Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/385222
photography by Eric roth photography (pEnthousE); JEssica DElanEy (loDgE) Guys need their space. We all know that. These days, the hottest man caves for the modern male range from sophisticated multimedia entertainment rooms to in-house, who-needs-a-golf-course? sporting complexes. "Although its primary function is still as a gathering and entertainment space, the finishes are more refined while remaining masculine," says Gary Rousseau, who custom-builds pieces for these dedicated rooms as the executive vice president of Herrick & White Architectural Woodworkers. "We're seeing requests for dark woods, modern curves, and bold accents." We spoke with three interior designers and architects about the latest in macho man spaces. Media Sav v y When a tech entrepreneur was itching for a private space that would mimic the feel of a rustic lodge, Thomas Catalano of Catalano Architects (115 Broad St., 617-338- 7447; catalanoinc.com) created a billiards room that also serves as a place for entertaining friends and business associates. Catalano cites "dark woods, use of stone, a bar, room for a card or game table" as the dominant trends for this type of high-end masculine retreat. He has also seen clients incorporate more personal touches, like vintage arcade games. "Most of the rooms include a 'smoke eater' so that guests can indulge in cigars, and several man caves that we've done have been adjacent to elaborate wine cellars with tasting rooms." A ll Men, A ll the Time How about a testosterone temple? Another trend in Y-chromosome designs is a private men-and-only-men space for entertaining. Architect Dan Reynolds (danielhreynolds.com) and Gary Rousseau of Herrick & White Architectural Woodworkers (3 Flat St., Cumberland, RI, 401-658- 0440; herrick-white.com) helped one client who had purchased a luxury penthouse—which could have been the perfect bachelor pad, except he wanted it filled only with bachelors. No soft music, no candlelight, just a sleek curved walnut bar, lit from below and stocked with hard liquor—and an enormous f lat-screen TV, tuned only to sports, for a guest list of 10 to 12 men. "[Man caves] are being granted a sophisticated space in the main living area of the home," Rousseau says—or, in this case, all of it. Having a Ball For the golf-obsessed modern man, architect Laura Brooks Meyer of Meyer & Meyer Architects (396 Commonwealth Ave., 617-266-0555; meyerandmeyerarchitects.com) can create an in-house retreat teeming with tees. One client, whose home overlooks the Dedham Country and Polo Club, was pining for a space where he could bring his game inside. Meyer's design revolved around a high-end golf simulator. "Since the simulator would not fit inside the home, they opted to build an ancillary entertainment structure for it," she says. "Men are looking for a place to call their own." An indoor golfer's paradise sure fits that bill. BC He-Man Retreats Man caves have evolved into elaborate hoMe spaces for gathering, entertaining, and even golf club swinging. by jessica laniewski above: Architect Dan Reynolds and woodworker Gary Rousseau created a bachelors' paradise in a luxury penthouse apartment used only for parties. left: For another bachelor client, Rousseau employed rustic wood to create a masculine feel. 126 bostoncommon-magazine.com haute property Design News