Earth tones are always a safe bet for a man's colour palette. Start with a cream and go 3-4 graduations, light brown and go 3-4 graduations and so on, right through to the blues and yes! blacks... Depending on what pattern you are doing and the numbers of colours needed. Log cabin is also a safe bet for a pattern, depending on the size of the quilt, the blocks can be arranged in so many interesting variations. Good Luck...