I think the pattern is pretty much irrelevant. Just choose fabrics other than flowers - mottled, suede look, batiks (not too floral), outdoor related, etc. My husband picked a quilt pattern with 3 colors (2 primary plus a blender). I started it in a class, and mine was very "manly" and some of the others very "girly" strictly due to fabric choices. I do recommend making girlfriend or boyfriend quilts pretty simply though. There is enough time to make another fancier quilt if the relationship lasts (spoken by the woman who made a very nice quilt for DS's 2 year girlfriend only to have them break up 2 weeks later). Very simple quilts can be very lovely with good choice of fabrics.
Pam