think my house is a pretty good balance, or at least it has been. I have a lot of "new" stuff I'm pulling out when we move, so I'll have to see if that tips the scale to more feminine.
3 boys and 2 girls in this place. My husband has simply requested that there be no floral in the bedroom. {As for your bedroom being more sexy than cutesy...girl, you be the sexy and the rest of the room will fall in line I'm sure.} I've decided that since my husband has put two regulation cups and flags in our backyard and mowed fairways, the inside of the house can lean just a bit on the girly side.
I'm loving this series! I'm just sad that the home-educating and unending domestic tasks have completely overshadowed any home improvement projects for right now. My only decorating is getting the laundry folded so that you can sit down somewhere.
Hi There Ms. Nester, Something I did to "sexy up" our bedroom: I pulled the closet doors off and replaced them with some panels hanging from a tension rod. Well, actually they are shower curtains because I liked those best at the Target ha ha! I couldn't believe how much it changed the room. I think you could call the fabric manly too! The hubs loves it so if you haven't already, maybe give that a try.
Love your blog!
- Becky
We have more girls than boys at our house (3 to 2 ratio) but I think we are not so feminine here -- mainly because I myself am not a frou-frou person. I get twitchy in rooms that are overly full of tchotchkes and lace, so I strive for a cleaner, leaner look. I think all the clutter kids generate has pushed me hard in this direction. Also, I have kids who just wreck knickknacks. I once had a girlfriend who had a large and beautiful collection of silver perfume bottles and pill boxes that she displayed on a table in her entryway. Right on the tabletop. Where short people could reach it. It was lovely and it would have lasted 30 second at my house. I spent the entire playdate at her house throwing my body between my toddler and thos pretties.
For sure girly. My family room leans toward what I imagine my great grandmothers parlor would look like. But he says he doesn't care either way. His office is decked out in BYU blue (go Cougs!) with blown up pictures of his 57 plymouth, so he has a place to go. Plus, I change my mind so much, and with that the decor, that I don't think he considers anything permanent anyway. I'm loving the 31 days by the way, I'm learning tons. Thank you!
Amy, I love the idea of him having his own space to make it all man all the time--great solution!
I too live in a house of men (2 boys 1 hub), and am verrrry girly-girly. I think there def. has to be a balance so that everyone feels comfy in the house. I have toile and other "sweet" fabrics and ribbon in various locations, but it is mostly just hits of it - except MY office which is my space 100%. And my, er, I mean OUR bedroom is done in shades of yellow and beige, but the furniture is black and I have hits of black and white throughout, giving it a more neutral tone. My boys rooms are very boyish, but also, IMO, stylish and cute. But they are 5 and 2 and I know one day they will be begging for a Transformers comforter and I don't know how I'll cope with that...
mornin'!! Our home style is kinda cabin-y rustic. Cool wood ceilings, stone fireplace, etc....so the bones are rather masculine....so I'm trying to do the opposite - interject more feminine lightness here & there. It's all a balance isn't it? I'm sure as I continue posting on this new blog of mine that you'll see more glimpses of soft girly-ness! happy autumn to you! http://northerncottage.blogspot.com/
Hum...I think our house is a nice balance, though probably tending towards the more feminine recently in areas. We have a 50/50 mix (m+f)and I think it shows. I am drawn towards strong lines so that keeps the decor in check!
Wonderful post! Janell
I think the warmth and home like atmosphere...making it a pleasant place to be is what your boys will remember! They will be sweet memories in midst of toile and flowers.
I bet they will find a {wife} just like mom who loves toile!
My husband doesn't care as long as their is comfort among the fringe!
sandy toe
First, where is the bunny now?! I love that bunny!! I love feminine and don't mind if some decorating is impractical. My husband is all about practicallity and utility so there has to be a balance. I do make sure that his interests are on display even if it means I have to stretch when it comes to decorating. Military models and Corvair cars would not be on the top of my list of decorating items but they are important to my other half.
