Embracing the 'new feminine': After a turn toward masculine styles, ladylike colors and accents are back in home décor

A year ago, menswear-inspired decorating was wildly popular. Interior designers hung sharply tailored draperies alongside furniture covered in pinstripes. Sophisticated shades of gray were everywhere, as was navy blue.

But "since the pendulum always swings, we're starting to see fresh feminine spaces," says interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn, "regardless of who lives in them."

The trend that designers are calling "the new feminine" isn't a return to an excess of florals, shabby-chic lace and other cliches of feminine decor from a decade ago. Instead, "feminine style" has evolved into "an aesthetic that's classic with a soft, eclectic spin," says Flynn, founder of Flynnside Out Productions.

In this photo provided by Brian Patrick Flynn/HGTV.com, Flynn used all classic elements when designing this master bathroom for a female client. The floor tile and claw foot tub are classic and gender neutral; however, the space was made feminine with easily changeable elements such as the crystal chandelier and lavender wall color. (AP Photo/Brian Patrick Flynn/HGTV.com, Rustic White Photography)

Pretty is back, but designers are using traditional florals on furniture with edgy, sleek lines to create modern mashups. Even the color pink has enjoyed a makeover: Pantone's "color of the year" for 2015 is a sexy, dark pink called "Marsala."

"There was a period in design when 'pretty' or 'feminine' were considered bad words," says New York-based designer Young Huh. "It was considered lightweight and not serious. Ideal rooms were masculine, a bit somber, devoid of pattern and softness. Recently, there is a return to appreciating traditional design and also pretty rooms."

By line:In this photo provided by Brian Patrick Flynn/HGTV.com, a dining room designed by Flynn gives folk art a more sophisticated spin by pairing rustic elements with clean tailored accents such as the custom drapery and a soft dove gray wall color. Flynn is often tasked with putting a softer spin on rustic farmhouse style for his female clients who long for a fresh spin on shabby chic. (Cutline Email/Stock:Brian Patrick Flynn/HGTV.com ~ Associated Press)

Believe it or not, Huh says, "there is a new generation discovering chintz and florals."

So how do we pull off this new look to give rooms a beautiful, feminine touch without getting too "girly?"

__CONTRAST IS KEY__

Anne Maxwell Foster and Suysel dePedro Cunningham, the designers behind the design firm Tilton Fenwick, suggest layering a feminine room with an eclectic mix of furniture and patterns.

"We love traditional-style upholstery details (like a gathered skirted chair, for example), but aren't afraid to pair it with a clean and modern side table," they said in an email.

Huh also emphasizes contrast: "When I think of feminine elements, I turn toward traditional design, such as the curvilinear shapes of Louis VI pieces, floral or other nature-inspired textiles and wallpapers, trims and passementerie, and traditional curtain and furniture making," she says. "But to make the style fresh and modern, make sure the room contains contrasting elements that are edgy, clean and contemporary. ... Having modern bookcases, simple molding and contemporary architectural lighting make the feminine embellishments look new and fresh within that context."

__SHAKE UP THE COLORS__

Pink is possible, but it doesn't have to be your starting point.

"I've been designing and decorating homes for eight years, and not once has a female client asked for a pink room," says Flynn. "There are so many colors to choose from that add a soft, feminine spin. ... You can never go wrong with white on white, but if that's too impractical, mint green and red, lavender and white, and turquoise mixed with just about anything are excellent modern-day feminine options."

If your heart is set on pink, he says, "pair it with navy blue. Dark blue and muted pink strike a gender-neutral balance and also create a super preppy vibe."

The Tilton Fenwick designers suggest uncommon color pairings.

"Color combinations like olive green and turquoise, for example, feel unique and fresh rather than stuffy and dated," they say. "It allows you to use traditional patterns in fabrics and textiles without feeling dowdy."

This photo provided by Brian Patrick Flynn and HGTV.com shows This laundry room, designed by Flynn, is covered in a high energy hue which many of his clients ask for, aqua. Flynn suggests using bold color schemes in feminine spaces to make them fun rather than more expected tones such as muted pinks, lilac and coral. (AP Photo/Brian Patrick Flynn/HGTV.com, Rustic White Photography)

One of Huh's favorite tricks for giving a feminine room edge is to add black (or another "masculine" color).

"Paint some molding black, the legs of a chair, add black trim to traditional chintz pillows and all of a sudden you've made that 'nice girl' look sexy," she says.

__DON'T FEAR THE FLOWERS__

Although an overload of floral patterns will look dated, don't avoid flowers completely if you love them.

"Florals are a great starting point for a feminine feel," but pair them with a more modern and clean palette, say the designers at Tilton Fenwick. They also suggest mixing in "more modern or unexpected furniture pieces, art and accessories -- a modern photograph for example -- that adds a layer of interest."

__BREAK THE RULES__

If a client wants some shabby chic, Flynn gives it an eclectic twist. "Instead of the classic shabby chic look of white lace, weathered ivory finishes and lots of silver," he says, "I like to simply stick with weathered wooden finishes in high-energy colors, then mix hand-woven or blocked prints in. This results in a well-traveled look packed with organic textures and shapes."

Take it a step further and you've got what Flynn calls "rustic elegance" -- "the clever juxtaposition of weathered finishes and farmhouse elements mixed with clean, tailored lines."

"I just completed a dining room which my female client wanted to feel very folk-art-inspired," he says. "To pull it off, we covered the walls and windows with a soft shade of gray, added tailored drapery and then brought in almost all worn, weathered pieces. While there are definitely moments of femininity, the space is just as appealing to men as it is to women."