LIL' BUDDY'S BLOG - Women? Men? Who Make Home Design Decisions Most Often?
THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
Hey, you dogs! Gracie Ella Moss here this week.
Our usual Friday Blogging Doggie, Buddy Holly Moss, called me after witnessing an incredible come-from-behind win by his favorite North Side Chicago Cubs, over the hated South Side White Sox, at Wrigley Field today. It was a little noisy from where he was calling - he must have hit that Cub Canine Bar once again, pounding down a few brews after the game, I would imagine.
His bark was a little raspy from all the cheering, but he asked me to research a rather interesting topic - whether human women, or men, make most to the design decisions on their new homes.
The answer, I guess, depends on which part of the home is being designed, according to a Chicago Tribune Story by John Handley, in the Friday, June 12th edition of the Trib.
It seems that many experts, and most men, agree that women have the greatest input overall, but usually offer the biggest contribution in those parts of the house geared to entertaining, or cooking. In the oft-repeated words of men worldwide, "If the woman is happy, the man will be happy!"
According to Orren Pickell, of Linconshire IL Orren Pickell Designer & Builders, women like a floorplan that creates the least stress given their lifestyle. That often means spacious, well-designed kitchens, big closets and storage areas, apart from main storage in the basement and attic. Closets in the Master Suite are key - although, usually, the male human gets the smaller Master Bedroom closet.
Women like a rear foyer or "mudroom," to hide clutter from the main part of the house. These mudrooms also provide a pet center, where we lil' dogs can eat dinner without making much of a mess.
In the bathroom they prefer walk-in showers without glass shower doors - the glass doors are harder to clean, many ladies feel. And lower vanity heights - 31" preferred height for women, compared to 36" for men. A walk-in pantry in the kitchen.
Women like a sitting area in the Master Bedroom. Outside, they desire professional, tasteful, understated landscaping.
What about men?
Well, for male humans, it's the basement that is their primary domain, as well as the family room, and the garage. Workshops, exercise rooms, media rooms with big-screen HDTV's - all key. Garages should be oversized - three-car preferred!
Also, offices or studies are important spaces for men. Libraries - big!
Men like new gadgets - the cutting edge in technology! Zoned, programmable heating. Centralized lighting controls. High-tech plumbing fixtures. A state of the art hot tub or spa. An incredible swimming pool. Cutting-edge lighting.
Floorplan desires in housing has evolved quite a bit since the 1970's, according to many homebuilders. Utilitarian rooms of the past have given way to highly-styled, well-designed, and most-functional specialty rooms. Both men and women agree on this point!
I dunno what all the hubbub is about, you dogs! Just give me my old green dog pillow, frayed with the stuffing coming out on one side, full dishes of food and water, bunches of doggie treats, and lotsa chew toys - and I am a happy dog!
Enjoy the weekend! Scamper between the expected raindrops on Saturday!
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,
GRACIE ELLA MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO (BUDDY HOLLY MOSS returns next week!)