I love casual/cabin type looks and I love to decorate with instruments, (even the amps) and books - so all of that seems to lean more toward a masculine look. What is fun is how much my three boys love when I have fresh flowers on the table!
Our bedroom has a lot of brown/off white colors and decorated with "leaves and trees" type art work - not flowers and toile but no antlers haning off the wall either :)
I can't wait to see what you do in your *sexy* bedroom. My after Christmas project is my bedroom. It is actually the only room in the house that hasn't been redone....that and our bathroom. Somehow I always put us last, and I want to change that. I love pink but I don't incorporate that into home decor. I wear it to fulfill my girly needs. I do love clutter free, and though hubby leans toward being messy, he loves any space as long as I keep it clean!
My home is TOTALLY girly owning to the fact that I'm not married... yet. But I would GLADLY make it more masculine!!
Ha! I would like my home to be just decorated period! *ahem* But these tips are fabulous. Thanks so much!
Like you, I also have 3 boyz. My Trenches are utterly masculine, much to my chagrin. But I'm scared to pretty it up in fear that my things will get ruined!
ehh I think it leans a little more towards a womans touch ;) he did have a game room but I slowly infused myself in there too. Kind of sad when I think about it. Although I think as long as I leave is leather recliner and his flat screen something tells me he won't complain! ;)
I love your blog, love your decorating. However, one sentence in your post really speaks to me. I too want to take my house from cutesy to sexy. I think it's easy for my house to become too cutesy. I really want sophisticated and yes, sexy. Our children are older, so I don't have many fingerprint worries anymore. I'm also a little afraid of going to far and having my space be too, stark. I look forward to seeing how you incorporate this new look in your home.
Being surrounded by 5 boys plus my DH my house is miraculously balanced. I think it is because I like strong clean lines and easily cleaned(leather) furniture with a touch of softness. I do dream of having a room that is totally girly though.
I so understand on trying to balance. I have three boys, and not yet a daughter. But Lord willing we hope one day. I try to balance it out with big heavy crocks, and neutral pottery. Also with more darker and lighter blues together. And I have an old antique stained truck for a coffee table, and try to use more black classic accents. Like the large pub mirror.
blessings to you, Fine Linen
I raised two sons and now live alone. My house is very feminine. Quilts hanging on the walls, lots of pinks and rose colors, curtains with lace trim and a star and angel hanging from the corner post of my 4-poster bed. I think it would make a man run screaming into the night!
I'm married to a very manly-man also - he happens to be a hunter, and yes we have dead things on the wall. I feel like I've found a balance between the girly and masculine in our house. I have leather sofas, pictures of art that he likes - geese, pheasants and even antlers on our living room wall. The walls are also painted a rich light mocha color. The girly comes in with my pretty plaid curtains, some fun accessories and small flower arrangements. Perhaps it looks like a hodge podge of me trying too hard to blend it, but I like to think it's somewhat balanced. (o:
There are seven of us in this house--four girls, 3 boys (and 5 of those are under the age of 10). I'm striving for a more neutral, 'adult' look in the front, more public areas of the house, to include DH's office, the kitchen, dining room, family room, and probably the schoolroom/library. Right now, I'm working on two rooms (not full time, unfortunately, lol). My bedroom and the family room. I finally found the fabric for the bedroom/bathroom valances--a feminine print--kind of a floral damask/brocade in several colors, I'm afraid--but I'm only doing valances in that. I'm planning on using a stripe and solids on the rest of the room. Blue walls, a raspberry red desk for me, an ivory bed...I'm torn on the bedding. I'm thinking a solid yellow, with stripe accents...we'll see. Since we only sleep in there right now, and don't have sitting areas, or a television, it isn't some place either of us spends a lot of awake time...
But I've been making a concerted effort to not over girly the things I am planning on doing, and to make sure not to make it some floral cottage fantasy I might go with were I the single cat lady librarian I could easily be had life ended up a bit different. LOL.
