How to Joyfully Marry His and Her Styles
Do you take this beaded lampshade (leather couch, pink tile) to have and to hold? Learn how to balance tastes for a perfect style union
Houzz Contributor. I am an interior designer with a passion for modern clean spaces and timeless vintage decor which makes for a unique eye. I work in Los Angeles but offer e-design services nationally. Visit my website and my blog at http://www.veneerdesigns.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an interior designer with a passion for modern... More »
| Share: |
|
Girl finds her dream apartment and decorates it to her heart's desire: feminine, elegant, glamorous. Girl meets boy, and he hates her decor. How do you strike the right balance of feminine and masculine notes so that both members of a couple can live harmoniously?
|
by Caitlin Wilson
»
|
| Many women prefer a gender-neutral or even a traditionally masculine style, and men have a wide range of tastes, too. But what makes a room traditionally feminine? It often starts with what makes an outfit feminine — warm colors like pinks, purples and mauves; floral patterns; metallics; ruffles; curves and lots of layers. |
by Dreamy Whites
»
An all-white room tends to have a feminine feel as well — light and airy, like a sanctuary where tracked-in dirt is never even a consideration. Ornamental chandeliers and decorations add to that overall feminine mood.
In contrast, a traditionally masculine room often takes cues from men's wardrobes: browns and grays, plaids and pinstripes, boxy and straight forms.
A dark room with hues of steely gray, blues and browns automatically feels masculine. Add brown or black leather, and it's a done deal no matter how many vases of flowers you display.
A bathroom can be made very feminine with luminescent mosaic tile, peachy damask wallpaper and brushed-nickel or polished-brass ornamental plumbing fixtures.
A bathroom can be made ultramasculine with dark matte tile installed in a grid-like fashion, no patterns besides a possible bold stripe, and streamlined chrome plumbing fixtures.
|
by Caitlin Wilson
»
|
| You love the spaces you have created, but how do you compromise and make a moving-in partner feel welcomed and comfortable? You must combine the elements of both feminine and masculine to create a holistically balanced room. |
|
by Jane Kim Design
»
|
| Gentlemen, your pad looks awesome with its dark wood paneling and heavy industrial metal finishes. But if you want to show your commitment, bring in some softer touches. |
|
by Imagine Living
»
|
| Combining elements and juxtaposing them helps. For example, a neutral black and white color scheme eliminates conflict over feminine or masculine colors. A leather headboard feels masculine, but having it tufted adds curves that feminize it. Layered bedding feels feminine, but having those layers be fur makes it masculine. |
Another approach in the bedroom is going completely gender neutral, as shown here. Grays are neither feminine or masculine. The boxy headboard has rounded corners. None of the decorative accessories lean toward either gender.
by Mikel Irastorza
»
Better yet, a light and bright room like this can please both parties. Layers of exotic bohemian touches, like a fur throw and a Beni Ourain rug, may make one of you happy. The clean lines of the midcentury lighting fixtures and seating may please the other. The room reads vibrant yet relaxing.
This bathroom has the best of both worlds: stripes for one of you, a curvy pattern for the other. And medium brown beige tones for all. This tile pattern reminds me of the sidewalks at Copacabana beach; it has a vavoom factor.
In the living room, an all-white scheme leans toward feminine, but eliminating needless layers and ornamentation and keeping the furniture lines pretty boxy brings in masculine energy.
This living room initially reads gender neutral or a touch masculine, given the hard lines of the furnishings and lack of layers. But the extra-large artwork of a woman's nude form and the tulip arrangement bring in curves and feminine energy.
|
by A-Interiors LLC
»
|
| Remember, compromise is good for the state of the union. A new design scheme combining light and dark elements, boxy and curved forms, heavy metals and sparkly glass can be better than either extreme on its own. More: Decorate With Intention: The Art of Compromise 12 Tips for Happily Combining Households |
Ideabook published on Feb. 14, 2013.
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
Find Local Pros by Category:
Architects & Designers · Interior Designers & Decorators · General Contractors · Home Media Design & Installation · Landscape Architects & Designers · Kitchen & Bath Designers · Design-build Firms · Closet & Home Storage Designers · Carpet and Flooring · Fireplaces · Tile, Stone & Countertops · Specialty Contractors · Landscape Contractors
Find Local Pros by Metro Area:
Atlanta · Austin · Baltimore · Boston · Chicago · Dallas · Dc Metro · Denver · Detroit · Hawaii · Houston · Las Vegas · Los Angeles · Miami · Minneapolis · Nashville · New Orleans · New York · Philadelphia · Phoenix · Portland · Salt Lake City · San Diego · San Francisco · Seattle · St Louis
My style is rather unfeminine. I never liked ruffles, lace, skirted furniture, too many layers, and all things 'cute' - with the exception of pets. My husband's taste is quite the same. We both would choose the completely gender neutral bedroom, I think. We love simple lines and good quality that needs not be adorned. A sheepskin in a chair, a folded throw, things that are decorative AND used every day - that's our style. I know I'm lucky that we agree, not only on taste, but on most other things as well.
Btw,I don't think that large nude painting is necessarily female. And I can clearly see that the other nude in the room is not ;)
http://www.interiordesigngreensboro.com/2012/08/blinds-versus-drapes-which-window.html
http://www.interiordesigngreensboro.com/2011/02/will-i-regret-buying-leather-sofa.html
Or, you can type what you're interested in the SEARCH box....for some examples:
paint accent wall?
sectional versus sofa?
hang flat screen?
Often you can combine both in the room....a leather sofa with fabric chairs, drapes with blinds, compromise can be a good thing!
PS- Love the gender neutral photos you featured Natalie, your photos showed that it's important not to go overboard in either direction (too feminine or too masculine)