We have all heard of “man caves” by now. But what about mom-caves or “she-sheds?” While some more .. shall we say … “traditional” folks may say that the entire home is a woman’s domain, times are a-changin’! Many women (if not most) work outside the home these days and could use a little respite after a long day’s work — just as working men always have craved. It’s only fair that if the guys get a man cave to dwell in when they need a break from family life, that the ladies do, too. Hence, she-sheds. Also called mom caves, they are not that awe-inspiring of a notion: what’s more awe-inspiring is that they weren’t on the radar until as of late.
Perhaps it is the fact that feminist issues have more of a voice nowadays with the internet and social media. Perhaps it is the fact that women are making more money and can “splurge” on treating themselves. Perhaps it’s just because women deserve it as much as her kids with their playhouses or game rooms, or spouses with their sports-themed basements or bars. No longer are the ladies of the house confined to stereotypical home spaces: the kitchen, the garden, the laundry room, a bubble bath. No, no, no. We want MORE.
Give us prettily-decked-out sheds where we can knit, or write, or rock out on our guitars. Give us little huts in the backyard where we can sip on some tea, or wine, and practice yoga. Or nap. Give us a little bungalow where we can catch up on trashy reality TV shows in sweats without judgment or distraction. Give us meditation spaces. Give us a craft room or a gift wrapping space. A dressing room. A reading nook. A tipi. Give us “mom caves” complete with whatever our heart desires. Maybe that includes our family members or pets. Maybe it doesn’t.
It’s archaic and outdated to assume that women — especially mothers — don’t want or need a space of their own. While many times women are the heart of a household, it doesn’t mean that their household is ALL that they are.
So take a look at these rockin’ she-sheds, mom-caves, and lady-spaces … and tell us: would you like one of your own?
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Paragon Homes has been building custom homes in the Pittsburgh area for nearly 25 years. In that time they have come to be recognized as one of the premier custom home builders in Western Pa. In fact they have been honored to receive over 25 Housing Excellence Awards from the Builders and Realtors Associations of Metropolitan Pittsburgh and the Washington County Builders Association including several for New Custom Home of the Year designations. You can reach Paragon Homes at 412-787-8807, or visit us online at http://www.visitparagonhomes.com
Ashley Boynes-Shuck is a well-known blogger, published author, and social media professional from Pittsburgh, PA. She was voted Best Blogger in Pittsburgh and Who to Follow on Twitter 2010, one of Pittsburgh’s Top 40 Under 40 for 2011, a 2012 Woman of the Year and Athena Young Professional awards candidate, one of Pittsburgh’s Most Influential Twitter Users by the Pittsburgh Business Times, and happily lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh with her husband, dogs, frogs, and cats! In her free time she focuses on advocacy and volunteer work, as well as rooting on the Pittsburgh sports teams!