the RA RA Home

If I Were A Bachelor [Pad]

i've been giving out design advice to a couple of bachelors lately and it got me thinking... how would i decorate my place if i were a bachelor?  i've always loved to mix masculine and feminine pieces together in my own home, so it's not that far of a stretch to imagine it.  so here is some "manly" inspiration and elements i would include that are also classic enough to transition into a shared space and with other styles someday...

i love the feel and furniture in these two rooms, one dark and one light, but both beautiful depending
on what you prefer.  i love using desks and large tables behind sofas, they help to anchor them
and are a very functional place to work if you don't have a separate office.

i love this desk on the right, it's unusual, but super functional with all that space.  the warm wood also looks great with
the streamlined chair.  we have this exact chair in our office paired with an old wood dining table that's very similar in color.
we've had several different work space set-ups since we've been in our current home and this is by far my husbands favorite.

you can't go wrong with bookshelves to help add architecture if your space is lacking it.  if you don't have the books
to fill them yet, here are a couple ideas of how to display what you have.  I love how all of the books on the left
are facing forward so you can appreciate their covers and it's an artful way to fill the shelves

they make beautiful and functional storage whether vintage or new and apparently can even be
 used in place of traditional bathroom cabinetry.

most guys love leather sofas, the chesterfield, dating back to the 18th century is one of the most classic ones there is.
in my opinion, when in high quality brown leather, it never goes out of style and could easily become an heirloom.
this particular one is from restoration hardware.

they never go out of style and i love the menswear suiting on this

mansfield grey pinstripe ottoman. the stripe pillow is from homemint.

the telescope floor lamp, black iron bell pendant, and distressed metal bucket pendant - all from world market

a vintage photo of a favorite sport or a place you've been is understated and personal.
check out some more great futbol ones here.

my friend needed help deciding on a mural for his place and we went with this
black and white aspen one that will go with anything and looks good all year round.

i'm not a liquor drinker, but i thought this was hilarious [sorry no source] but you could re-create it with a belt

you have to be careful not too get to theme-y with this one, but small touches are good.
i love the rock photo display, practically free and a good filler for those bookshelves.

they look great in any kind of space and also never go out of style.  both of these are extra cool military versions -
the military chalkboard world map from restoration hardware and a vintage 1940s military instructional globe.

invest in a version that's equally as beautiful as it is functional, it makes great decor and is a good conversation piece.
this ivictrola is from design within reach [sorry no longer available] but here's a similar one at anthropologie.

and i just had to include this, don't where it is, but how cool.