Clearly a pattern can't be claimed strictly for male or female use and sometimes a reference to the opposite sex can add an element of surprise to a space, but these patterns have a long-standing connection to the masculine, both in fashion and design.
Pin Stripes: A favorite fabric for suits and baseball uniforms, pin stripes represent men at work and at play.
Paisley: At home on business men or cowboys, paisley is a remarkably versatile pattern that manages to be both manly and playful.
Plaid: From rustic to upscale, plaid's straight lines are a masculine classic.
Bold Stripes: A perennial favorite, stripes add a regal touch to any space.
Geometric: Though geometric patterns are equally at home in a feminine room, the bold lines and shapes are strong and architectural.
(Images: 1, house to home; 2, 1st Option; 3, Todd Selby; 4, William Waldron/Elle Décor; 5, Jonathan Adler)
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Comments (20)
Love the mens' suiting textile on the chair in photo #1. The juxtaposition of the masculine material with the feminine lines of the chair, swoon.
I adore the first two pictures. Some day I'd like to be able to decorate very similar.
1= Spaghetti arms; great fabric, looks weird on the arms
2= Sperm swimming to meet the egg
3= Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island in drag
4= Hershey's prison cell
5= Pink drug pillow? really?
I love masculine design but none of these do it for me.
first chair is fantastic!
Change those chair arms to leather upholstery on #1 and I might agree.
First chair is silly, and a bit creepy!
I'd agree that some of these photos aren't the best representation of the idea...
...but that chair is really great and I enjoy the stripey bedroom.
The colors in #1 may be masculine. But none of these rooms belong to a manly dude. This AT feature is hilarious.
But then, my definition of "masculine" is obsolete now.
Not a fan of the chair in #1. But wow - the paisley paper in such a scale is a knock out!
How about just leather/raw-hide? It can count as a pattern.
Nevertheless, these are designed-homes as examples, and not a guy's place. My male friends don't even have curtains (or made beds)!
Anything pinstripe makes my knees weak...
really, what's a girl to do except avoid the FiDi?
Number 3 is what I call gingham or vichy, not plaid. As for being masculine it reminds me of the 'Little house on the Prairie' not 'Brokeback Mountain'.
I agree, #3 is gingham, and I don't think it's masculine at all. Not prissy, certainly, but it feels like picnic napkins or an apron dress. Country.
really, only one person is going to comment on the drugs pillow? it just seems so random.
I love the first two rooms.. cool color schemes and furniture.
lushlivings.com/store
... ok, so what patterns are left that are supposedly feminine? Florals? Animals? Seriously?
The first chair is pretty cool, but I actually might get creeped out sitting in it. XD
Where can I find that chair? I love it!
What would you call that type of chair in number 1? Cool.
That is gingham check, and it is pretty girly except when compared to, I don't know, toile. But I've seen plenty of check/toile combos, and in fact read it as country or French country.
omg the gingham reminds me of this site
http://www.lileks.com/institute/interiors/BHG/chpt8/6.html
what will the future think of us?