If you like it, then it's an expression of you, who cares if men are usually more likely than women to have black leather furniture? If you want it to be a little more typically feminine, though, I bet dark red or purple accents would look great with a black and grey color scheme. Or even keep your accessories neutral and play with texture - velvet throw pillows on your leather sofa would be pretty un-boyish, for example.

Of course women use dark palettes without it looking masculine. Masculine and feminine are societal terms and are totally subjective. Colors don't care whether you're a man or a woman. Pick your favorite color and just go dark with it. Do you like purple? Go dark, erring on the side of a gray or black undertone. You like blue? Dark blue is sophisticated and has a lot of depth.

Firstly, I wouldn't worry about labels like that! Did you know that prior to the 20th century pink was masculine and blue was feminine? If you like a dark colour palette why shouldn't you have one?
On a more practical level, a tipp Emily Henderson (Design star) often gives about mixing "masculine" and "feminine" , is to use forms typical associated with "feminine" in "masculin" colours, which essentially means going for funiture and assecories with lots of curves, tuffting, "feminine" patterns (for example florals) ect. but in blues, greys ect. If you like it you can also use lots of accessories usually associated with "feminine" or "girly", like chandeliers, lots of flowers, antique mirrors, throw pillows, beautiful mirrors to keep your flat from looking like a stereotypical bachelor pad. Or use "feminine" colours for accents while keeping the main coulurs dark. But if you're not a fan of those things, who cares if somebody thinks it doesn't look "feminine" enough, as long as you love it?

Also I would suggest texture. Put a throw on your couch, maybe a natural cotton or even a wool one. Pillows with texture or even a print.
It will look great!

I am a girl and I love black leather furniture and gray walls. I have friends who tell me it is too masculine looking but I like it regardless. Your stuff will make the place more feminine. The books, the shoes or the occasional bra hanging on a doorknob (don't judge!). I will say that I love things that are soft to the touch. Sheep hair pillows, fleece throws and throw pillows with slipcovers in burn out velvet. You will find a way to make your place yours.

I think dark can equal glamorous just as easily as dark can equal masculine. I'm thinking film noir and women with blood red nails and curls of smoke and pops of shine. Dark is sexy and moody and cozy. If it were me, I'd throw in a lot of soft textures - a snuggly throw blanket, maybe a slightly fuzzy pillow or two, a plush rug - to balance out the stark colors. Ikea has some great mirrored sconces that hold candles, to continue that dark sexiness. And maybe add some pops of jewel tones - deep teal, aubergine, ruby red, dark gold - to bring a little more color to the room.

I agree with everyone else's comments (wow, that's a first!) Whatever you like is, indeed, an expression of who you are and should be celebrated with confidence. Love the suggestions of colors (I'd add hot pink, cobalt, and ruby red as ideas). You might find some design inspiration from the fashion of celebrities like Pink, Avril Lavigne, Kelly Osborne, and Kristen Stewart. All have that black leather rocker chic look, yet are pretty and feminine. Have fun!

All that matters is if you like it. Don't worry what other people might think. As far as a more affordable lounge chair, here are 2 options I found:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Collins-Black-Mid-Century-Accent-Chair/6421711/product.html
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Tibet-Club-Chair/6817794/product.html

Can a girl use dark colors without it being too masculine? Absolutely. This is one of my favorite looks right now. My bedroom is a dark brown, the paint chip was called java float. Many of my accessories are feminine and what I love about it is the balance it creates. If my room was pink or even white, it would be way too girly for me. My design still is a mix of both masculine and feminine and I think that's what makes it work.

I agree with the sentiment about utilizing texture to make it feel more feminine. Velvet, plush, silk, faux fur, and metallics layered in with leather will strike a comfortable, cozy balance. Also incorporate some pattern and color, like a modern floral in neutral tones, or whatever your favorite color is, blended with gray. Most importantly, don't worry about what other people tell you is masculine or feminine. If YOU feel like your room is leaning more man-cave than Aubrey-apartment, just throw in some sparkle :)

Painting your place brown and black and gray won't make you a man. Do what you like. You'll still be a girl.

