apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I agree with dark sheets - and maybe a dark dust ruffle. Maybe a dark throw for the end of the bed - or depending on how much space you have, maybe a leather ottoman at the end.

Perhaps you could layer the bedding to include more masculine shades and prints...?

...By layering, I mean the ruched bedding could be partly visible, with other bedding visible underneath it, and a throw or folded blanket at the foot of the bed, i.e. covering 1/4 of it.

Personally, I never liked the ruched look, so I'm biased. But I am a supporter of a shared bedroom being a SHARED bedroom -- compromise is in order on both sides. Lots of women want a girly-girl bedroom because it's "romantic". GAK. Lots of men want a macho bedroom with leather and steel, or something! GAK.

For a couple, what's needed is comfort, pleasant surroundings, compromise. Maybe your wife can get some texture and "romance" with matte lasse or another quilted fabric that is a little more tailored. The the rest of your bedding can be whatever the two of you like with maybe a couple of girly pillows for her that are removed whenyou sleep.

If you are uncomfortable with ruching, say so -- it's your bedroom, too, and presumably she wants you to be very comfortable in there! ;^)

West Elm has a pintucked option in seaspray, which looks a bit grey. I cannot tell very well from that photo of the Anthropologie set, but it looks to have pintucks.

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODb340&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1BEDDUV&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1BEDDUV

And I also agree with bringing in some darker sheets, etc. Good luck!

Laura
http://www.grafxnerd.net

Dark chocolate brown sheets and pillows. I love how these look with greys and cream. They work especially well if there is a very slight tone on tone or textured stripe. My purple/silver bedding looked girly until I got dark brown sheets! Ofcourse, since then I have switched to a Queen size so I need to get sheets all over again.
I also recommend being stingy on pillows. Make a deal with her- she can have the bedding if you have the final say for pillows. Any accent pillows should be tailored and either dark or grey/silver in tone, or if you have an accent color, a tiny touch of it. No more than 5 pillows. That is, two sleeping pillows, two shammed pillows for propping yourself up to read, or side sleeping, and one accent. The shams should also be tailored. Perhaps a clean lined quilted sham...

I like the west elm duvet, which I think is also available in ivory. It's texture is great. With the black Malm dressers, I'd suggest adding some hardware to the drawers (handles/knobs) so they don't seem too too urban with your more romantic bedding. If you could incorporate some leather accents like an ottoman or chair, a box on top of the dresser you'd add some masculinity. Perhaps a suede accent pillow or two and a throw blanket in a chunky weave with masculine colors like the grays you have chosen. LOVE that headboard.

I would say either go with the headboard or the gray ruched bedding, but I think both together would probably be too feminine. Restoration Hardware has really amazing bedding in a bunch of luxe colors.

Bedscape?

When I saw these pictures I immediately thought of the West Elm Pin-tucked duvet. I actually have the Clay (gray/brown) duvet with dark chocolate brown sheets. I think it looks great and is still masculine enough for my boyfriend. We also have the black Malm dresser which honestly isn't my favorite but it works. Here's a link to the my bedding - didn't have a pic with the dresser but you can get an idea.

http://www.samanthafrench.com/images/bed.gif

good luck.

There is no way to man-up that duvet cover. Sorry.

i'm of the girl variety human and i couldn't handle that duvet cover unless it was on my grandma's bed. yikes. maybe get a cover that is your style and agree to change up every so often.

sassypiggy -- Not to sound like a downer but some people sleep with more than one pillow at night. Preferably a lot of people I know like two apiece.

I was going to suggest the tin-tucked Duvet from West Elm also. Partially because I am madly in love with it, partially because it is cheaper.
But they also have a Parachute duvet which I think looks a little less 'girly'.
http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODb437&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1BEDDUV&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1BEDDUV

Actually, that bedding set is one of the ones I'm coveting from Anthropologie currently. But they also have a Cirrus Duvet that might match your color palette better and it DOESN'T have flowers.

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?isProduct=true&color=gre&navAction=jump&id=69300

The bedding is a light grey, which would tie in with your grey walls, and it was compliment the white headboard and black dressers. It still has a LOT of ruching, but it's a little more masculine.
The less ruched version is the already suggested West Elm pin-tucked duvet.
Good luck with compromise! I know my boyfriend and I have had our fair share too. :)

sfrench05>

The ship you have above your bed is GORGEOUS!
Where is it from?

Only get one thing in the Hidden Edo -- either the duvet or the shams, but not both. Add navy blue or chocolate brown or dark gray sheets. Voila.

But that's assuming, of course, that you have traditional masculine taste. I certainly don't have traditional "feminine" taste.

How about having the headboard upholstered in a nice charcoal linen and pairing it with the West Elm pintucked duvet. (I have this duvet in ivory and I love it! Highly recommended!) You can also go with silvery gray sheets and throw in some Euro shams in something like this:
http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODb435&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1BEDDUV&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1BEDDUV
for contrast. Maybe a charcoal gray herringbone blanket folded up at the foot of the bed.

To answer the original question>

I think you should go with West Elm's pin tucked version. They still have the similar look without being too girly. Definitely get grey or brown sheets for manning up.

Have you thought about the Hemnes dresser in dark brown? They are made of solid pine where as the malm lines are made of particleboard, so they hold up better.

I think you should also focus on getting good bedside tables, lamps, curtains/shades and a mirror above the dresser that will tie everything together.

Some suggestions from Ikea

This mirror above the dresser
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40073891

Asele table lamp in silver
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S39861116

If you want an accent color, a shot of blue or yellow would go well with the grey/cream/brown/black of the room.

Ruched bedding is highly impractical and difficult to maintain.

Go for some simple solid color/hotel-style duvet colors & shams to start with - or even a nice simple matelasse coverlet/bedspread - and let her have her way with a couple of poofy throw pillows.

With those Black Malm dressers: Are you sure you need two??? Consider adding some brass handles for some sparkle - and a couple of white ceramic lamps with black shades lined w/ gold...
...and don't forget some side tables with drawers and lamps on either side of the bed.

alexis9>

Thanks! Some friends of mine rescued a screen from an old wallpaper factory and did a few prints off it, then I put it on a canvas stretcher. So unfortunately you can't buy it any where:(

That bedding is the female equivalent of Cowboy and Indian bedding for a guy.

Ruched bedding isn't something I'd choose either, but how about this from Restoration Hardware—and, it's on sale!

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1154093&navAction=jump&link=link=ct_italian_framed_sateen_bedding_collections&cm_re=CT-_-CategoryText-_-ItalianFramedSateenBeddingCollections

sfrench05>

Oh no :(
Thanks for the reply though!