Recipe for a room

By Cindy Dampier

Chicago Tribune (TNS)

CHICAGO

Greg Shugar was on a mission.

“It might be odd, for a straight married man,” he says, “but I was in charge of decorating our house.”

Shugar, the Chicago-based founder of The Tie Bar, a men’s accessories company which he sold in 2013, didn’t have much experience with interior design. But his wife, he says, trusted him to have a good eye and a knack with fabrics. And after selling his company, he had a little time to spare. So he got the job.

The biggest obstacle he encountered? The bedroom.

“I started shopping for bedding,” he says, “and everything was floral. And turquoise. I mean, I don’t need cowboy hats on my bed, but I’m a man. I don’t want to look at flowers every day. I just want something that appeals to my masculine aesthetic.”

He’s not alone in that.

The bedroom, it turns out, is an all-too-common stumbling block for couples trying to decorate together. Balancing the needs, wants and style sensibilities of two people in the most-personal space in the house can be a delicate business.

“There just needs to be some compromise,” says Shugar, who launched a new bedding company, The Thread Experiment, based on that revelation.

With an aesthetic drawn from the way a stylish man might dress, he’s aiming for gender neutrality in bedding – and trying to end that stalemate for couples shopping for sheets.

We say why stop there? We’ve pulled together a recipe for a room of your own – one that suits both of you to a T.

THE BLANKET

For warmth, we like some combination of layered cotton or merino blankets and/or a lightweight down comforter. A duvet in a neutral or white, with a touch of colored or patterned blanket peeking out near the pillows, is our favorite. But an interesting, textural combo of two blankets slouching across the bed is another cool option that allows for a lot of flexibility in design and comfort.

THE LAMP

Follow the same approach you took with tables – to each his (or her) own. Bedtime readers, ideally, need light that can be aimed onto the page, so look for an adjustable desk lamp style. Keep it industrial and simple, or go for a style with a bit more detail – a hit of shine or color, maybe. If it’s simple illumination you’re after, choose a lamp that complements your style statement. Make sure the switch is accessible once you’re tucked under the covers, and don’t forget that floor lamps, pendants or sconces can make great bedside lamps that don’t steal any space from your bedside table.

THE BEDDING

Sheets are about comfort, so buy the best you can afford in the fabric you love most. White linen sheets are always a good pick, because you can invest in them with confidence that they will complement anything else you decide to add to the room. But if you’re inclined to go with color, there are plenty of great solids, including linen in moody colors. Want just a hit of color or pattern? Try buying a set of pillowcases in a contrasting fabric – they’re the least-expensive way to keep your design fluid.

THE RUG

The rug should serve to soften a bedroom – it instantly makes things a touch more quiet, for starters. But it also adds a great style opportunity. Go for a pattern, but keep things fairly neutral – add a little graphic energy but don’t overwhelm a room that is meant to be restful. On the other hand, if you’ve got a love of color, the rug might be a great opportunity. Peeking out from under a bed, a statement rug isn’t overbearing, and a partner who shies away from bold pattern won’t feel so intimidated.

THE TABLE – SMART AND STYLISH

If you’re charged with doing the decorating, look at your partner’s side of the bed to see what’s there before choosing a nightstand. Does he work in bed, needing space for his laptop and files or other papers to sprawl? Does she need space for just her iPad and an occasional cup of tea? Look for tables with a drawer or other storage if there’s stuff to be contained, look for a lower shelf if a stack of books tends to build up by the bed, look for surface area if you’ve got a roommate who works in bed.