I think that would be a great change! Would give the room more of a masculine feel, and add more warmth to the overall look of the room as well. Good choice!

Thanks auntjen! I like wood blinds, but, I don't like having to dust them! LOL

Hi Sandra12.

If you're looking for privacy or a teensy amount of insulation, cellular blinds beat matchstick blinds any day, but for looks, I prefer matchtstick blinds. Then again, I don't do contemporary.

OK, "masculine". I suppose you could say that matchstick blinds are marginally more masculine than while cellular shades, but in this case, switching the existing shades to matchsticks will not increase one bit the overall masculinity level of the room. In fact, those blinds will just vanish into the pervasive pinky beigeness of the room. Besides, they won't solve the real problem with giving a masculine feel to this room: the shinyness of the fabrics which, in their luster & their relentless quiltedness, remind me of my grandmother's dressing gowns. Compared to that, the blinds are no problemo.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think that there's anything wrong with your room--other than the total lack of deep tones that would help ground the room--but if you're trying to do "masculine" you're going to need a lot more more than a new blind. Replacing the blind--and nothing more--will just be spinning your wheels. And for such a small net effect, I wouldn't even bother.

If, however, you are determined to de-feminize the room, I'd get a bed ensemble in a deep color (charcoal, black, olive, Air Force blue, or maybe espresso, depending on the actual color of your walls, which is always hard to tell with a flash shot) and use something complementary (but not matching) at the window. I'm thinking wool or microfleece or corduroy or brushed cotton. The straight-lined style of your existing curtains is fine, but their fabric & their dainty hardware are too girly. For that matter, I might ditch curtains completely, in which case, instead of matchsticks, I'd get some wide-slat wooden blinds in a color that matches the furniture, and I'd use wide black--or charcoal or whatever--tapes. And I'd add a square box valence, in the dark color.

Last but certainly not least, I'd get rid of those dinky little pillows. Multiple pillows to sleep on is fine but decorative pillows that have to be moved every night & beaded (or, worse, feathered) lampshades in a guy's room are like a tutu on the quarterback. Not something I want to see.

Regards,
MAGNAVERDE.

I agree that the shiny fabrics make the room too girly, not the blinds. Replacing the bedding with a different color will also liven up the room. You need a contrasting color in there.
Diane

When I think of decorating in a masculine theme in a bedroom or any place for that matter, I think of none other than Ralph Lauren! You can still get quite an appealing masculine feel while still incorporating some flowery fabrics in sheets or comforters, among the plaids, paisley's, houndstooths and checks he so often uses in his designs. Using both elements appeals to both sexes, I think and makes for a very comfortable environment.That is not to say that every masculine bedroom must look like a Hunt Club or English library! I think of darker colors like greys, blues, greens, browns, reds, with creams or whites. Fabrics can be mixed and often window treatments are straight panels or valences. Nautica also does a great masculine room often built around a Nautical theme. I would start with finding a great bed set or a solid comforter and add in pillows, window treatments, etc. in plaids, stripes, checks etc. Use some pictures as inspiration.

I agree that the bedding and curtains will need to go if you are looking to make the room more masculine.

The color of the walls are nice and will be easy to work with. There a plenty of bedding choices that appeal to both sexes.

Grandmas dressing gown!!! Come on now, they aren't that bad are they???? LOL
Gonna have to rethink this room. I just bought the bedding so, I can't do anything about it now. Maybe get a more masculine throw to put across it?
The curtains can be changed, I can sell them on ebay. I am not crazy about them.
The walls are Desert Camel, so they are a tannish gold color not the pinky undertones showing on some of your monitors.
I do like the blinds from Pennys, may go that way.
Any other thoughts are welcome. The picture over the bed has already been moved. I am still looking for something for up there. The headboard is so high it makes it more difficult to pick something.
Thanks again for your honesty!

Hi Sandra,

My first thought was also the shiny fabric of the bedding. It may be more of the flash showing up, but there are so many great looking options for you in bedding that would be easier than changing the blinds. Have a look at some catalogs and websites, especially the gallery here, and you will probably see lots of things that would give the room a more masculine feel. I've also seen some great looking Ralph Lauren things at TJMaxx, so be sure to check them out if you decide to go that way. Good Luck.

If the bedding needs to stay then I would not try to make the room more masculine - just less feminine. The bedding is nice but everything will look out of whack if you add truly masculine stuff to the room.

So, now you need to work with the bedding and pick up on the least feminine colors in it. If there is some dark brown then play that up.

I think more than one picture needs to be above the headboard. Two or three prints that are almost the same width as the headboard would be better.

Well, I usually don't chime in regarding decorating, but have been following this post as well as your previous ones.
I think what bothers me most is the drapes. I personally don't like the shine and no offense, please, but they do not look like the best-made. It looks like they are banded and that is not laying flat and also the hem if put in right should not be so visible.
I have read Magnaverde's suggestions - so you need to answer, do you want the room masculine - or just a bit less feminine.
I love the bedding, but am thinking that accent pillows in a non-shiny fabric would work better. I am thinking that the drapes maybe in the medium brown tone in the comforter in a nonshiny fabric would work.
I am glad you took Grandpa down. I wouldn't want him watching me sleep - or whatever.
Also, you said that the walls are not as pinky as they show on the monitor; that's good!
I thought in another thread you had a throw across the bed?? Personally, I wouldn't do that. I think more than anything the drapes are the issue. Just my .02.