Thanks for the reminder and encouragement--that I'm not the only one who has 'issues' with the whole gender balance thing...
Definitely masculine. Like you, I have four manly men here and then little old me. The truth is, though, that MY tastes run more to the masculine. Never have liked pink. Love greens and browns. I think that has more to do with being a redhead than anything else. But I'm also drawn to leather and stripes and plaids and houndstooth more than to florals.
As I've gotten older, I've gone considerably more feminine with my clothing--I almost never wear anything mannish. I guess I get my girly fix that way.
I'm loving this month of having a fresh dose of Nester every day. :)
Our house is undecorated because we're in the middle of renovating...but if dh had his way the whole house would be red & stripes of some kind. Luckily we haven't had to jump that hurdle...yet, but we do have to walk around a humungous leather sectional couch in the tiny living room that dh coveted and fixed an attic for.
Oh my house is probably more girlie than manly too. I try to keep a decent balance- we have lots of wood tones, gender neutral colors, etc but the decorating aspect totally falls to me because as my husband puts it, he likes whats functional and that's about as far as his opinion goes unless he completely detests something.
I try pretty hard to keep our house from leaning too feminine. One thing I think works is denim. We have a denim bedskirt and euroshams on our bed. Kind of like when you dress down a frilly shirt with your jeans! :)
I'm in a house full of boys too. My problem is, I tend to go towards the masculine. I've taken a room for myself, painted it pink and am ready to doll it up with doilies and tea cups (ok, maybe not THAT girlie!) I love that you have romance in your rooms. I need to find a little of that!
Like you, I'm the only female in a house of men. I get my girlie fix through sewing and my etsy shop, and until recently, our house was more masculine than I wanted it to be. I was TOO aware of making them all comfortable to the point it didn't feel like "me" anymore. Since this summer, I've been in the process of neutering it ... adding softer touches, but still boy-friendly and still "me." I figure that I'm doing their future spouses a favor.
Another great post.
Just a thought about the MBR -- My friend hung sari like fabric behind the head of her bed. It looks very exotic and sexy. There is some Zari detail to it, too which shimmers a bit in the light.
Thanks for posting every day!
I can totally relate to you! I have 2 boys and a manly Husband..that is also so sweet to let me decorate our home girly {which I too blame on us not having a daughter}. Our movie room I tried really hard to keep it manly.. choco. brown, khaki, dark furniture... Your home is adorable! I love what you did in your room.. I think I can tell which side is the "manly side" :)
Have a blessed day!
I've got two daughters and no sons...so you'd think it'd be more feminine BUT the majority of the house is masculine. There are very few (if any?) frills in my house. Now...my daughters' bedrooms are certainly more girly but no over the top. I'd like to introduce more "feminine" pieces (like painting a few pieces of furniture). We'll see!
Great post. My husband likes to have a say in the decor of our home and gets a little antsy when I start telling him ideas that seem a bit too feminine. I love your ideas on adding a masculine touch to your home. I too live among all boys---the hubby, the son and the dog---and although I want my home to be a reflection of my likes and preferences I need to remember that I'm not the only one who lives here. Thanks for this post. I am loving this series!
-Grace
Oooh---good question! I think ours is pretty well-balanced. My hubby has the dark leather couch and chair/ottoman he wanted in the Living room. Lots of dark-stained wood pieces in there. I draw the line at animal heads and soccer posters though. Come on, dude, you're 30!!!
I think our master bedroom needs to not only be decluttered, but also completely redone with a new color (like, really any color on the wall would do--they're bare!) and something more grown-up....
Your series is fantastic. What great work you are doing... unfortunately for my hubby, it leans feminine. Not too feminine but still girly.
Keep up the good work...
Cynthia
My house doesn't lean either way, but I love the houndstooth pillow! Good luck on your bedroom re-do.