My bachelor-ette pad has a dark color scheme throughout, including grey walls. Lots of black, navy, deep teal, and stainless steel.

or the occasional bra hanging on a doorknob (don't judge!).

LOL, just did that last night. Anyway, I'm a girl that likes the same stuff you're talking about and I never worry about it looking too "masculine." What does "masculine" design even mean anyway? Do what you love and it'll come across as "you."

Also agree with whoever brought up "glamorous," which is the word that always pops into my head when I see pics of a beautiful deep dark colored room.

Think about decorating your apartment. Tailored lines, dark colors and menswear-inspired pieces look great on a cute girl. But you do need something to femme it up a little, so it doesn't look like you shop in the men's department of Nordstrom. Dress your apartment the same way. Masculine inspired pieces with a feminine touch. Lots of good suggestions above for doing that... my own suggestion is using warm metals like gold and brass, as well as introducing some rounded shapes when possible (tables, pillows, rugs, mirrors). Curves are a subtle way to soften things up if you're not a ruffle girl.

^ oops that should say "Think about decorating your apartment like getting dressed."

I wish you could edit comments!! Maybe I should proofread :)

Personally, I think "masculine" (and yes, guys, this is stereotyping -- but it DOES fit certain men) often includes those black leather overstuffed slouchy leather sofas and recliners. Very man-cave, no matter who uses them. If you use more streamlined dark furnishings (which DO look more modern) there shouldn't be a problem.

Dark is sexy! I have a chart on my blog that identifies conventionally "masculine" and "feminine" furnishings. You can get a dark leather sofa and combine it with decorative side tables, some cozy fabrics with complex patterns, and flowy curtains, and it'll still read as feminine. Apartments that combine masculine and feminine designs are way more interesting than pure femininity.
http://idqa.blogspot.com/2012/09/masculine-and-feminine-design.html

You seem restricted by an acquired definition of masculine and feminine. Look around you. Men don't all live in dark caves and women don't all live in girly spaces. Conquer your fears one step at a time. Test it on a wall or with an accessory. This could be a great opportunity to free yourself from sexual stereotypes and develop your own style.Think androgynous, unisex, asexual, whatever. Feel it and most of all, have fun with it.

One good thing about being a girl who has a more masculine style is that its easier to agree with your partner when you end up getting married! I'm so glad that both my husband and myself like "masculine" rooms (but not the overstuffed "bachelor pad" look). (Glad to have met a guy who knows what he likes for colour and isn't afraid to tuft a headboard or knock down a wall).

I think a lot of guys in the small/mid suburbs I grew up in would find even the "masculine" rooms I see on AT too girly because they think even paying attention to this kind of thing or having a room look "designed" is feminine. Their loss!

For the past 25 years, I've lived in a gray and white house. Since I have black leather furniture and white walls I guess you could say I live in a "black and white world with shades of gray." My pop of color is red. Monochromatic colors are soothing to my eye. I'd have everything white by my husband says "absolutely not." Maybe my next place . . .
PS have had an all black cat, an all white cat and several Siamese cats in this house. They match my favorite color scheme!

if you want some great, glam, way-feminine dark color scheme inspiration, check out:

http://nubbytwiglet.com/category/haus-beautiful/ (two apartments + one house + loads of black/red)

http://www.theglamourai.com/category/home-decor/

and the amazing home of abigail ahern:
http://www.designsponge.com/2008/10/sneak-peek-abigail-ahern.html
http://theselby.com/galleries/abigail-ahern/
(search her name on the AT site, too!)

Maybe also check out the Hovey sisters for an old-world-WASP-y take.

I use a lot of blue/greys and purple/greys with accents in silver, white and charcoal black. Some of my art has winter scenes while the others are very bright.

I even have a metallic blue butterfly on the wall, white sheer curtains with Christmas lights woven in. You can't see at all at night because of how dark it is, so we plug in the Christmas lights.

To be honest though I do have a light colored "livewire" sky blue kitchen and bathroom. But that was to color up the yellow egg and lilac purple and it gives a great contrast between the rooms.

