Manly decorating
 

Okay, I'm not sure where this should go, but if any mod knows a better place, then by all means.. Anyway my question is this.. I have just moved into a new aptment. fairly new construction and I am the only one living here. I don't have alot of "stuff" for decorating, although I'm aquiring more more. I want to give my space, specifically the living room, some personality. I have added some art and posters to the walls along with the furniture, but one thing is buggin me yet... Curtains. yup. the windows are virtually naked and need something. My main concern is choosing something that will give off a "manly" feel, so i'm thinking silkly, flowering, frilly curtains are out. does anybody have any suggestions for something such as this? even a website with said suggestions? What do you guys like to give a space some masulinity? Thanks for any help!

Justin

All of the "window treatments" (there, that sounds more manly, doesn't it? 'Treatments'; the windows have a disease, and I'm here to cure it!) in our house were ordered from Smith+Noble. The pricing is good, and they'll send you material swatches so you can check the stuff out before you purchase it. The pricing is good, and it is custom-built to the quarter inch, so it fits exactly.

Camo netting. But only if you actually kill stuff on a regular basis.

Wood blinds.

OOo yeah with the wood.... he ehee I said wood...

Anyway, in my love nest, we've got these neat bamboo blinds I picked up from World Market for really really cheap(I mean like, $10 a shade cheap)- and they look all ethnic and cool and hip. It'd be a great excuse to make your living room into a Tiki bar!!!

Places like Pier 1 Imports also have unique, and not overtly feminine accessories for your apartment.

Anything in a heavier fabric, draperies wise, will give a more masculine feel, and also good for blocking light (and heat in the summer and keeping it warmer in the winter) try a lined raw silk, or even a burlappy type fabric.

since you seem to want to be going with a more adult feel, if you are looking at window furnishings that is, frame the posters and art on the walls, don't just slap up a poster with tape... any poster will look better if it's framed...

Tab top curtains are nice and casual and they don't bunch at the top so there's no "frilly" look about them. Look for something in cotton, linen, canvas, etc.:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...sin=B0001DRH34

Edit: here are some other resources for "manly decorating:"

http://interiordec.about.com/od/guydecor/

I find that one thing that tends to differentiate "manly" decorating from more feminine looks is stuff or clutter. Not to say women have cluttered places, but I find that clean, minimalist things tend to have more inherent masculinity than say, a country clutter type look.

Try to find simple, striking window treatments. This doesn't mean it can't be dramatic and stunning, just less gathers, ruffles, pleats, etc.

I'd second the recommendations for wooden shades and tab-tops. Also, check into a nice neutral Roman shade or the cellular blinds (when down, the material forms small "cells" that collapse as the blind is pulled up). Simple, visually appealing, and very effecient at insulation.

Try looking at target.com. If you need some more ideas, pick up some modern design mags like Readymade, Dwell, or *Wallpaper.