For a couple years during our marriage, I went hog-wild with the Shabby Chic stuff and finally I calmed down enough to realize - I am the only female in a house of boys. How unfair it was for them to put up with all my frilly, girlie junk. So, for the last few years I've been paring it down, simplifying and keeping it basic, but funky, because I have to have a little funkiness in there. :) But, this is also why I will never have the pink and chocolate colored kitchen of my dreams. :)
As a teaparty mommy with 4 guys in the house, I've chosen to surround our home with feminine fragile items I love. (the boys have broken so many that I have a mosaic-topped table with just blue and white dish pieces they've broken). But with that said, I KNOW it's important to my husband to have "representation." He's made a huge deal over the last 15 years about the needlepoint old fashioned Harley-Davidson sofa pillows we have. He's proud to have them around, so even though a microscope would reveal scientific nastiness, they're staying put. Also, I know it's not feasible for most of us, but miraculously we finally have a home with a designated "man room." It's groovy with plaid carpet, dark panelling, and an imaginary pool table in Rat Pack style. Since we can't afford that pool table yet, we set things (like the drum set, tacky antlers, the metal gun safe, etc)in there with the expectancy of "some day." I've seen people do this with their garage or an office. It's important that the homemaker makes the home feel warm and welcoming without putting the man's stuff in the backyard trash pile!
I like the Shabby Chic style and used to have it in my family room. I moved it all to the bedroom. I live w/my husband and 3 sons. It seemed a happy compromise.
I have had many looks for the bedroom including a big picture of a knight and lady with sconces and fabric draped over them. That was masculine and I hated it.
My man never complains as long as he has his office the way he likes.
I would love to get my hands on a black leather chair, too! My man would go hog-wild over this.
At our previous house, we had an extra huge laundry room. This room became affectionately known as "The Man Cave." It had a recliner, bookshelf, dart board, and various other manly things. My man was never one to hide out in there, but it was a great little space that was just his. He could do his devotions down there as well as play darts with some of his buds.
Thanks for more great inspiration! Awesome stuff!
Great post and good question! The two rooms we like never use ~ the living room and dining room have more of a feminine touch to them. I most likely did that when I realized no one but me was going into the rooms. I have to say I think I'm kind of gender neutral when it comes to our great room/den and family room {where we are really cozy, comfy with the TV}. I like to think our master bedroom is, too, because I don't have frills, specific feminine colors or patterns, and we are very light on "stuff" in this room. So, I'll have to say 50-50. My husband says he doesn't care either, but he loves the compliments from visitors!
As my home is my domain, it will reflect who I am -- my tastes, my styles. My husband likes it that way because he loves me and wants to be surrounded by expressions of me. As Dr. Phil said several years ago when his show had this topic (not quoting verbatim here), "I don't care how my wife decorates our bedroom; I'm just glad I get to share it with her." That said, as I look around my family room, it could not express my husband more with having two HUGE Ali boxing memorabilia collages. LOL
my house leans towards BLAH.
Actually right now I'd say it leans more toward masculine: expresso leather, plain walls, ... yeah, it's blah.
Hubby is pretty open-minded when it comes to decor, colors, etc. I just can't make decisions!
I think I'd like it to lean masculine with little pops of prettiness here and there. But not prissy prettiness: more modern, fun touches of color or pattern.
my house leans towards BLAH.
Actually right now I'd say it leans more toward masculine: expresso leather, plain walls, ... yeah, it's blah.
Hubby is pretty open-minded when it comes to decor, colors, etc. I just can't make decisions!
I think I'd like it to lean masculine with little pops of prettiness here and there. But not prissy prettiness: more modern, fun touches of color or pattern.
Right now, our house leans heavily androgynous. And that's just being kind. Really, our house looks as if no human lives in it...it's *that* plain.
It's a huge goal I plan to accomplish with the new house. I want our home to look like us! And that includes two boys and two girls, so I'll be trying my best to include masculine flavors with my girlish pretties...