Paint colors of choice:
cantenburry blue
Shadow
Livewire
Sailcloth White
Black (charcoal colored)

Metals: Silver

Sure a girl can enjoy darker colors.

For some rooms, I like darker colors=grays, cafe au lait, blacks but I add a few things to offset these-more feminine shapes, softer textures, and shine (curvy lamps, circular coffee tables, interesting patterns in my pillows and throws, rugs and a mirror or two). It feels sophisticated and fun.

Although this room was designed by a guy for himself, I think this room is beautiful; it was part of a previous AT post which I can't find: http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/122723158565696126_VykHHRI7_f.jpg Hope that comes through.

Good luck!

The important element in any interior, predominantly dark or light, is contrast. You must have contrast. In the photo posted above you'll notice hints of not only color, but also and just as important, white & steel or chrome, which reads as almost white.

Also, stick to warms OR darks in your selections. The photo above is all cool shades of grey and pure white and silver, with cool accent colors. If you choose a slightly softer look go with warm whites, taupes, latte, chocolate browns & warm black with warm accent colors like melon, mustard, indigo etc. It's more difficult to mix warms and cools in the same space and have it feel cohesive.

Good luck, and be sure to buy enough paint & a good primer - if you're going dark it will take several coats to get it right!

I have pink walls, hanging butterflies, and floral blankets in my bedroom. I also have black sheets, black blankets, and fake guns framed on the wall. I like the contrast/contradictions. It is more interesting than knowing what to expect.

My color palette, both in decoration and fashion, is composed mostly of greys, black and creamy whites. I throw in the occasional pop of grass green, (on my person it's my umbrella or necklace, in my house it's the plant life).

While I don't mind my home looking "masculine" - I have resigned myself to using that as one of the tags when discussing my style or looking through catalogues, etc. - I think one way to diminish that impression is to work with curved lines rather than straight edges and corners. (Imagine the Apt. Therapy logo in your favorite shade of grey. Now imagine it with corners rather than curves. The spiky one seems more masculine, and the usual one seems more feminine even if their coloring is identical. The same might work with a room.) Curved lines will make it appear softer without sacrificing the colors you like.

Patterns might do some similar work for you, if you stay away from stripes since they get labelled masculine quite often and go for polka dots, swirls or florals. Another possibility would be to aim not for "feminine" but for a different aesthetic altogether. Try for "artsy", or "rococo", (or "punk glam") in the colors you like and make you space that thing instead of girlish.

If I was going to get really carried away, I'd say that your wall art should be stuff like black and white photos of Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn or Ani DiFranco or Michele Obama, whichever sort of power woman you want. But I think a less generic way to go about that is to pick out images that you like and trust that they're going to express you in the space rather than trying to tailor it to some of idea of girly.

Lastly, accessories: flowers (white ones, or light blue, colors that work with the space), plant life, knit blankets, etc.; in other words, soft things. Also/or shoes, jewelry, coats. If you can do (tidy) storage out in the open then your stuff will add feminine touches of you to the space without having to buy more stuff and, since it's yours, you'll know it's not too cutesy.

Yes, you can, and don't be afraid to experiment. Keep the things you like over time, and discard the things you don't.

I agree with what other people have said, the use of texture is the best way to bring in a more of a feminine touch. I also would put in some shiny accents, like crystal, silver, and mercury glass. Then some warmth with soft throws and such.

I think the only way it would look masculine is if you had a couch, a 50 inch TV and a PS3 and nothing else in your room. :)

I love grey too but add some feminine touches with an accent color of yellow. You can pick a "warm" grey too that will be softer. Check out restoration hardware's paint- colors graphite and saffron. Also, this chair is just $149 and gets you a similar look. Good luck!
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19903928/

Add some curves baby!

Just like the picture that you posted - the bottle, pillow pattern and wall paper pattern adds feminine curves to the furniture and palette.

this post is the opposite to the one about the little boy who loved pink & what were the parents to do? the answer is the same: indulge in good design & don't worry about the colour, the era, being 'masculine' or 'feminine' at all. men wear pink button-down shirts & women wear motorcycle boots & calvin klein sells one fragrance to both genders & it all works.