Need "DUDE" help

Petterson Dawn
by Petterson Dawn
My brother is a single Dad. He has saved for well over 10 years to get a home for himself and his son and I am very proud, but, everything that I try to get for him (I feel) is to girly (I like to do lots of crafts).
I need something that both he and his son will LOVE, I want to do something really special that they will like, that will make them feel comfortable in a man way. Their home is very very simple, he has (yuck, leather couches that he loves--green) I know, I know, but he likes them. He loves wood, they collect coins. I'm trying to give enough info. I think his sense of style, dare I say it-is pretty 80's. The french home decor I got him for Christtmas, I don't think went over that well! He thanked me profusely though,lol. Any and all help, tips etc. will be appreciated. Thanks ~~~ Dawn
  26 answers
  • Connie Phillips Connie Phillips on Dec 27, 2015
    one answer: steampunk. This style can be translated on to almost any crafts. The metal, gears and futuristic Mad Max theme will be a sure hit. Are you saying he's available? jk, lol
  • Suzanne Crowther Suzanne Crowther on Dec 27, 2015
    HI Dawn, if he likes wood why not go with a nice wood and metal you can make nice things if your into that get an old table top 2 and give it a good sand and wax it up add steel legs if its a dining table add steel support cross bars very manly you can do bookcases small side tables steel and glass lamps for lamp base you can faux steel the base after the paint dries it will look like steel you can do heaps buy adding wood with metal .The metal con be painted black give it a bit of a sand back our you can use PVC pipe and paint it to look like metal it a cheaper way but you still get the look
  • Suzanne Crowther Suzanne Crowther on Dec 27, 2015
    as sending you a PM but you are not following me
  • Loribeth Loribeth on Dec 27, 2015
    When I moved into my husband's house, it looked exactly like what you're describing (except the leather was blue, not green). Men seem to like wood furniture that's stained, not painted, with simple straight lines, nothing curvy. The earlier suggestion of wood and metal is a good one. But mid-century modern is usually a good choice for men too.
  • Limbo Forest Limbo Forest on Dec 27, 2015
    I agree with Connie, STEAMPUNK, Perfect......
  • Lauren365 Lauren365 on Dec 27, 2015
    I think steampunk is a woman's perspective on men's taste. If he doesn't like anything ornate, I don't think he will like steampunk either. I actually agree with Suzanne and Loribeth - a mix of metal and stained wood. Use black pipe and fittings along with wood to make shelves, tables, etc. Your nephew would probably have fun helping you with a project like that. Clean lines, not decorative. Earthy colors.
  • Faye Campbell Faye Campbell on Dec 27, 2015
    Wooden pieces of furniture would compliment the green leather chesterfield and give the room an earthy, comfortable feel. You can pick up some interesting and unique pieces at resale shops.
  • Mary Ker Mary Ker on Dec 27, 2015
    A picture would help a lot here. That said, many men like the clean lines of Japanese furniture, which opens up the decorating to a few refined pieces of oriental art. Most men love anything to do with trains (a stereotype that is often true...you can find out if they are before creating anything, tho), wildlife art, vehicle themed pieces, etc. Rustic themes often resonate for guys.
  • LD LD on Dec 27, 2015
    Create a display coffee table, for them to display their collectibles, by using a old wood window and use rustic metal for hardware. Give the wood an old age look in medium to dark tones.
  • Johnnie Johnson Johnnie Johnson on Dec 27, 2015
    I used an old 6 pane barn window (sideways) for a coat rack with B/W photos of my sons old tractor. Used barbed wire to hang it with. He loves it. May be Too Rustic for everyone though.
  • Pauliegirl1 Pauliegirl1 on Dec 27, 2015
    I have found many iron based tables without the glass at Goodwill, ReStore, even garage sales..they did not have the glass, or if they do, just replace with wood. They can make for a "MANLY" rustic look. You could also use PVC, painted black....or they have the black metallic spray paint, look at your options in the paint area?? How about a mirror? You could find some old SMALL "junk" metal pieces, use to put around the mirror...MEN like mirrors...I catch my husband looking at himself..hehehe!! Depending on his style???? for dining chairs, get ALL different ones...paint black, or stain?? and find a fabric that he would like, (get samples, let him look at them) cover all the chairs the same...you might even try to dind two with arms...one for him, one for his son?? Maybe they have a hobby they like, cars, sports, trains, COINS?? Whatever they like, find some pics on line, go to goodwill, get some cheap frames, paint all one color then you have a gallery of pics for the wall!! Find an old kitchen seat/ladder, for the kitchen, paint it (color of choice, maybe his kitchen is blue?) cover seat with a matching vinyl/faux leather. It can be used for his son, if he wants to help in the kitchen...I have found MANY at estate sales for 5 - 10$$...a helpful little item in the kitchen...Well I hope that helps you, let us SEE what you do!! GOOD LUCK!!
  • Debra Bond Debra Bond on Dec 27, 2015
    Rugs used as wall art have a masculine feel to them. I'm attaching a couple of pictures here. I'm in the Southwest, but you can easily go with another type of rug. Both rugs purchased at thrift/junk shops (in Northern Indiana). I'm not a dude, but I've always been accused of having masculine tastes in decorating.
