Manly Spaces
- Feng Shui
- Feminine
- Masculine
- Opposites Attract
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It's a man's world. But is it really? How manly are your rooms? Who has the most influence on decorating choices in your home? Some of the best designers and decorators in the biz are men, who have a great eye for texture - the next best thing to colour. Men also have a good sense that less is more in every room except the garage. How many times have you heard your husband say, "do you really need another pair of black boots?" They intuitively know when enough is enough.
Regardless of their innate design skills, they are special creatures and wonderful partners and we love them dearly. So isn't it appropriate that we design our homes with an equal sense for the masculine and the feminine? Besides, it's good design and good Feng Shui.
The Balance of Feng Shui
Balance is a fundamental concept of Feng Shui. The Chinese realized thousands of years ago that there is a little male in every female and a little female in every male, hence the popular saying "get in touch with your feminine side". Good Feng Shui has us aiming to create balance in a space.
- Balance between light and dark
- Balance between all five essential elements
- Balance between the masculine and the feminine.
Feminine
- Pastels, cream, pink, raspberry, mint green
- Silk, chintz, chenille
- Floral, botanical and fruit patterns
- Gold and silver metallic
- Wool, Saxony carpeting, marble
- Poofing valances and drapery, sheers
Masculine
- Dark colours-red, brown, black,
- Tweed, distressed leather, suede
- Geometric, stripes, weaves
- Chrome, stainless steel, copper
- Slate, hardwood, cork, sisal
- Wooden blinds, sleek drapery panels
Opposites Attract
Okay, so how do you balance out all those pastels and pretty florals? It's very simple – think opposites.
- Next to a pretty floral print, put a manly stripe or even a paisley.
- Pair a pink colour palette with a shade of handsome brown, a wonderful and sophisticated combination.
- Dark colours will generally read more masculine than lighter shades.
- Next to sexy, but oh-so-feminine silk fabric, incorporate a micro fiber, suede or rattan. For example, if you have silk upholstery, choose distressed wood or rattan case goods. Coffee tables with the rattan baskets built in are great and they give your man a specific place to store the remote.
If you follow the guideline that for every feminine item, colour, texture or accessory item, counterbalance it with one masculine texture you will create balanced spaces. Yin and Yang. Regardless of gender, we all have a masculine and a feminine side. You, your husband and your guests will feel more comfortable in a space that is well portioned and represents the duality of the universe of all who dwell there. Remember – it is his home too!
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