Okay I'm trying this again!
Making a surprise bday party cake for bf so design has to be simple. The colors for the party are navy blue black and silver. I had planned on doing the base in these colors but add disco or luster dust to the decorations.
The sizes are 12" square in navy, 9" round in black, 6" square in silver. 
[quote="Doug"] I do love purple (but not "that" dinosaur!)
quote]
I agree!
Your design sounds nice but true navy blue is very close to black, so it'll be dark alright. With a deep purple you would have more distinction between it and the black. Being married to a 60 something man myself I think I can say your guy will likely still be able to appreciate a darkly masculine cake for his b-day. Be sure that you post a pic when it's finished.
Good point on the shade of navy. I was thinking of a shade somewhere between true navy and royal. Maybe that helps a little?
It is so funny to me when people say something and everyone hears something else because of their own spin on things! It is one of the things I love about CC because you get so many different view points.
I think black has to be used carefully on a cake--
I think that your own worries are legit--you are questioning the darkness and it will be a dark cake. To me, it doesn't say 'happy birthday'. I'm in this same generation I'm pushing 60 myself--just my thoughts.
I don't know -- it's such a subjective choice.
I see your point about it not really saying happy birthday, but since I'm also planning the whole party I wasn't thinking of it as a birthday cake, more of an elegant yet masculine cake that adds to the theme/decor/abiance. I actually don't know how to incorperate a birthday cake into a tiered cake unless "happy birthday" is written on it, in which case I think it's a little less elegant, especially with my writting! Lol
Now thinking of dark blue (not really navy) background with large silver floral patter accented with black (either done with fondant covered in disco dust or done in painted on luster dust? Is large floral pattern (think hydrangea I think they're called) to girly?
I also think adding in some white would fix the whole thing--but if you are going for an elegant cake rather than a <shakes fingers in air like playing a piano> "Happy Birthday" cake--I think you'd have it.
I'd wanna be sure there was good lighting on it. Especially since the party will be in the evening?
Ix-nay on the hydrageas--I think.
I don't know--navy hydrangeas with silver dots and black edges would like totally rock.
But a patern on the cake hmm I'm thinking it might be girly.
Wow--these are toughies! 
Good point on the lighting. Never thought of it. Silly me.
Here is the next idea. I am going to make it its own post lol. The color iss off but picture the background as a dark ble, not navy, the flowers silver luster and the black spots in disco dust. 
I see your point about it not really saying happy birthday, but since I'm also planning the whole party I wasn't thinking of it as a birthday cake, more of an elegant yet masculine cake that adds to the theme/decor/abiance. I actually don't know how to incorperate a birthday cake into a tiered cake unless "happy birthday" is written on it, in which case I think it's a little less elegant, especially with my writting! Lol
Now thinking of dark blue (not really navy) background with large silver floral patter accented with black (either done with fondant covered in disco dust or done in painted on luster dust? Is large floral pattern (think hydrangea I think they're called) to girly?
I like your first design. My guy would like the colors but he'd see those florals and think "girly". For a guy I'd keep it sleek, masculine and minimum frills.
I see where you're going with this and I agree. You can lose the usual "Happy Birthday" theme and have a lovely celebration. Your plan sounds very nice to me. Have fun with it!
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