Dear Dana: Lucky guy to have a wife that wants to make his dream room come true! I think we should be able to come up with something that he will be comfortable in that will still look great.

One of my favorite looks for a den or “guy’s retreat” is the British Colonial style. It ‘s a look that embraces warm leathers, animal print patterns, and darker, woodsy colors, yet it also has a lighter side that features wicker and/or bamboo furniture, jute or sisal rugs and potted palms. It is an interesting mix of flavors and textures born out of the tension of Victorian customs having to meld and mesh with tropical lands and peoples, not always an easy marriage.

So, to start, what to do with the walls. The easiest and least expensive solution, of course, is paint, and any light ivory/sand shade would do. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, consider a grass cloth type wall covering, maybe even a beaded board wainscoting with the grass cloth above. If you are really into creating the look, you might want to consider working with actual bamboo poles (split) that you could cover one or more walls with.

What does he enjoy? Rooms done in this style are perfect for displaying the accoutrements of his favorite passions. Fishing creel and fly rod look as great on the wall as a lawn croquet mallet might once have, as would a golf club or two. Hunting and/or fishing prints are right at home, or the more traditional exotic flora/fauna prints look perfect and are not too fussy for his retreat. Any type of nautical memorabilia looks right at home here too.

Let your guy pick out his chair. With a bit of luck you may be able to steer him away from the plaid recliner and over to a leather club chair and ottoman. If the room is large enough a sofa would be nice for those times when a quick nap is called for. Maybe you could even find one of those fabulous old leather ones that occasionally show up in yard sales. One of two smaller rattan or bamboo chairs will help lighten the heaviness of the leather.

Window coverings should be light and airy and can be fabric (linen or twill), or wood, bamboo, grass, etc. shades. In a room like this you want to go for texture, since the color scheme is somewhat monochromatic in shades of ivory, beige, taupes, browns and black. Small splashes of color (yellows, pale blues and terracotta) can be easily introduced with a sofa throw or accent pillows.

Books – books are the ultimate decorator statement in a room of this type, and although old volumes with leather bindings might be visually preferable, a collection of Sidney Sheldon, Stephen King and John Grisholm will look equally at home. Add a touch of whimsy with a zebra rug – no, not a real skin, either a faux pelt or throw rug. Some of the faux furs look very realistic and would make fun throw pillows, or use some to frame some of the pictures. If he wants a TV (and we must assume he will) it can be easily hidden in a bamboo or woven grass cabinet or armoire (check out the import stores for the occasional great buy on these).

Need a few more ideas? Old suitcases make great storage and three stacked together can serve as a low table. If you can find ones with old travel labels on them, so much the better. If he doesn’t balk at the idea, a bamboo birdcage looks terrific and we like putting a fake fish in it, rather than a living feathered creature.