ChitownLiving | Chicago Real Estate + Life

MEN RECLAIMING SPACE IN THE HOME … that’s the title of an article in the latest buyer representative HotSheet (email newsletter) I get from Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC). Having just taken the REBAC, Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) course and receiving the ABR designation I now am fortunate to receive yet another newsletter filled with info. Here is an excerpt of the article …

A century ago, male-centered rooms were common household features among the well-to-do. Billiards rooms and so-called “snuggeries” were a man’s respite from domestic life. Since then, the male space has been absorbed into the rest of the home. However, more American males seem to be responding by making a concerted effort to reclaim their space. “Ninety-eight percent of men want a space of their own, and the other 2% lie about it,” says Sam Martin, author of the forthcoming book, Manspace: A Primal Guide to Marking Your Territory. (Source: MSN Real Estate) Visit MSN for the full story.

I read the article and I love the concept. But in my house I have a manspace with rules. While I got (was allowed to get) a plasma TV and nice surround sound system, my wife gave me rules. First, all the cables had to be hidden. Huh? This meant that I had to drill many holes in our cabinetry to hide the front left and right channel speakers. This also meant that I would have had to go into the ceiling, under the floor, or under the rug (god forbid) for rear left and right speakers, so alas, no rear speakers. Second, the speakers can not be too visible. Huh again? I have two small bookshelf speakers for front left and right. Needless to say, the center channel would have been way too visible so no center channel. I do have a subwoofer though, however, when we have a movie playing with a great soundtrack my wife always thinks the house is falling down. Third, no blinky lights visible. All stereo components must be hidden. Bummer, as half the fun showing off the system is to have a full cabinet of glowing stereo components. I had to hide all behind cabinets. Fourth, never turn the volume up past 2, which is barely audible to the human ear … except to my wife who thinks it is too loud, always too loud. Wierd. Love to kid my wife about this stuff but seriously I do need a manroom to call my own. As king of my castle, I declair my next house will have a manroom … now if only I had a say in the matter. I’ll need to run it by the boss.