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Men’s Style and Grooming by Yatan Ahluwalia: Living in style
Decoding the lead look Hair: Short on the sides, long and messy on top
Decoding the lead look
Hair: Short on the sides, long and messy on top.
Brows: Thick and straight.
Face: Clean shaved.
Lips: Fresh and buffed.
Body: Well defined and smooth.
We love our clothes, cars, tech, and grooming regimes but when it comes to how we arrange the space we live in, we usually fail. Typically as men, most of us don’t talk about interiors, and unfortunately it shows!
Our homes are either left to our partners, parents, landlords or end up being terrible mutations of cluttered college rooms, PG spaces or full of needless objects, mismatched furniture, and bare lightbulbs. Ideally, it should not be this way.
Each one of you with your own space (be it a room, floor, apartment, house, penthouse, or farm) should take the same pride in it as you do for styling your wardrobe or accessorising your car.
Keep in mind, there’s a thin line between the point where your swanky bachelor pad becomes a full-blown man cave. It’s quite easy to strike a balance between a masculine home which combines great style. Here’s what you can do:
Start with the basics: The colour scheme sets the mood for your entire space. Select colours that have a ‘manly’ feel and vibe well with you. Neutral colours are a good starting point. Ivory, beige, or grey work well for large expanses like walls. For a little play of colour, you may add the drama of dark colours on some element walls, panels, or pillars.
Then work backwards: A handy approach to starting a new room is to first consider the floor plan, then plan what goes where. With a bird’s eye view of the room in mind, it’s easier to consider the furniture, statement pieces and how they will fit together.
Add elements: While decorating, it’s always helpful to have a colour scheme in mind. Whether you’re opting for one colour or combining it with lighter and darker shades or using saturated colours with accents of white (or bright) for high contrast, it’s worth keeping this palette in mind for accessorising and adding furniture and other décor elements.
Go easy: The key is not rushing into it. Keep an eye out for cool pieces, observe how the space looks throughout the seasons and different levels of light. Take the opportunity to live in the space for a while, becoming aware of its nuances and how you really use it daily, and above all don’t be afraid to move furniture around and try different arrangements until you land on a configuration and design that works for your needs, routine, and lifestyle
Throw in some texture: Texture is essential when decorating a space. This creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. One basic design technique to add warmth to a room is to bring in tactile elements. The use of wood, metal, brick, and at least one piece of leather (or suede) furniture is a great place to start.
Then build: Get the essential pieces nailed down and the rest of the room will follow. That means large pieces of furniture: bed, sofas, armchair, sideboards, dressers, dining table, desk, or recliners. While light colours are a timeless and clean option, they come with the risk of being too clinical, so make sure the furniture and furnishings you place provide a warming contrast.
A place for everything: Nothing makes a space look more unkempt than things that are out of place. Don’t over clutter spaces and emphasise on making your coffee table functional, your display organised and the bookshelf in some order and symmetry. A home entertainment system is great, provided it’s not the centrepiece and is dust free and everything else in the room.
Dress the windows: Wood blinds, natural woven shades, or old fashioned shutters are good choices for manly window treatments. They give a space a more classic, tailored appearance. If you prefer curtains then don’t buy expensive fabrics - just a set which won’t look either too busy, garish, or feminine (read floral).
Infuse yourself: If it’s in your life, it needs to be in your home or apartment. Some guys are really into their health while others are creative or industrial. Whatever lifestyle you lead, let it show. For example, buy art that reflects your hobbies and interests; If you’re bookish, assemble a huge library or if you are a painter, place an easel in the living room with a few finished pieces hanging on the wall.
Finally, light up: Each room should have its own distinct atmosphere dictated by the lights being used. Invest in lamps (both big and small) and always consider where they point, the shadows they cast, where the light is reflected, what part of the room needs lighting and the accessibility of the switch. Use candles because they create the mood and a sense of inviting warmth. And no, they won’t dent your macho, tough guy image.
Ten home décor tips:
Invest in quality over quantity. A room should feel collected, not decorated!
Combine items and pieces from different times and places based on your personal style and preferences.
You may want to hide the good stuff, but a solid bar display is an uncompromisable must-have.
A little greenery helps break up lines and will brighten up the space. Introduce added life into your pad with a few or several plants.
Differentiate between good and bad taste. If it doesn’t jar against the room’s colour palette and it fits the space, go for it.
Your gadgets should be both stylish and practical. Try and get multi utility products than those that have limited use or purpose.
You may be bold or subtle and your decor should match your personality. Never sacrifice too much function for fashion. Decor needs to look good but also be comfortable and serve a practical purpose.
Mix and match store, suppliers, and brands. Your home should not look like it’s been put together by a visit to a single store or online platform. Having said that, ensure you don’t have too many varying styles in one place.
Declutter your room and only include the necessities while ensuring each item serves a purpose. Capitalize on one or two items that grab attention when one enters the room.
Last but certainly not the least, it’s essential to make your home feel like your own and not someone else’s!
Beautiful Homeware
Everything you own or use, should reflect who you are or aspire to be.
Serveware
Lighting Essential
Striking home décor & accent pieces
The décor pieces you use should be conversation starters or jaw droppers. Ensure you place them in a well-lit spot which catches the eye. Lifestyle trends currently favour abstract sculptures of the human or animal form. Put them against a plain or textured wall or on a wood or stone coffee table or console.
Black head
Blue Man
Concrete Figurines
Design-based tech products
Some stylish, fully loaded gadgets to own:
For the home
A fully loaded bar: Bars have the inherent quality of becoming the lifeline of a home party and should therefore be designed, planned, and utilised with both style and function. Place it in area which can hold enough people around it.
Sleek Speakers: A sound system which looks and sounds good so you can switch from movie, to music, to party mode as and when you want.
For your personal use
A multi-functional smartwatch: I suggest an allrounder: which offers you everything from sports to health and wellness features which work both outdoor as well as indoor at home.
Cool Headphones: Needed when you want to disconnect from everyone and everything around you and immerse yourself in surround sound.
Products for your bed
We spend a lot of time in or on the bed and therefore it’s an area you should never ignore. I suggest linen that either matches or contrasts with the colour theme of the bedroom. Things to keep in mind: comfort, durability, easy to maintain and a strong sense of style.
A subtle printed bed set
A soft quilt
The author is an image, style, grooming and etiquette consultant and trainer.
From HT Brunch, November 19, 2022
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