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.

Kitchen Refrigerators & Graphic Wraps and the Zenvo ST1 Supercar

Interior Design: Kitchen Refrigerators and Graphic Wraps
Road Trip: A Real Luxury Supercar, the Zenvo ST1
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Interior Design: Kitchen Refrigerators and Graphic Wraps

Everyone knows that if you want to sell a house quickly you need to have an updated kitchen. But even for those of you who are not selling your home, holidays are a great test as to whether or not you need to update it for entertaining. It might occur to you when all 15 family members are trying to squeeze between you-the stove-the ovens-and the microwave, or it might occur when your refrigerator goes out for no reason at all. Either way, chances are you will definitely know by the end of the holiday season.

A great way to begin updating your kitchen without going all out is to pant it and replace the appliances. One of the most unique and affordable ideas out there is using graphic wraps on refrigerators (like the cars that have full advertisements on them). If you have a theme to your kitchen, or want a really neat and unique kitchen space, it's perfect!

Here are a few suggestions when renovating your kitchen:

• Look for the Energy Star Seal: According to energystar.gov "All major home appliances must meet the Appliance Standards Program set by the US Department of Energy (DOE). ... Test results are printed on yellow EnergyGuide label, which manufacturers are required to display on many appliances. This label estimates how much energy the appliance uses, compares energy use of similar products, and lists approximate annual operating costs..."
• Try to use either a theme (ex: French Country Kitchen) or neutral colors with stainless steel appliances. 
• Install a water purification system

Because the kitchen tends to be the central hub of a house, you want to make sure it is welcoming, functional and stylish - but that it also goes with your house. Always do research on appliances, construction costs, and locate a real estate agent who can let you know what the market is doing in your area so you don't lose money in your renovation.

Here are some stylish refrigerators in gorgeous kitchens. Most of these refrigerators are from GE but browse online and look at your local stores to see a full assortment of what is available - get inspired!

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Road Trip: A Real Luxury Supercar, the Zenvo ST1

The Zenvo ST1 is a brand new luxury supercar from Zenvo Automotive. Recently unveiled (December 15, 2009) at the Dubai International Motor Show 2009 the ST1 is already generating a lot of buzz.

So, what's under the hood of this Danish-designed supercar? The ST1 is a 6 speed manual, 7 liter V8, 1105 HP (no, i'm not joking), is turbocharged and supercharged, and has top speeds electronically controlled at 233 mph (375 km/h)....... this beauty slaps back if you touch.

It goes 0-100 in 3 seconds flat, is rear wheel drive, and apparently can cross Demark in 18 minutes. But if you want to play with this toy, hurry. There are only 15 being made and with the competition mounting expect to pay at least 850,000 Euros or about $1,122,000 dollars (and that isn't including import fees, registration, tags, etc).