Ideas For Man Caves and Say Hello to the McLaren MP4-12C aka P11

Interior Design: Man caves... what are they?
Road Trip: Introducing the newest baby to the family, the McLaren MP4-12C
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Interior Design: Man caves... what are they and can they really be created with organization :)

Man caves.....what in the world is a man cave? Well don't worry! It's just a buzz word for a room where the guys can hang out. A man cave is not a new idea over time they have been called cigar rooms, smoking lounges, media rooms and studies.

I did a little research and it seems like a lot of new homebuyers are looking for this 'man cave' and it is a fairly important feature. So if you want to add a 'man cave' to your home there are a few features you always want to try to incorporate into it.

Always have a flat screen television, large couches and chairs, full bar, and lots of storage. You can add things like a pool table, darts, fridge, etc depending on your space. You should also consider the area you live in when designing it. For example I live in Nashville Tennessee - it would probably be a good idea to include in the design a small recording studio or band space in the room because so many musicians live in Nashville.

Here are some really great ideas for 'man caves' and always remember to consult a interior designer, real estate agent or licensed contractor before starting any home renovation project!

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Road Trip: Introducing the newest baby to the family, the McLaren MP4-12C

Say hello to the newest baby of the McLaren family, the MP4-12C (also known by its codename P11). The sleek design, luxury interior and delicious surprise under the hood would even make your grandmother blush.

Under the hood you will find a 3.8 liter V8 engine that can produce around 600 horsepower and 433 lb-ft of torque. The carbonfiber body makes going 0-60 in a little over 3 seconds a snap. Oh, and it has top speeds in the 200mph range.

If you are interested in this car expect it on sale late 2010 (Europe) and early 2011. It's generously priced at about $265,000 USD (£160,000). OK! So it isn't an ultra car, but it sure is a pretty baby.

Eco-friendly room materials and an electric supercar that goes 125mph...the 2010 Tesla Roadster

Interior Design: Eco-Friendly Room Materials
Road Trip: Look out oil tycoons, the 2010 Tesla Roadster has arrived
Design Inspiration: Sticky Bathroom by 3rdfloor
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Interior Design: Eco-Friendly Room Materials

Using materials that are eco-friendly isn't just a trend, it's quickly becoming a must. Homebuyer's are looking for energy efficient (and recycled) materials from top to bottom and from floors to appliances. But what exactly are eco-friendly materials?

Eco-friendly, in this case, simply means you are reusing materials that have been recycled rather than cutting, chopping or mining out all new materials to be used in your home.

A great thing about using eco-friendly materials, other than the obvious, is that the materials are much easier to find due to rising demand. For building you can find and use recycled metal tiles, bamboo, cork, recycled glass tiles, and reclaimed wood. Make sure to consult your interior designer and licensed contractor for all of the options available to you for use in your project.

There are many, many options available for creating and eco-friendly home, here are a few examples:


Recycled Metal Tiles: Add sophistication to any space with these tiles.

Bamboo:
An affordable, durable and easy option for your home.

Cork:
What a great way to add texture to a room, reduce sound (great idea to use on the walls of a media room), and give a unique look to a space (below):

Recycled Glass Tiles:
Gorgeous! Simply stunning when done correctly.

Reclaimed Wood:
A great addition to any room whether in stairs, flooring, furniture or cabinets.

 

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Road Trip: Look out oil tycoons, the 2010 Tesla Roadster has arrived

I guess we all knew the truth....that luxury electric supercars existed. But if you are like me you may have doubted it, as electric cars all seem to be so....so......hmm......weak? plain? boring??

Well, perhaps part of the problem is because oil companies have tried to keep electric cars off the market since the first ones were recalled in the 1950s and destroyed. But the stars finally aligned for Tesla, a once struggling company on the brink of bankruptcy.

And my goodness what an alignment it was. The 2010 Tesla Roadster is a sports car for every type of person. Can't drive manual cars? No problem. Can't afford the gas to drive a luxury supercar on a regular basis? No problems here. Want something that actually looks good and like a luxury supercar? No Problem.

