Isn't there something you can buy at the quilt store to look through in order to view contrasts?
Something may look beautifully coordinated to us, but if the colors have the same density(?) it might appear as the same fabric.
Maybe you can try some of that wildlife fabric that Favorite Fabrics was showing.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-67025-1.htm
It's very masculine and has some gold tones in it. Use a big piece of the fabric for the center of the quilt - like a Medallion, then put some yellow flying geese or star blocks around it.