Man-Cave Makeover Using Accessories

(BURLAP PROJECT(S) AT END OF THIS POST!)

I was looking at some pictures last night and found this makeover that's worth taking a look at. Plus, it has orange in it, which right now is screaming fall! (We have to take our cues where we can get them in warm-to-hot-most-of-time FL!) I'm calling it Man-Cave Makeover because this house belongs to a single male family friend. This is how it turned out! It wasn't always this way, however. This is how it started...

Before I went to his house, I had him look through a couple of Pottery Barn catalogs. (Note: This is a very non-intimidating task for a man. Not too much volume, nothing overly feminine, except maybe bedding or a chandy here or there.) I pointed out some paint colors and fabrics. I knew he had brown leather furniture and tables. I also knew that he had painted a neutral color--Points for not being white!

I also knew that he liked a more rustic feel and clean lines. Did I mention this was a guy? The above picture is our planning meeting. I have fabrics for him to look at---only a few---this is a guy! We were considering painting shade of blue since the cool tones would better compliment the other colors in the space. Since orange is a natural accent with blue, I also added that.

The problems? He was drowning in a sea of brown, as well as, smooth, shiny surfaces... Some solutions:

Get some diversity of color and texture in there!

In the kitchen "before" photo, you can see the paint color does not do anything for the cabinets. It was a neutral with green/ yellow undertones. We chose a dusty blue color (right from the pages of PB!) You can see how much better it looks with the cabinets. (Note: This the tile backsplash I had installed for him. It's from Lowe's. I am just IN LUUUVE with the with the mini brick pattern!!!) Did I mention I love the tile? See the fryer? Did I mention this was a guy?

I am dubbing this style "Urban Rustic". I went with a nature motif, but added urban. I mean this is a contemporary man with a huge TV and all of the other requisite electronic accoutrements.

In addition to the new paint color, this is what was added:

A contemporary curtain rod.

Tweed drapery panels.

Also, note how the two paint colors look meeting at this corner. Nothing jarring, a nice subtle transition.

The planter the tree is in was a shiny, old brass-looking thing that my mom was going to throw out. (I guess now would be a good time to say I was on a tight budget!) Since I wanted a rustic look, I used brown grocery bags, crumbled them up and mod podged them to the brass. To finish it off, I tied several rows of raffia around it. (I'm pretty sure I have a life-time supply of raffia, I accidentally bought two bags of it.)

Burlap table runners.

Microsuede and square-patterned pillows. You're starting to get the idea.

On the opposing wall, I added a wicker chair. At first blush, you wouldn't think a wicker chair would belong in this room, but the texture, dark frame and bit of a curve helps balance out the feel of the room. The cushion was recovered in a denim blue that goes with the paint. I placed a basket in the TV stand to hold excess controllers, which also adds a natural element there.

Tips and Tricks:

All of the art (except one piece) are photos he took himself. I had a few made into black and whites, one I just super-sized.

The lamp bases I found at thrift stores. I touched this one up with silver craft paint where it was once gold. One of the shades I found on clearance for about $7.

The drum shade I ordered on-line from LampsPlus. (It was harder to find drum shades on-the-shelf a year ago.) That was kind of funny, it shipped in a huge box--lots of padding!

Now my absolute favorite trick in this whole Man-Cave Makeover is this:

The Burlap Tower!

Let's look under it's skirt, shall we?

The unattractive, okay, some might call hideous, DVD holder! Would you have guessed?

The side of the tower is velcroed, so he can get to his DVDs when he needs too!

The total cost for every piece of burlap in this room was about $12 total.

Amazing!

DIY Note: Since this was a family friend, I personally did the painting, hanging of all the hardware and all of the sewing. The only thing I didn't do was lay the tile--although I did help grout!

Bye, bye Man Cave. Hello, urban retreat!
This post was part of Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors,
The Shades of Pink
and