The 2010 Tesla Roadster combines energy efficiency, beauty, and power into one gorgeous vehicle.

The most common gripes about electric cars are power and design. The traditional cars are slow, and rather plain but - as you guessed - the Roadster passes those tests without any problems. 

The 2010 Tesla Roadster comes as a 2 seat, open top, rear-drive sports car. The base version of the car goes 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and the sport edition does it in 3.7 - not bad for an automatic.

The base model has 288 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and the sport edition has 288 hp and 295 lb-ft torque, and both have a top speeds of electronically controlled at 125 mph (keep in mind: electric car).

But what about the battery? No worries, it comes with a custom microprocessor-controlled lithium-ion battery that will last you about 7 years or 100,000 miles. The Roadster can go 244 miles on 1 charge, and you can plug in to charge at hotels, gas stations, your home or garage - anywhere there is an outlet. It also has options for additional accessories that will help charge your battery if you aren't near a plug.

As with all luxury supercars, the 2010 Tesla Roadster isn't cheap. The Roadster Sport starts at $128,500 in the United States and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe...so it's really affordable for a supercar. They are currently taking orders so you can go right ahead and give them a call.

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Design Inspiration: Sticky Bathroom by 3rdfloor

I came across this really great blog in the UK called MyDeco.com. It is a community of interior designers who can create rooms, comment on others designs, read about current design trends and tips from amazing guest bloggers, and check out great products for the home.

One design I saw and wanted to share was called 'Sticky Bathroom' by 3rdfloor. He has designed a room that gives the illusion of depth, combines modern trends with a younger feel and the room just really pops. I also love the use of stencils or stick-ons, little creative touches can add so much to a room.

The Garage: Unique and Custom Looks & The World's 1st 'Designer Garage'

Real Estate: Custom Garages

One feature that seems very unique to a home is a detached garage - and in some cases one at all. A garage is a very valuable real estate feature. So, why is it such a icky place for most people? Simple: most people view a garage as a storage unit and not as a desirable feature to their home.

If you think a garage has no value then ask someone who adores cars, or even...car manufacturers??

Oh yes - it had to be done and now it has! The car manufacturer Citreon unveiled the world's first 'designer garage' for its new executive model the C6. They designed a garage to go with the car, amazing.

The garage has transparent sliding plates created from reinforced polycarbonate sheets with LCD layers that allow for opacity when you decide you want a little privacy in the garage. The sliding plate doors allow entry from both sides.

In awe yet?? Well, you're about to be. The garage alone costs $179,885 (£112,330). So, if you are a high roller you should pull out the checkbook and get you one of the world's first designer garages, but if you are like me....you might just want to check out these garage inspirations below.

Remember that a garage doesn't have to be a metal white exterior - try wood opening side doors rather than the traditional unit that closes from above. Always, always, always have organizational units or racks in your garage that are clutter free and clean.

Outdoor Rooms That Wow..take a look

Interior Design: Outdoor Rooms

So, if you still haven't heard the new buzz word for 2010 it is 'outdoor room'. As budgets shrink and vacations get cut it seems like everybody wants the option of a 'stay-cation'.

A great way to ad value to your home, and create a relaxing and inviting patio space, is to create an outdoor room. An outdoor room is essentially your patio or deck and maybe a little extra space - but using interior design themes to decorate it. Instead of using your deck or patio as a storage space for flowers, cans, lawn equipment and random patio furniture - take the opportunity to really create a getaway that is both relaxing and a great space for entertaining.

If you are thinking 'I really can't afford this' - hold on a second! Sometimes it's more afforable than you think. If you already have furniture just spruce it up with spray paint, fresh potted flowers in large 'roman/greek pots' that you can get from Big Lots or the Dollar Store. Also - hit up some garage sales and see what you can find... paint and refinish items to match your themes.

If you are still having a hard time thinking of some ideas just check these great rooms out - and always remember to consult a licensed contractor and interior designer or real estate agent before making any modifications to you home.