She-sheds? Like man-caves

[razz]

Apparently the new trend is for women to want their own space and are choosing a "she-shed" which includes a wine cooler, comfy chairs, rugs all arranged is a corner of the garden. I think that it is a hoot. Had you heard of this before?

This week's Macleans has the story on this new trend.
http://www.macleans.ca/society/goodbye-man-cave-hello-she-shed/

[ToomuchStuff]

I have heard of it in reference to a tv show, whose commercial was on a program that a relative recorded to show me. (He shed's Verses She Sheds, from memory)
I don't know how much of an actual thing it is verses a commercial to make people think they need it. In my area, most sheds are not electrified, don't have plumbing or heat/ac (except natural heat in summer, and natural a/c in winter). The money is better spent on kitchen or bathroom upgrades that it would cost to do what I saw on the commercial.
It is things like this, that make me realize why so many people are in debt.

[jp1]

I've seen commercials on hgtv for probably the same show. And I've seen a few conversations like this one discussing it. But I don't know anyone who has one or is contemplating one so I assume it's mostly just hot air.

[iris lilies]

Jp, in your part of the world, real estate is too expensive to have this sort of thing.

One of my bulldog friends had one of these built years ago.She has a medium sized ranch style house on a few acres. They ordered a shed kit and built the she-shed from that. It has electricity, but no plumbing. It had a rocking chair and a crafts table and other stuff of hers.

[Miss Cellane]

Once, when I was teaching "A Room of One's Own" to college freshmen, I asked my classes, "Do either of your parents have their own space in your house, other than the master bedroom?" About 75% said that their fathers did, either a study or den or workshop in the garage or basement. Only about 20% of the mothers did--basically everyone else said that their mother's "room" was the kitchen, which they admitted was shared by everyone else in the family.

I can complete see the need/want/desire for a woman to have a little space of her own, to be private in. But a shed in the backyard? No way.

I'd want something with heating, and maybe even cooling, and electricity and wifi, and where I could get to indoor plumbing without having to walk through the back yard.

To say nothing of wading through 2 feet of snow to get to my "she shed," or having to don raincoat and boots to get there.

I applaud the idea--I certainly think women deserve a space of their own. I reject the silly notion of an isolated, unequipped space that would be habitable maybe 6 months of the year.

[IshbelRobertson]

I have a summer house in the garden, a small wooden octagon, with a slate tiled roof. It contains one comfy chair, a small bistro table with two chairs, central light, small bookshelf. I use it to read, embroider or sketch, our weather means it's only usable during summer months. But the most important thing is... It's MINE!

[iris lilies]

Once, when I was teaching "A Room of One's Own" to college freshmen, I asked my classes, "Do either of your parents have their own space in your house, other than the master bedroom?" About 75% said that their fathers did, either a study or den or workshop in the garage or basement. Only about 20% of the mothers did--basically everyone else said that their mother's "room" was the kitchen, which they admitted was shared by everyone else in the family.

I can complete see the need/want/desire for a woman to have a little space of her own, to be private in. But a shed in the backyard? No way.

I'd want something with heating, and maybe even cooling, and electricity and wifi, and where I could get to indoor plumbing without having to walk through the back yard.

To say nothing of wading through 2 feet of snow to get to my "she shed," or having to don raincoat and boots to get there.

I applaud the idea--I certainly think women deserve a space of their own. I reject the silly notion of an isolated, unequipped space that would be habitable maybe 6 months of the year.

Well, electricity will get you heat, cooling, wifi. One could keep bottledvwater there, and pee in a bucket. I do that occasionally when gardening at one of our tiny houses that have no plumbing.

I can see the appeal of a nice little retreat on the edge of a property, or even in the woods. A short trek to get there could serve as head clearing time to transition from dailey stresses to peaceful retreat time.

[ToomuchStuff]

Thinking more on this last night, and I can think of three "sheds" that had power/heating/a/c, and those were male workshops (two woodworking, one small engine repair), so the husband was not making noise to wake up small kids. (reason for it not being a garage/basement thing)
Is it really the same thing when on acreage? Most of those on acreage I can think of, just consider them purpose built outbuildings (normally far enough from the house like a stable or storing large items/pieces of equipment).

[jp1]

Jp, in your part of the world, real estate is too expensive to have this sort of thing.

.

True enough. Although I do have coworkers that have chosen to commute from far far away that live in more typical suburban type places. Perhaps one of them has a she shed.

And actually I do know someone with outbuildings but she doesn't call any of them a she shed. One's a workshop, one's her work from home office, etc.

[JaneV2.0]

I think everyone should have their own room--or two.
Didn't those outdoor retreats used to be called "studios?" I've seen some handsome ones.

[Chicken lady]

Well, dh has a study, and half of the old basement is mine, and we live on acreage with outbuildings, so probably not relevant, but I like having my studio out in the heated, lighted, bathroom equipped pole barn because there is no housework to see there. I don't get distracted from working by things I feel guilty about ignoring. Also, there are no snacks or Internet, and my cell phone doesn't work because it's metal building.

dh offered to "move the studio inside" when we added the new basement and I said no way!

[HappyHiker]

I think those "She-sheds" are adorable. I don't have one, but do have "a Room of Her Own."

DH and I have a 3 bedroom home and one bedroom is the master, one is my writing studio which holds my computer and a day bed for those insomnia or restless nights and a bookcase with some favorite books and art. I really enjoy this space. And my DH has the other bedroom for his writing purposes with his personal bookcase.

The guests, who are few and far-between, get put up on a queen-sized sofa bed in the living room. Never saw the point of keeping guest rooms without frequent guests.

I know numerous couples where the male partner has a man-cave (study, garage, basement, workshop) and the female partner has only the kitchen. A Room of Her Own is indicated, IMHO.

[Tradd]

A 60ish friend of mine has what she calls her "mama cave." It's just a spare bedroom (she's married, no kids), but she has a comfy chair, a "spiritual corner" of sorts, her desk (she's self-employed as a hairdresser and this is where she does her bookkeeping and such) with computer.

My friend really needs her own space to get away from hubby for a while. He had a stroke 5 years ago, right after he retired, and it really changed his personality.

[Teacher Terry]

We have 3 bedrooms. My DH has one for his mess and mine is my office and guest room. I keep it really neat and decorated it a way that is relaxing. To me a she shed is like having an outdoor kitchen. If you have a ton of $ that you can afford to waste it is fine.