Ladies... I need decorating advice.

[panamag8or]

I am now living alone, and need some advice on how to decorate. Along with the guy-centric stuff like Coke bottles, vintage maps and such, and college memoribilia, I have access to lots of "girly" things, like arrangements, vases, porcelain knick-knacks and such. I do have some china and fiestaware displayed in the cabinet already. (hey, it's vintage)

Should I use some of those things, so that the house doesn't look like too much of a bachelor pad/frat house, or would it make me look kinda gay, on the off chance I actually have a lady over for dinner or something?

 

[Viola]

My decorating advice would be to have what you like, but just make sure it is clean and pulled together. Knickknacks you don't care about are unnecessary.

A little attention to what color things are and having the rooms kind of blend (not match, just kind of flow color/style-wise) is nice but don't drive yourself batshit. I mean, after all that, it wouldn't really be you.

-Viola

 

[Shearer]

If you don't mind having the froo-froo girly stuff ( ) on display, I say use it as a litmus test for the ladies you DO have over. If they like it, you get brownie points from them AND you both have something in common. If they don't like it.... well, tell them the ex left it and hide it next time she comes over

Tongue in cheek of course. But speaking from experience, I don't mind seeing all sorts of eclectic stuff around a guy's house (or anyone's for that matter). It's a good conversation starter and gives people an idea of what you're into. SO much better than all the apartments and houses I've been to with nothing but Ikea furniture and blank walls.

Hey, Ikea's great, but mix it up with some Eames or something

 

[pigeon toe]

Worrying about "looking gay" (whatever that means -- trust me, there is just as much diversity among gay men as there is among straight folks) is silly.

Just go with your own tastes and don't worry what others thing, I doubt they will think anything negative anyway. The more eclectic the decorating, the more interesting and personalized it is. And that's always a good thing!

 

[Paisley]

Get the book "Home Decorating for Dummies." It covers various styles, arrangements and color schemes.

Personally, I really like arts and crafts style and mission style. They look vintage and masculine, yet refined.

One word of advice about vases: bud vases should be bottom heavy and wide at the base.

 

[Joie DeVive]

I agree with the other gals. Do what you like. If you want some knick-knacks, do it. If you prefer a more spartan, minimalist look, that's good too.

The one thing I think people need to watch out for is doing too much. I find do-dads on every surface overwhelming... Plus I hate dusting...

One detail that is very pulled together and not "too feminine" is definitely window coverings. Tab top curtains are very affordable, and add a lot to a home without being fussy.

 

[Elaina]

Don't worry about it. When my husband and I were dating, my house was dark, leather covered and red accented, with no knickknacks (unless kid toys count) and looked like a man's apartment. His had floral prints, crap galore and looked like it should have been my place.

 

[Naama]

Speaking of Gay-looking flats...... My best friends (all gay) live togheter in a flat-sharing community and there flat looks rather.... Well.... You wouldn't notice that they are all gay! Just looks what most people would consider a bachelors flat.... (all dirty, no (living) flowers,.... lol ) So throw away your stereotypes!


Naama

 

[Mildred]

A Man's apartment

When I was dating my dear husband-Laurence-I thought he had the perfect "man" apartment. Let me descibe it for you: Living Room- a nice leather comfortable sofa and two wing chairs. A fireplace. Some small tables and a nice solid dark wooden bookcase filled with hard-bound books. He had a bar on a silver trolly table for cocktails-all set up and ready to go. He had one table for his record player and his albums. A large 1930's radio. Some rugs on a wooden floor.
His kitchen was small-not much to it. His bedroom had a queen size bed with a plain bedspread and a chest of drawers. A closet for his suits. Through out the apartment he had black and white photos in silver frames. His office was a desk and two book shelves-one for classics hard covers and one for his trophies and baseball collection. Overall the place was clean and clutter free and smelled like lemon wax! I was in love...with the man and his place. For your fiesta ware-I would keep it in the kitchen.

 

[patrick1987]

Sounds cool.
If the display cabinet is in the dining room, then it's okay to display the Fiestaware and china in it.

 

[Miss Brill]

Get bookcases & fill them full of books & use the bric-a-brac as filler. You can display them without it being girly, it all depends on where they are displayed (i.e. no dainty whatnot shelves).