A ROOM OF HER OWN
Creating a woman cave or she shed
The British writer Virginia Woolf gave a series of lectures in 1928 arguing that women needed a room of their own to write fiction, making her the original proponent of the woman cave.
Generally regarded as a physical place where a woman can get away to work, create or simply relax on her own terms, a woman cave — or she shed — is the equivalent of a man cave, but with one important difference.
“When we think about man caves, we think about big TVs and a comfy couch — somewhere the guys can hang out and socialize,” said Patricia Lazanis, the owner and president of In Residence Design & Construction.
“I feel like the man cave is more of a social space and the woman cave is more of a solitary one. Women tend to want a place to relax alone, especially during the child-rearing years.”
Paule Bourbonnais, the senior associate designer at Reference Design, agrees.
“There are a lot of women who are very business-oriented, have kids and lead very busy lives,” she said.
“They don’t have a place for themselves.
“A woman cave is a place for them to disconnect — like an oasis of peace — a place to find their brain’s off switch, where everything stops and they feel separate from everything else that’s going on in the house — the whole family dynamic.”
A woman cave can be used for any number of activities, including writing, reading, doing yoga, cooking, taking a bath or simply being.
“Everybody is different and everybody’s needs are, too, so it’s really personal, but generally speaking a woman cave should be an area that makes you feel good,” said Sophie Leclair, the owner of Chez Nous Chez Vous, a South Shore home decor and accessories boutique that opened in 2017.
To create one, Leclair suggests doing a major decluttering of the area first, and removing all unnecessary objects to free up the space visually. “It’s a lot easier to concentrate on your goals and appreciate your space without all the distraction or mess,” she said.
While not everyone can dedicate an entire room to a woman cave, the important thing is to find the right space.
“The room itself can be in the basement; it can be a spare room; it can even be a corner in the living room or where your desk is,” Leclair said.
Bourbonnais likes the idea of creating a space that’s separate but connected, like an extension.
“For people who are outdoorsy and love being outside, it would be ideal to have an extension that’s glass-enclosed,” she said, “so it feels like you’re outside, but you’re still protected from the elements.
“Wherever you choose, I think it’s important to work on soundproofing and proper mood lighting, as well as comfortable seating.”
Lazanis has worked on a number of bathrooms that were designed for women to use as their sanctuaries and says that lighting is indeed an important element, among other things.
“It’s about it being a pretty environment more than just a functional one, so when it comes to the light fixtures, the tub and the materials, everything has to be glam and comfortable,” she said.
“That could mean a crystal chandelier, a soaker tub, a shower with a bench — for shaving — and a heated floor. Even a place to put the hairdryer that’s easy to get to, so she doesn’t have to unwind it every time she needs to use it.”
For women who work at home, their cave can be their office.
“I just finished an office for a woman; it’s all white with some pink and lots of bling,” said Bourbonnais, who believes that a woman should feel free to use whatever colours she likes best when creating her cave, no matter what the rest of the house looks like. “When she goes to work, she’s entering her own world and there’s not one man who’d want to use the space for himself. There are even Swarovski crystals on the chair.”
In the end, what’s most important when it comes to designing a woman cave or she shed is that it suit the needs, and tastes, of the woman whose oasis it will become.
“You don’t need a big budget to create a space that represents who you are,” Leclair said. “For me, the ideal woman cave would be a comfy place where I can flip through my favourite magazines on design and decor.
“I’d surround myself with my favourite pillows, a blanket, artwork, plants, a nice smelling candle and my favourite cup — basically, all the things I carry at my boutique. I may not have a woman cave at home, but I guess the store is my special place, because it’s filled with the things I love most.”