MAN CAVE!

Countless books have been written and movies made about the extra special room in the house where boys get to meet with "da boyz" and do boys things and talk about boys stuff! In a nutshell, The Man Cave / Mantuary / Manspace is a little sanctuary that allows us guys to follow our interests in a personalized environment without fear of upsetting any female sensibility about house decor or design. #Happy Face!

Over the years, the Man Cave has become a new addition to many new homes, men coming home from a hectic day feel that having a refuge where they can find themselves is VIP in the task of taking good care of their family's needs! Ladies; well ask my wife and she'll tell you that she's not into caves and prefers chilling in the deliciousness of the kitchen! Lucky me!

Now where and how this space is set aside all depends on how much space you have in terms of a room OR whether a room can be added on to accommodate for it. Some Man Caves are created in the basement (not a very common space in the Republic I know), a garage can be re-designed to your specifications or a room can simply be built on to your existing home. As long as it's a space that can be transformed to house those things that make you tick and help you to relax, that's all that counts!

Now ladies, don't be too hard on us and say that's just a workshop of sorts - NO, its our spot and it's very important to us to have a space to tinker in, for having our mates around and keeping our toys safe! Let me show you a few other examples - note that today, all the pictures are BIG and CENTERED because today's blog is the most important yet!

I'm not going to get all technical on the colour's of the walls, the type of flooring or what fittings work best! It's what's IN the room that counts! Nice examples of a "social" Man Cave include things like A BIG LCD HD FLAT SCREEN, some comfy couches, possibly a bar with a WELL STOCKED FRIDGE, a pool table or dart board
and a good sound system! Some guys like fast cars and bikes, so, if that's the case, then what more do you need other than a BIG LCD HD FLAT SCREEN and your "ride"?

Now, before you feel discouraged by the idea because unlike a few select you don't have a few horses to park in your Man Cave, remember - the spot is to keep alive the things that you are interested in and not to have a room for showing off your latest cabbie in your collection! If you're into fishing, then include that into the theme and make sure to include all the evidence you can of the big ones that didn't get away.

Mostly, guys just like the idea of shooting a bit of pool, having a beer whilst their favourite tune plays with the rugby on in the background! Some of the same but different ideas to get you thinking!

Go big, put in a putting green, a vending machine, video games, musical instruments (make sure you've sound proofed the room though), a boxing ring - it's your spot so what ever floats your boat is really ok! Now, the girls do say that because they're not allowed in that it's up to you to keep it clean, so here's an idea - offer it to the ladies for book club! In that way, she'll help you keep it clean!

If you're a rugga fan, theme it, again what ever floats your boat!

Just keep in mind that you want it to be a spot that your mates want to visit and have lots of options of things to do and then sit one side and chill whilst having a cold one!

If you prefer the more sophisticated look and feel, I haven't by any means excluded you - here's a fine looking pad for you!

And LASTLY, if you're a good story teller and you want to ensure that the boys know all about the days way back when you got all those battle scars - be sure to have your spot a carbon copy of the below! Just enjoy it - have fun, ciao Alain

Children's bathrooms

Today we're going to visit the bathroom again - no, not like an American would; we're exploring the set up with children in mind. We'll consider bathroom ideas for both little ones and little adults - remember, they don't like to be called children!

I feel today however I don't need to 'say' too much at all, given that like when we read with children, a book with lots of pictures is far more interesting than blah blah blah. So its going to be picture blog with just a little blah blah! I'll make a few points but that's it!

Bathrooms for little ones
COLOUR - don't be scared to be daring and use interesting, inviting and lively shades! Using colour doesn't mean an excessive dramatisation where every square inch is "bont" and looks like a truck carrying various shades of paint smashed through the wall. I mean, use colour in a classy style where it is the accent and not the booming voice! Introduce colour to the bath, or the walls, or accessories or the floor and hopefully you'll mix it up where more than one of what I've mentioned has an expressive shade. Children love colour and love it when they have a bathroom that looks as though it belongs to them.

Accessories and fittings
I'm going to reiterate that it's a child's bathroom, make it exciting and fun! Today, we are spoiled for choice with all the exciting fittings and fixtures - this magical time of life passes quickly, keep it magical where possible.

Be purposeful in looking for fixtures, fittings and accessories such as mirrors, stools, basins, towel rails, lights, cabinets and even bins that children would LOVE! A screed with a mosaic motif on the floor is also a great way of adding interesting fun detail. Its such a novel and exciting project to work on - YOU will have fun planning and seeing it take shape!

Little aDUltS
They won't admit it but, as much as they think they're 'into' the adults realm of design, little adults really enjoy a space that talks their language and again - looks as though it belongs to them! Creating a masculine or feminine bathroom is as easy as creating a space that suits both! Have a look!

The difference in designing a bathroom for older children is in the use of the types and colour combinations and that we don't add as many accessories as we would to a younger child's bathroom. Older children prefer a minamalistic look with an accessory or two. Keep it simple - but make a statement! The floor is often key in your accentuation!

There you have it!