Thanks to all! Yep I think the drapes will go. I got them at Pennys. They are a silky material so the stitching on them does show. You know how hard it is to sew on silk. I may try to sell them and then get something not "shiny". Drapes? Tabtops? Thoughts...More brown colored?

Hmm would you be willing to use woodsheen on the furniture and make them darker?

Sorry that is not what you were asking, but couldn't help thinking that darker on the wood wouldn't hurt the feel.

What is the darkest color in the bedding? I think I would choose to get curtains and pillows to bring that out.

I am glad you took Grandpa down. I wouldn't want him watching me sleep - or whatever

LOL!!!!!

Is that new paint? I know the set is new. I would either paint the walls a chocolate brown and keep the curtains or keep the walls and put chocolate curtains(yummy!).
How about velvet?
Do you think you need more masculine touches or is that something that came out of us?
(I would like a little darker gel stain on the furniture if you feel like working). They would really stand out against the wall color. Then the dark curtains and a light-cream shag rug. Add a fuzzy pillow to the bed.

Here is a link that might be useful: jcpenney

I like the idea of using a darker color on the windows. I will have to check tonite and see what the darkest color in the comforter is.
I did just paint last year so, I would like to work with this for now.
I have never heard of woodsheen, is that like gel stain?
I don't know about darkening it but it sounds good.

Sandra, my first thought was the same as the others -- the bedding and curtains are feminine.

For the windows, you might want to look on eBay for microsuede or suede cloth. It's not shiny, but is more like velvet. It washes and comes out of the dryer like a DREAM! Maybe in a chocolate?

Here is a link that might be useful: suede curtains

Sandra - woodsheen is similar to gelstain. It is a rubbing stain and finish in one. I've put a link to it below. You could use gelstain too. Unless you are attached to the color of the bed of the dresser it might be nice to change the color to darker. Right now the walls, fabric, and furniture are all a similar tone so there is nothing to make your eye rest. Anchoring it with darker furniture would accomplish this since you can't change the bedding and go darker. Darker drapes and darker pillows would help too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Minwax Woodsheen

I agree with some of the above comments - I'd like to see dark brown or espresso colored microsuede curtains, maybe with a matching larger lumbar pillow across the bed instead of the smaller, shiny ones.

A heavier weight nightstand would look nice, too.

Just a few little changes and it will look much less feminine.

Why do we want it masculine? Did I miss that?

I did not realize how feminine it was till you all pointed it out. I am drawn to the masculine rooms that I see. I was never happy with the curtains, honestly. They make the room too monochromatic. Give me a week or so and I will see what I can come up with. I do like the idea of the darker curtains for sure. Thanks for the links!

Would the woodsheen work on laminate? I believe the sides of the dresser are a laminate or veneer.

If you use gel stain then yes. I did my kitchen cabs (wood, veneer and some panel combo). I used Minwax gelstain in Walnut. I think that would look nice for your dresser and headboard. You could also find a color to match your glider. I don't remember what it looked like. A mahogany would also be nice.

I like woven wood shades for your windows instead of the white shades. You can get the woven woods with pretty edging and fabric banding, to add a bit of a feminine touch to an otherwise masculine style of window covering. They also come in blackout lined versions, which are very nice in a bedroom. The color choices and textures are really nice. And you can get them in a roman shade style, so it doesn't look like some cheesy 70s wood roller shade, either. They're really very pretty (can you tell I like them, :-)). I would eliminate the drapes altogether and just stick with a woven wood with edge banding and a scalloped valance. JMO.

Lots of options at HD and Lowes for woven woods -- and they're often on sale.

Yes. I agree. Bedding is not masculine enough. You should rid yourself of them ASAP. I'm feeling generous today and will take them off your hands. Would you like my address? :)

Thanks Sars I will check them out.
LOL Mzdee got the drapes on ebay already! Gotta keep the comforter for now, paid to much.

Since the comforter is new and you are not likely to go out and invest in another set, then, keep this in the back of your mind when visiting TJ Maxx, Marshall's etc...an inexpensive duvet! You can take your existing comforter and cover it with a duvet and you have an instant change and still get the use of your comforter! There are always RL sheets at these stores too. A lot of Nautica lately also.

Yeah I have looked at Duvet covers. Gotta go back to Marshalls. Don't have a TJMax very close.

Anyone know of a place that has resonably priced curtains? I need a "milk chocolate" color not the really dark brown.

OK Just ordered chocolate brown duvet cover from Overstock!!! I will let you know how it turns out! My intentions are to fold it back over the original bedding, since I love it too. I have a quilt I can put in it. This will give me an extra set of pillow covers too. Thanks for all your great ideas!

I love your bedding. Maybe some curtains in that blue or green that's in the comforter. I can't really tell what the color is, but can see the contrast. Then add more contrast to the bed.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the blinds you have.

saw these on the JCP site and thought of you. Did your duvet come in yet? These would definately bring in a masculine or tailored feel. Herringbone and paisley...ultimate masculine! In the picture they even have it paired with a floral sheer underneath.

Here is a link that might be useful: JCP