My house is getting more feminine. However, it spent years being masculine, so I think it is ok for now. Although, if my daughters had their way, the entire house would be pink and lace. That would be a little much for even me, so I have to hold them back. The boys like the florals. I try not to do too many. And I got my husbands ok on our comforter, which is a blue comforter with flowers. Very pretty. But we don't change out comforters too often, so he had to help decide. I think he likes it. Or, he is incredibly nonobservant and apathetic. Either way, they seem happy!! ;0)
My house is getting more feminine. However, it spent years being masculine, so I think it is ok for now. Although, if my daughters had their way, the entire house would be pink and lace. That would be a little much for even me, so I have to hold them back. The boys like the florals. I try not to do too many. And I got my husbands ok on our comforter, which is a blue comforter with flowers. Very pretty. But we don't change out comforters too often, so he had to help decide. I think he likes it. Or, he is incredibly nonobservant and apathetic. Either way, they seem happy!! ;0)
I wouldn't say that mine is "Girlie" or "man-ish" I hope its more neutral.
I have boys and girls so I feel so lucky to be able to decorate REALLY girle rooms and well I have to admit that decorating a teenage boys room is lacking luster!
This is a link to the view of my living room from above.
Love your site- your a decorating genius!
http://jackspratandhiswife.blogspot.com/2009/05/kellys-corner-linky-party-living-room.html
I have been dealing with this very issue for almost all of my married life (29 years). During the 80's I latched onto a modified Colonial look, which suited both of us. Now I'm leaning in a more casual traditional style. My hubby laid down the law years ago - no florals. I've tried to stick to that, but did sneak in some valences for a while.
I've noticed that he prefers straight, crisp lines, while I will go for curves every time.
Good luck on finding the balance.
Mary Lou
I also am the only girl in my house of three men. Guns, guitars, toilet seats always in the "up" position....
Our decor is pretty neutral. I do draw the line at mounting a gun though. Guns and animal heads.
Ha, two boys and Hunter here. lol. I think we lean toward masculine myself and I'm trying to insert a little feminine in here. It's hard though. I'm terrible at makin decisions and and I have decorating-low-self-esteem. It's true. But, I'm slowly incorporating more of "me" into the place, even though I'm not terribly girly. Since we're both fairly "simple" in how we want our house, I'm focusing on warm and comfortable rather than cute and frilly. Rustic charming farmhouse is what I dream of and will one day achieve! When I figure out what that is exactly.
I have been thinking about a gun on the wall too. Heck, it would match the deer head and deer picture on the wall, right???
I have to tell this though...we decided to do our boys' room in a lodgy theme. I wanted to buy one of those toy-stuffed deer heads to put on the wall...Hunter brought up one of his real deer head and hung it up. Kids LOVE it. hahahaha. Frugal I guess, if you consider how much he spent on it 10 years ago! Add the toy-stuffed bear rug and plaid comforters and its coming along.
When we moved in our house my husband's only two requests were: that he loved the yard and he had to have a room "of his own". So, I chose a beautiful mocha color for the walls and a microsuede chair and ottoman and put the bookcases and enormous computer armoire in "the office."
Did he EVER use the room? Half a dozen times maybe.
Our house is not very girly or real manly. Mostly neutral except the kids' rooms.
I'm VERY tempted to take over "his room" for MYself, though! Pale pinks and soft blues with some orange accents! Yum! But then I remember that one of our 3 boys will probably want that room to themselves soon so I'll wait until some of these children move out.
I too am the only girl, and my boys are manly. I've been adding more feminine touches like vases filled with dried flowers, but overall I think the house is pretty neutral. I don't have any flowery patterns in the furniture or even patterned throw pillows. We are redoing our bedroom, and it's going from completely mismatched (with paisley curtains) to a much more sedate, neutral color. Either way, I don't think it will be too feminine or masculine. I wish I had a room that I could make girly, but that'll have to wait till my boys go off to college in 8 or so years. Then I plan to reclaim a bedroom as a craft room, and I'll really make it mine.
