2014 is all about creativity for us and, while The Haven has a a sweet little work-spot at the kitchen table, with lovely seasonal views across the green, one of the things that I want most from the The Imagined Abode is a proper study for that husband of mine. Ultimately of course I’m looking for his and hers studies/studios, but mine can come later. After all, it’s his prolific writing that I’m hoping will earn us a deposit for our first own home! So today I’m imagineering a masculine space that befits a bear of a man, a hide-away where he can immerse himself in the world he’s writing, and feel utterly empowered.
So I’m starting with all things of the forest for the hunter-gatherer in him: animal heads and hides galore (though of course these can include fake furs, printed rugs, and resin or wood-carved animal skulls, to keep it animal friendly), and some wooden features straight from the lumber-jack's axe:
Jungle, range or humble woodland, each choice of creature creates a different atmosphere:
Locking horns, from monochrome resin to authentic antlers:
This beetle print on black lends a scholarly a
The woodsman's wares (and an easy one for the DIY enthusiast):
Bleu Nature's wood and acrylic stool is the Damien Hirst of axe-man art:
I'd also like to give the office an industrial edge to get the cogs turning. A back-drop of exposed brick-work or a swathe of concrete will do most of the work for you, furnished with sturdy structures of metal. Wythe Hotel, Brooklyn, pretty much has it all:
A series of low-hung lamps create a production-line:
Even the most polished of concrete gives a gritty edge. I love it!:
These Plant & Moss concrete and metal desk accessories with wood inlays are exquisite:
Benjamin Hubert concrete lamps:
Stefano Zwicky's concrete chair, 1980:
Kelly Wearstler's metal table is the epitome of rough luxe:
Black fibreglass Herman Miller Eames chair with metal swivel base:
But the bear isn't all brute: I want to reflect his refined side with some classic gentlemen's club chic. I'm thinking deep jewel shades, a hearty helping of old-school black and tan, studded leather, and super-warm woods:
An officer and a gentleman - naval blue:
Fox-red leather and a smack of Hamlet darkness
All the period trimmings on a modern canvas of two-tone off-black:
Toffee leather and a smooth slice of wood offset by black-painted brick:
A flood of white floorboards freshen, and the wood-chip vases roughen this otherwise classic look:
There are a variety of book-shelf wallpapers out there to give the grand illusion of a library:
The black leather and walnut Eames lounger is an absolute classic for manly style (along with hand-chopped wood!), here set against white, and oversized stone slabs:
A slouchy tan lounger hints at the batchellor pad:
The Rolly side table from Abode:
Anthropologie's Brigitta dresser has stacks of style:
Vintage document drawers work for his and hers:
A brass vintage desk-lamp from The Old Cinema, Chiswick:
Laurel 1950s chrome lamps:
And for the well-travelled gent, a globe, of course:
But the bear also needs a slick of truly modern masculinity. It must be smarter, sharper, sleeker - high-gloss with a touch of high-tech:
These chairs, for me, are perfect:
Black and tan does arty and deluxe:
This glossy red table-top would make a brave, youthful and creative statement as a desk:
And a perspex desk adds futuristic flair to any room:
The slender geometry of this chair puts a metrosexual twist on the tan leather reading chair:
Habitat's Robin Day chair makes sleek the classic masculine combo of black leather, walnut, and steel:
For Bond-villain chic, vintage 1970s Negro Marquina marble side-tables:
And to finish off the look, perspex desk accessories keep things razor-sharp and light:
