Ideas to “Man Up” Your Living Space

Perhaps it is a new home you recently purchased because it has loads of charm and “good bones,” even though it’s interior spaces look like an over flowered Victorian-era dollhouse.  Maybe you just now lifted your eyes up from the big game to find the furnishings and décor you chose 10 years ago are more in line with Little Orphan Annie than Annie Hall.

Whatever the reason you decide your living space abounds too much with pastels, velvety textures, and plush pinks and purples, you may decide it is time for a change.  It may be time to “man up” where it comes to the design influence of your home (even if just a bit).

Whether you are rethinking your space for the man in your life, or you are a man thinking about adding your own touches to your living space, there are furniture pieces, textures, materials and even lighting you can utilize to add some testosterone to the environment you call home.

We’re not talking about throwing out all that is soft or traditionally considered feminine, we’re talking about discrete changes that can provide some balance to the room where she knits afghans and he keeps a pulse on the sports world.

A Leather Sofa

A sofa is considered an “anchor piece” to a room and nothing makes as strong a statement as the rich look, feel, and scent of a leather sofa.  Leather has a powerful aura to it and interacts with multiple senses in a “take charge” kind of way.  This beautiful leather sofa by Stickley impresses with features like rolled arms and broad seating comfort for you and your guy (as well as the rest of the family!).  This Santa Fe model further compliments masculine design with beautiful brass riveting.    Need more leather in your space, and a recliner?  This matching recliner from Stickley is perfect for your den or library.

Your Own Ottoman Empire

The original Ottoman Empire persisted for some 600 years in Eastern Europe. While your reign may not last that long, it can feel just as permanent and comfortable when you add an appropriately masculine ottoman to the living room. Bernhardt has the perfect solution for resting your feet while reading, TV-watching, or any other form of conquering your world.   This ottoman is big and spacious; as a feature in your living room it can’t be ignored!  Do you know what is really great about this quality ottoman by Bernhardt?  It provides equal space for both the king and queen of your home to rest their feet in supreme comfort together!  Bernhardt ottomans come in leather grain and durable materials that are bound to please all tastes.

Nordic Coffee / Cocktail Table

Imagine a perfect amalgam of wood and metal as part of the new vision for your home.  In this case, a gunmetal and oak coffee table.  If you do so, you may have just imagined the Nordic Cocktail Table by Thomasville.  Combining two truly elemental materials and textures: oak and metal, this stunning table is the perfect complement to your new leather sofa.  Bonus to both of you … The versatility of this table is such that you can host the Saturday morning book club and have the guys over to watch the game the following Sunday.  Wine and cheese?  Beer and crackers?  This hearty table enthusiastically states: bring it on!

Lighting That Evokes Rugged Independence

One way to ‘masculanize’ your living space is through artisan lighting.   Lamps, of course, provide light to our homes, but these often-overlooked functional design elements can also add much more in the way of character and story-telling (yes, story-telling!).  All one has to do is to look at the “Museum of New Mexico Table Lamp” by Quiozel to see visions of sweeping desert vistas and mesas, cattle ranches, and cowboys of the old west.   These images are part of essential American history and lore, yet their rugged story can be incorporated into your own living room!  We can guarantee you that your new artisan lamp from Quiozel will never be overlooked by anyone!

Bringing Your Vision of Home Space to Reality

The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to changing the design influences of your home.  The beauty and fun of such an endeavor is that you can make your space into whatever you want it to be.  Masculine, feminine, casual, modern, traditional, transitional, eclectic; and the list goes on and on.   The fun really starts, though, when you collaborate with a design professional that knows the universe of styles and product lines that you really do have at your disposal to make your vision a reality.  The professional designers at Ennis Fine Furniture are masters of understanding your vision and helping you create that vision in your home.  Ennis designers are complimentary to customers of Ennis Fine Furniture and will bring your vision to life.