By the way, I can't tell you how completely inspiring your blog is. I am doing things I never would have done (making simple household repairs and painting things!) before. I'm loving every second of it. Keep up the beautiful blog and know that you are truly an inspiration.
my husband was away for the weekend and can I just say... I moved things, painted things, added molding and, well lets just say, I am up to date on my 31 days so far!!! love it, looking forward to tomorrow.
Masculine, part of the way.
You hang that gun, girl! :))
I'm afraid I have the opposite problem. Lots of big old pieces of timber furniture. Its quite masculine, I'm trying to pretty it up. Moved some furniture around yesterday and feel good about it.
IMHO, your home is not really girly...but I understand what you're saying here. :-) I'd love to make my bedroom over and yes, have the 'sexy' part too. Please let me know what you decide to do...maybe I can get some great ideas!
Ha! Who says guitars are masculine? We've got two guitarists in our family and we are both girls. Of course, if I had to describe our decor, "goofy" or "wacky" would serve best, though it's definitely not really too girly. Vintage payphone on the wall in the kitchen, antique fencing gear over the piano, two guitars and an amp, and a big birdcage in one corner of the living room (housing a live bird, mind you). I admire pulled-together, more thoughtfully decorated houses, but ours is more like the Olde Curiosity Shoppe. Come to think of it, what we could really use is a little taxidermy...
Nester, don't shoot me with that 100-year-old gun, but you could ALWAYS have another baby. Maybe make it a girl this time ;)
{like you have any control!}
xo
Gussy
I've threatened a pink wall or two, but never pulled through! I try to be gender neutral, but it is so hard!
Hi Nester! I got guitars on the walls in my shabby bedroom... I LOVE THEM!
I'd say our home is feminine. However, I gave the biggest room in the house to my husband to do with as he pleases. Leather recliner, huge tv, computer, guitars, amps, drums, etc... Not one thing of mine is in there! Pure masculinity! I do try to keep it simple for him though, no fussy cushions in the chairs for eating and no pillows all over the couch. I don't think he even cares about the rest of the house. I think he is proud of it actually.
I also live with 3 men (well one man and two well on their way). My husband is also tolerant to my decorating, or more likely oblivious. Fortunately for them though, I love a prairie pretty look. Some softness and lots of more rustic elements. And black, lots of black.
what about taking a room and making it a "man cave". do you have a room you could do that too, bonus room? I gave my husband the formal living room as his man cave. He's got great taste and a total neat freak, so that helps it be a great room! But, it is all his. I have no daughters either so I feel your "pain"!
i love your home with all the testoterone...my little Lincoln would want to live with your boys and their guns. you are so awesome!
I feel your pain! I am a fellow mom of 3 boys married to a coach. I have a dance degree. Can you tell where this is going? lol! I have a difficult time balancing my need for "pretties" and my desire to make our home comfortable to my men. Thanks for this post!
I feel your pain! I am a fellow mom of 3 boys married to a coach. I have a dance degree. Can you tell where this is going? lol! I have a difficult time balancing my need for "pretties" and my desire to make our home comfortable to my men. Thanks for this post!
I would take down all the plates over the bed...too much of a hazard in case of an earthquake. (I don't live in California any more but I shudder to think of all the earthquakes I experienced.)
I'm trying to take my home back from my kids! right now it's 75/25. the kids rule!!!
I am also the only lady in my house. A manly husband and 2 sons... so I can def relate.
But, I waver from feminine to neutral a lot. When we move, I will be going more neutral as a "thank you" to my non complaining husband.
I love the houndsooth fabric choise as well!
This is a great post - thanks!