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    • Petterson Dawn Petterson Dawn on Dec 28, 2015
      Thank you Everyone!!! I knew you all could do it,, greatest place to come for decorating advise EVER,,,
  • Petterson Dawn Petterson Dawn on Dec 27, 2015
    lol lol that's funny,,, about your hubby,, too cute,,, yes all of those are helpful,, thanks a bunch !! I really like the table idea am going to good will today to look around.
  • Petterson Dawn Petterson Dawn on Dec 27, 2015
    All these are great,, yes wood and metal are manly,,will look up steampunk, not exactly sure what it is, but have heard of it,,the rugs on wall seems up his alley as well,,, thanks everyone no much,,, that gives me some great leads to get started. Hmm, I mean-- I never,, lol who doesn't like shabby chic. lol lol Merry Christmas all!
  • Nancy Nancy on Dec 27, 2015
    How about those wooden state designs that have holes for bottle cap displays... I will try to find a picture for you... I think it would be easy, cut out a state shape... then use a drill and a hole attachment (like for a doorknob but smaller) to cut the holes out and they can insert the bottle caps or marbles or???
  • Nancy Nancy on Dec 27, 2015
    Here is a country wood design... my guess is you would have to figure out how the caps can stay in place.... maybe not drill the round hole all the way through then clude them in?
  • 9530106 9530106 on Dec 27, 2015
    My first thought, was a side table made from tire rims, with either wood or glass for the top. Glass is not the best choice, but allows the inside of the rims to be seen. I have been wanting to make one of these for my gear head son! Yes, it is "sort of" steampunk! Google tire rim table and you will see some amazing ideas!
  • Kathy Bitzan Kathy Bitzan on Dec 27, 2015
    Old tires are also finding there way into décor these days. Could work for a foot stool or made with a wood top a table of sorts.....Darts and arrows are also great accessories for guys.
  • Kayo Frazier Kayo Frazier on Dec 27, 2015
    Here's my 2 cents...I'm going to list as many furniture, decor items & styles as I can...You pick the ones that you think will work for your friend. steamer trunks, vintage maps or globes, build a industrial pipe & wood shelves, wing back chairs, dark stained(cherry) or painted(black) armories, Italian fresco prints, leather tuffed ottomans, wood, wrought iron coffee table, get prints of your favorite artists, places, quotes & frame them in gallery groupings around the house, tin ceiling tiles(you can use them on walls & furniture), wooden boxes9all sizes) edison light bulbs...That's what I got...Obviously there is more...but this should give you a couple of directions to go in & check out...Hope it helps.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Dec 28, 2015
    Drag him out to some local thrift shops and see what he gravitates toward in furniture, pictures, dishes, etc.. Keep your lip buttoned unless it is grotesque.
  • David Ogden David Ogden on Dec 28, 2015
    There are a lot of ideas for woodworking with pallets. So east to get and they look great when you put together some ideas
  • Colleen Colleen on Dec 28, 2015
    http://diyready.com/23-more-awesome-man-cave-ideas/ There are some good ideas in this post, although not all of them will be applicable. I really like the sports jersey pillows, tire coffee table and football field rug.
  • Dfm Dfm on Dec 29, 2015
    likes wood? likes green? craftsman style come to my mind. it's classic, easy to live with. personally, I'd have him and his son go online or grab a stack of old decor magazines and pull photos of items that appeal to them. it should make it easier to help.
  • Katrina Warren Katrina Warren on Dec 29, 2015
    @Petterson Dawn Not sure how much you are wanting to spend, but he would probably like a nice wooden desk, (possibly to be found in a thrift store) a good desk lamp, (since he likes green the old style with a green glass shade might be nice) perhaps a decorative magnifying glass on a stand to look at their coin collection with... you can usually find those at Home Goods, Ross, World Market, Pier One, etc......
  • Duv310660 Duv310660 on Dec 29, 2015
    The difference between being an artist and a designer: you need to open up communication, work with what he has and what he can afford, and outside of tweaking the things that don't matter so much to him, do not superimpose your taste onto his home. Your smarts, yes. Your DIY skills, yes. Your time and love, oh my yes!! But not Your Personal Style. Start with some image searches and choose some colours together that work with what he has. Make firm suggestions with one hand, but ultimately yield to his preferences. When you make a concession to what he wants on one thing, then ask him to trust your instincts on another. (Leather, btw, can be painted, waxed and rejuevenated with colour.) Don't overload him with creative decisions; think about functionality - find out what 'must' stay, what 'must' be acquired, and work the rest into it with the chosen colours and your ingenuity. I was a single mom, and I quickly came to believe an organized, efficiently run household was key to a comfortable home and enjoyable family time; visual calm and harmony run a very close second, perhaps more important to me than my son, but definitely all tied to the experience of a reliably pleasant and safe childhood. There's always time for a second hug if you know where your keys are! Remember what your ultimate goals are, and don't sweat the details - you can always update them in the future. This project may feel a bit challenging at times, but your desire to help out is very telling: your brother and nephew have a loving feminine influence, and she's about to make their special nest All About Them. Good Luck!