Mans Bedroom Decorating

Mans Bedroom Decorating

In decorating a man's apartment, comfort is the alpha and omega of every decision. Large, comfortable chairs, an ample bed, large drawer and closet space and a general color scheme suitable as a background for tweeds and Bannocks - this is what he wants. Painted furniture, unless very dark in tone, light built mahogany or any of the lighter woods should not be employed. Plenty of small tables for smoking, a round table easily convertible for cards, good reading lights and, if possible, a well-polished grate, are the items of furnishing appreciated by a man. Avoid lavenders and rose, muslins and silks, small chairs and stiff chairs.

I can best illustrate how a man's apartment can be furnished by describing one that I was much interested in creating. On the walls of both the living room and bedroom was a light tan paper. The bed was a three-quarters width of simple strong lines in Italian walnut. There was a large chifforobe of the same design, and one bedside table large enough to hold a few books and writing things, besides a lamp. Two chairs completed the furnishings. The under-curtains were of striped tan net and the over-drapes of blue, brown and tan, wide striped sunfast with a stiff plaited valance. Everything in this bedroom was serviceable and direct as well as attractive.

The living room had a luxurious 7-foot couch upholstered in narrow striped blue velour, drawn up before the fireplace. Back of it was a 2 x 6 foot walnut table of simple Italian design, which served for a writing desk. At one side of the fireplace was a large upholstered chair and at the other a low smoking table. At the other end of the room was a wide mirror in a frame of Chinese black and gold lacquer, reflecting and enlarging the room. Below it was an oval gate leg table that served for breakfast and cards. Beside it was a deep-seated, upholstered chair to match the divan, with a little low bookcase and two simple carved armchairs on either side of the table. On the table stood a yellow pottery lamp.

The rug was blue and taupe Chinese design. At the one wide, bow window hung under-curtains of gold gauze and over-drapes of a formal Chinese design linen in blue, gray, yellow and black. The valance was stiff and straight, and the curtain hung in rich, long folds to the floor.

From the ceiling had been a hideous stock fixture. This was covered with an inverted cylindrical gold gauze shade edged with black.

The two unpleasant fixtures on the mantel were treated the same way.

On the table behind the couch was a remarkable Chinese black and gold lacquered lamp with a parchment shade of black, blue and gray. This was the focal point of the room, and well deserved the attention it received. The room was not large, it carried only three large pieces, but in these the maximum of comfort was attained.

Next Page: Porch Decorating Ideas.