Forget decorating..go make babies and don't stop till you get a daughter..go on go now..
and as for the decorating I throw in some bits n pices that will keep my hubby happy like a big brown leather sofa and then i add my girly touches to that
I had to giggle with this post because my husband is very patient with my ultra-feminine tastes. Awhile back I focused on cleaning up our bedroom and added a canopy to our four-poster bed. I worried that the boys in my household would feel pushed out of the room by this, but instead they were all drawn in to the space because it was so warm and cozy. Inspired by their reaction, the next day I hung a collection of beautiful plates above the headboard. My husband's eyes grew wide when he saw this, but I promised he would not come home the next day to find I had hung flowers from the ceiling.
The funny part came later when my husband turned off the air and told me I needed to get the AC fixed. He called a repairman, who charged us $150 and said we needed to get an electrician out here. We turned the air back on, and my husband called me in when the rattling "in the vents" started. I started giggling when I realzed the sound was not coming from above the bed but behind it. It was the springs on my plate holders!
I felt so bad for my husband standing with a repairman in our pink bedroom with floral canopy and china plates on the wall! He deserves some sort of animal head mounted on the wall, for sure!
Trust me, even if you had a daughter I bet you would still want that "girly" look. It may be worse, even. After the birth of my daughter 6 years ago it was like I couldn't get enough "girl" and it remains that way to this day even though I've had a son since (his room is very boyish, and the playroom remains neutral to his defense).
My husband says that real men don't care, as long as they have a comfy place to sit. lol
With that said, I adore your master bedroom (and ALL of your rooms for that matter. Why do you think I read every day ;) and think it is super sexy as is. I think women are the more visual ones (well when it comes to the decor anyway) so they should get all the luxury they want. I promise no man has ever said that a bedroom put him out of the mood. ;)
~Jennifer
I think our house is balanced; although it may lean to the feminine a bit more. We girls are outnumbered ~ 7 to 3! I do want people to know when they walk in our house that it is inhabited by men. :-)I try to incorporate both masculine and feminine features in our rooms, but think I have probably been most successful with it in the living room. I use black furniture ~ in every room. I LOVE black furniture!! It is sooo much more practical for a family than white! And, if you use color, I think the black blends in with the room better.
Another great post, Nester!
Oh my! what a beautiful home! I have one of those wonderful Hubby's too. He would like big bold colorful EVERYTHING. I am so shabby chic, soft, you know the type!
I did agree with him on the royal blue couch & big chair! I love those, and they work quite well with the hanging lampshade I made. Who knew?
One thing I thought of....since my husband spends most of his time at home in the bathroom (getting ready in the mornings before work ;) and in his office space....I thought I'd make those rooms a little more masculine.
Thankfully my mother in law is the girly girly decorator....so I'm nothing compared to her. So my husband things girly decor is "normal" ;)
I love that winged bunny with all my girlie heart.
I now understand why my husband keeps cringing when I want to paint furniture...wood=manly.
It's funny, I live alone but I think my house is 50/50 or perhaps even leans masculine in the common areas. Although I recently redid my bedroom and I chose a floral comforter. It was a big shift for me! Usually I'm a stripes / clean lines kind of gal.
Right on! I'm so glad you brought this up! I know a lot of guys don't care, but c'mon ladies! Especially in the bedroom let the fact that he lives there too show through.
Can you tell this is a pet peeve of mine? I know someone that has very feminine flowered wallpaper in the bedroom that they share with their husband. It just doesn't seem right!
I'm blessed with a man that doesn't particularly care, and will sleep on flowered sheets. However when I took the time to ask him I found out that he does have some preferences. I'd like my house to reflect his personality as well as mine. After all, I married him because I liked him!
I'm very feminine now that I'm divorced. But I see masculine touches as leather, dark woods (like mahogany or walnut), colors like burgundy, navy, hunter green and wide stripes or bold paisleys. Also, lots of books, and hunt prints. I guess I'm incapable of envisioning masculine beyond what a proper English library would look like ... hmmm.
I love my denim sofa and can make everything around it masculine or feminine as I please. I definitely think that window treatments and fabric content and trims make a huge difference in whether something feels masculine (tailored) or feminine (gauzy or frilly), beyond the colors and patterns used.
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