Home is more than four walls and roof. Home is a door opening to you, your family, your pets, your lifestyle, your neighborhood, your community, your city. It’s all encompassing on so many levels.
Your Man Cave Called. It Wants to Grow Up.
The man cave had potential all along. Here's how to create a sophisticated, comfortable space that actually feels like him — no word art or throw pillows required.
Dad, Use Your Words!
There is a man in your life who, when asked what he wants for Father's Day, will say "nothing." When asked how he wants his living room to look, will say "I don't know, whatever you think." When shown two throw pillows, will say "they look the same to me."
Psssh, he might not be saying it, but he does care and is screaming inside with ideas.
That very same man has very strong opinions about his chair. He knows exactly where the remote goes. He has a specific spot for his coffee cup and a quiet but firm reaction when someone moves his stuff. He cares. He just hasn't been given permission to care out loud.
So this one's for him. And honestly, for whoever is shopping for him.
Sophisticated Dad decor is not a contradiction. It's actually one of the most satisfying design challenges there is — spaces that feel lived in but intentional, comfortable but not sloppy, personal without being precious. Think leather that actually gets better with age. Wood tones that feel warm instead of builder grade. A bookshelf that holds real things he actually reads or collects, not decorative objects that exist purely to be dusted.
The formula is pretty simple: start with one anchor piece he genuinely loves — the worn leather chair, the vintage record cabinet, the bar cart he built himself — and build the room around that. Let the thing he already chose tell you the story of the room.
Creating a space for Dad shiuld feel intentional and not overdone.
Keep the palette grounded. Warm neutrals, deep greens, navy, whiskey browns. Nothing that requires explaining.
Layer texture over color. A wool throw, a jute rug, matte finishes on the hardware. The room should feel good to be in, not just good to look at.
Give everything a home. The man who says he doesn't care about decor absolutely cares about clutter. Built ins, trays, baskets with lids. Contain the chaos and he will love the room without knowing why.
Make it smell right. A cedar candle or a leather diffuser does more for a space than most people realize. Scent is the detail that makes a room feel finished.
Rooms like this are just as important in value as the “craft room”. Dad needs a space to call his own just like anyone else and when you create these areas in a home, the story gets broader. When it’s time to sell, purchasers can see versatility and inclusiveness that goes beyond the standard spaces.
I think a lot of men want some class and elegance in their lives. Not in a pretentious, untouchable way — but in a "this room actually feels like me" way. A place that absorbs the weight of a hard day the moment they walk through the door. Somewhere they can decompress alone or pull their people together and just be able to hang in comfort.
They just never felt like they were allowed to ask for that.
So consider this permission. His space should be his own, something more than a recliner pointed at a TV. No word art or throw pillows with inspirational quotes. Just a room with some soul, some comfort, and enough intention to make it clear that the man who lives here knows where home is.
Essential Dad Tips
Being a single dad can be overwhelming, but here are few tips that could help while you balance out the transition.
Dan and Morella Shebaylo at Forest Hill Park
Photo by: Jo Ann Breaux
A Few Single Dad Tips
Some dads are super hands on while others have let their significant others take that role. As a single dad, you no longer have them to handle the day to day. Being prepared for visitation will show them you got this, and ensure your kids have not one, but two great homes!
Learn to cook food that doesn’t come from a can
Don’t talk bad about your former partner in front of them
Always have a first aid kit, medications, ie. allergy, aspirin, tylenol on hand
Bandaids in bulk!
Always have a surplus of diapers if needed
Make sure a list of all emergency numbers are on the fridge or easily found (this is for you and the kids)
Make sure your fire alarms are working properly
Make sure they have clothes that fit them properly that include dress clothes and dress shoes
If you’ve got a teenage daughter make sure she has the essential feminine products as well as her favorite makeup
Make sure there is space for both you and your kids. Most single dads get apartments after the split, you want enough space where they can be comfortable and feel safe.
Get some games, books, puzzles, video games for the house
Always have some sort of plans on the weekends, this will save valuable time and also create some balance with their playtime vs yours
Remember, your house, your rules. You and your ex will have different ones so establish that with your kids so there’s no confusion.
Don’t introduce them to a new mate right away, give it a minute to see if you like them first (3-5 months is suggested)
Plenty of snacks!
Find kids their age in the neighborhood you’re living in or make playdates with schoolmates
Get a seasons pass to an amusement park, a museum, season tickets to ball games, swimming pools, etc.
