An Easter Lake home’s sophisticated take on the man cave.
Story by Tracy Dickinson
Photography by Mirza Kudic
Featured in Spring 2024
The term man cave brings to mind neon beer signs and AstroTurf, but other winning combinations score higher on the homeowner satisfaction scale. One Easter Lake couple discovered this when they decided to transform their unfinished lower level to something extra.
Designer Traci Baldus of Blue Door Designs says, “I worked with the homeowners when they built their home several years ago. So when they were ready to finish the lower level, I was excited to be a part of the project. But I was a little hesitant about whether my idea of a man cave would match the homeowner’s.”
“I wanted a sports bar theme based on the New Orleans Saints,” says the homeowner. “I envisioned a space like the man cave at my previous home.”
The lower level had remained unfinished since the couple built the home in 2017. As they began discussing options for the space after living in the home for a number of years, the original man cave concept expanded to include an office and a guest bedroom and bath. Incorporating all those spaces and achieving a masculine sports bar vibe sounded like an impossible goal to the homeowners. But Baldus was the right call.
“I was afraid her ideas might be a little too feminine for what I was envisioning,” says the homeowner. “But after conversations with Traci, she won me over. She helped me see that sophisticated can still be masculine. She was like my personal Michael Jordan, coming up with all the right plays.”
Having worked with Baldus on the main level, the homeowners knew that she could not just help decorate but could create a full design for the lower level. “We asked her to help guide us with the entire floor plan as well as the design,” the homeowners say. “And her advice on that layout was really important to us.”
“We talked about different options, but it really came down to how they were going to use the space most and what suited their vision best,” says Baldus.
Once the floor plan was settled, the finish ideas became the focus. Baldus, not an avid football fan, wasn’t sure what colors the homeowner would expect her to incorporate. Fortunately, the team in question sports one of the trendiest color combinations in design today.
“The black and gold color scheme is a sophisticated combination,” Baldus says. “We wanted to create a space that was masculine and fit the sports bar vision the homeowner wanted, but still feel comfortable and welcoming to guests when it wasn’t football season.”
“She helped me see that sophisticated can still be masculine. She was like my personal Michael Jordan, coming up with all the right plays.”
Homeowner
As Baldus began gathering ideas for the space, she discovered a wallpaper that she felt was the perfect starting point. The homeowner wasn’t so sure.
“Initially, I wasn’t sure about the wallpaper,” he says. “But Traci had done such a good job with the main floor space, I trusted her judgment. After the wallpaper was up, it looked amazing, and I’m really glad we went with her recommendation.”
A contemporary blend of horizontal strips in deep blues, grays, and metallics, the wallpaper anchors the space, providing a focal point for the bar and television area. Black and gold pendant lights over the bar play off the gold tones in the wallpaper and the fixtures throughout the bar area.
Countertops, cabinetry, and finishes in deep grays and blacks with bronze accents echo the New Orleans Saints colors. Furnishings in lighter grays soften the space, but the tweedy fabrics give a more masculine touch.
“A fireplace wasn’t part of the original plan,” Baldus says. “But as we began fleshing out the design, the homeowners decided they really wanted one. It ended up being the perfect touch.”
The homeowner says, “I wanted a big TV, a fireplace, and a bar area. Traci gave me everything I wanted and more. The whole project exceeded my expectations.”
In addition to the sophisticated man cave, Baldus designed a comfortable guest bedroom and a full bath, as well as a home office.
“Finding the right balance between man cave and guest space was a big part of the design process,” says Baldus. “We created spaces for the homeowner to display football memorabilia, and we framed some sports-themed photography. But we also added custom pieces, like the bar-height table. The finished space is still masculine but sophisticated.”
The homeowners are so pleased with the project that they hosted Christmas there and have plans to host next year’s Super Bowl as well.
“I knew Traci would be detail-oriented and straightforward,” the homeowner says. “She always finds a way to incorporate our ideas that works in the space. The way we see it, she was the MVP of this whole project.”
No matter how you look at it, this sophisticated man cave is a win. •
Resources
- Interior Design Traci Baldus of Blue Door Designs