| Let's face it, guys: when it comes to home decor, | | | | If you're a sportsman, then go for it in a big way. |
| the whole idea can be just too "girly." Too many | | | | Deck out your living room in the colors of your |
| florals and pastels, and even ruffles! Argh! Who can | | | | favorite team, hang the sports memorabilia on the |
| bear it? | | | | walls and move in a cool recliner. There are plenty of |
| Stand down, soldier. There are plenty of ways to | | | | interesting sports themed area rugs to suit any sport. |
| make your home or apartment reflect your | | | | Throw one on the floor for added effect. Better get |
| masculinity without having to drop megabucks - | | | | a sturdy leather couch so your buddies can join you |
| unless of course, you really want something. | | | | in watching the big game - or games - on a |
| Start by thinking about who you are. Do you think of | | | | widescreen plasma TV. |
| yourself as athletic, hip, technogeek, cultured? Do | | | | When it comes to hip, you are beyond cool (or so |
| you enjoy hobbies like golf, hiking, biking, or travel | | | | your friends say). You know the trends before the |
| and music? These may seem like "well, duh" | | | | sheets hit the street. Let's hope you have the green |
| questions, but take a moment to think about who | | | | to go with your keen, because hipness can get |
| you are. Most likely, you have many characteristics | | | | expansive in home decor. Better look to the |
| and all of these can be reflected in your home. | | | | Contemporary style and start with the basics in |
| Does the great outdoors make your heart race? | | | | neutral tones like white, black, cream, gray or tan - |
| Then your decor problem is solved: Go for the | | | | or a combination. With the basics in place, go for the |
| hunting lodge look, otherwise known to decorators | | | | latest gadgets, trendy lights (overhead track lighting |
| as the Rustic style. This means wood-paneled walls | | | | is great), maybe some ultra-hip lamps and a coffee |
| with wood flooring, maybe a stone fireplace and | | | | table that's stylin'. |
| comfortable, rough-hewn furniture covered in manly | | | | So you're a culture vulture? Man, the ladies love |
| plaid fabrics and an area rug with an animal motif. Or | | | | someone who appreciates the finer things in life, so |
| you can cover the floor with some brightly colored, | | | | make the most of it. Go for a modified English |
| braided area rugs. They not only cover the floors, | | | | Country look (watch out for those florals!) and deck |
| dude, they tie the room together, like in "The Big | | | | the walls with mementoes of your trips to Kenya |
| Lebowski." 'Nuff said. | | | | and Copenhagen. Could be fine art, could be your |
| Maybe you're Audio Man. After years of saving, | | | | own photos in elegant frames or maybe those |
| you're ready to plunk down four figures on that | | | | African masks you picked up for a song in the Cape |
| epitome of music systems, a Clairtone Project G | | | | Town marketplace. Look for an antique table |
| stereo, the piece of bachelor furniture that defined a | | | | suggesting a French monarch, and a wine cabinet to |
| hipster in the Sinatra era. The Project G originated in | | | | make the ladies swoon. |
| 1963, and there are still a few originals around, but its | | | | Finally, there's nothing that says a man can't be King |
| successors live up to their rep, with magnificent | | | | of the Kitchen (all the great chefs are men, after all). |
| clarity coming out of spherical speakers in a | | | | If you love cooking, then pimp out your kitchen. |
| rosewood cabinet. This is definitely not Component | | | | Install an island, a high-end stainless steel range with |
| City; jazz great Oscar Peterson once described the | | | | exhaust hood, and a rack to hang your pots and |
| Project G as a rival to his live performances. Only a | | | | pans. If this is beyond your budget, then accessorize |
| handful are made today so you'll be scouting big time, | | | | with some small appliances in contemporary colors |
| but it's worth it. Pair this beauty with a sleek couch | | | | and finishes. The way to a woman's heart is often |
| and some minimalist tables and voíla: It's all | | | | through her tastebuds! |
| about the sound, baby. | | | | |