Make sure they do their homework and that you are also a primary contact with the school. I’ve seen a lot of single dads miss their kid’s events because they weren’t informed
Co-Parent, civilly and patiently. For some this is difficult, but one solid conversation with your ex where you establish that you are going to be there as their father and that you should work together and communicate effectively in raising your kids.
Keep “daddy’s things” locked up
Don’t forget the bedtime stories
Spend time with them and have fun, that’s all they really want
I’m sure I’m missing some stuff here, but feel free to add some in the comments section!
At Home with Dad
Happy Father’s Day! Check out these cool tips and ideas for starting over again in a space you and your kids will enjoy.
This one is going out to all the single Dads out there. Starting over is never easy for anyone, but most single dads are also creating new living spaces to balance out being single again as well as accommodating those weekly visits with the kids. We’ve gotten pretty used to seeing inviting decor from women with a room for the dudes, ie. the basement game lounge or the garage tinker zone, but what are we seeing in their new solo environments?
Lucifer (Fox)
From musician to geeky to sporty, dads run the gambit. Guys tend to have more monochrome color schemes and sharper edges. Creating your dad space can be fun and you can still create an inviting space for your guests and your offspring. Here are a few ideas for those special dads:
Chordially Invited
Musician Dads, I know a ton of them. Guitar strings strewn about and maybe a buried drumstick in the couch, you can show your love of music while harmoniously classing it up.
Hanging musical instruments nicely on a wall (NOT ALL Walls)
Add some framed art by displaying your fave artists or instruments
Frame your band posters/flyers
Use non functioning instruments as shelving alternatives
Add a record listening station
Create a music room so you and the kids can have “rehearsal”
Use warm tones and relaxed furniture
Create microphone lamps
Mid-century modern seems to attract these types
Son of A Geek
You know them. They have 100 Star Wars figurines mounted on a wall or a life size replica of Iron Man’s suit. Remember neatly displayed versus vomitfest of collectables.
Curio Cabinets are great for Vader, Skywalker, and Solo to hang out
Maybe keep all the “toys” nicely shelved and displayed in one room but keep signature pieces out for conversation starters
Frame old comic books
A gaming area of course (uncluttered)
Use Lego for decor
Keep collectables neatly displayed
Get geeky wallpaper for the half bath (think Star Wars Toille)
Smart home equipped
Have fun with videogamed themed color palettes
Display old gaming systems
Room Ideas from Modsy
My Dad is Old World
The intellectual father has more reserved, but stylish tastes. Think Harry Potter vibes…
Card Catalogs for Furnishings
A Reading Nook for those bedtime stories
Have an ongoing Chess area - intellectual and design savvy.
Rich leather and velvet furniture
Dark Academia looks
Taxidermy
Maps and Globe Decor
Candles and Lanterns
Antiques including apothecary bottles, medical equipment, an old microscope perhaps
Chemistry flasks as vases
Framed schemas and patents of engineering feats
Ephemera everywhere (typewriters, cameras, bike parts)
GOAL!
We cannot dismiss our favorite sports fans, but you don’t want your living space to be or smell like an old locker room. Sports dad should be able to display their love of the game with these winning ideas.
Find sports memorabilia that you can put in shadow boxes
Framed Jerseys
Barware is a great way to root for your team in a more subtle way (Wooden coasters, team engraved glasses, etc)
Hanging skateboards with cool art makes an eye catching display
Vintage sports equipment make for balanced decorating
Use your team’s colors throughout
Trophy cases
Create a “game” room for you and the kids to play and watch your favorite matches/games
A large flat screen TV
For More Fatherly Decor:
Who’s Your Daddy
Famous TV dads explore RVA…
Photo by: Jo Ann L. Breaux
I miss my dad. This past year was rough not doing our usual visit with each other. He resides in a very small town in Louisiana, and it isn’t always the easiest jaunt. I’m thankful for one thing during Covid, it brought me closer to my distanced family. I began a routine of calling them whilst I walked, which made me a) walk longer and b) really concentrate on having a conversation with them. I think once normalcy resumes in some capacity, we will be seeing more and more family gatherings especially with our families who live afar.
One of the things I love about our city is diversity in activity. No matter what you’re into, whether you’re a sporty dad or an artsy one, there’s something for every Father here. I decided to check out what our TV dads would do in RVA for their special day! (Click to enlarge)
