THE MASCULINE TOUCH
LUXURY LIVING HOME u
THE MASCULINE TOUCH
Men are shaping the luxury home amenity landscape as never before : From intimate retreats for smoking cigars , playing poker , or enjoying a prized rifle collection to elaborate rooms with billiards as the centerpiece .
BILLIARDS
A pool or billiards table can be a work of art . Little wonder , then , that they now command prime space in an estate ’ s main living areas .
CIGAR ROOMS
The same cannot be said for other fraternal nooks , which are happily relegated to intimate spots on the estate property , rather than a main living area . Take the cigar room , for instance .
One person ’ s “ perfume ” can wrinkle another family member ’ s nose . A cigar ’ s aroma is often an acquired taste . That ’ s why cigar rooms are intentionally located in an estate ’ s out-of-the-way corners and are equipped with elaborate filtering systems to scrub the smoke before extracting it outside . These smoking dens are designed with rich paneling , leather furnishings , wooden blinds , and stone fireplaces — stereotypically male materials that don ’ t absorb smoke in the same way cloth and upholstery does . In cigar rooms , upscale humidors , cutters , lighters , and ashtrays are , of course , de rigueur .
SPORTING DISPLAYS
Likewise , masculine enclaves such as poker rooms ( with sports memorabilia front and center ) or rooms showcasing , say , a rifle or hunting collection , are frequently tucked away on the estate .
The elegant designs of these retreats prevail , with comfort being the main design driver , and conversation pits to encourage taletelling and bonding among friends .
“ It is no longer about storage , but rather entertainment and enjoying your collection with like-minded friends . My client is passionate about his guns . You wind down a fantastic staircase with walls of stone to an area with the wine cellar , a wet bar , and the secure and paneled gun room with a seating area . At this level of high end real estate , individuals create the environment that reflects their personality .”
Tom Drougas , Sun Valley Real Estate , Sun Valley , Idaho
232 LUXURY LIVING