Henry the Air Purifier

Another gem from Stadler Form's Matti Walker, the Henry Air Purifier is an ultra-modern machine for making sure that the air in the Mancave is nothing but perfect. Packed with manly sounding filtration methods like a titanium filter, plasma generator and ultra violet lamp, Henry sits quietly in the corner of the bedroom and does his thing.

The strangest thing about sleeping living with Henry is that the quiet, but audible, 'HVAC hum' places my mind in the environment of an aircraft cabin or hotel, effortlessly ready to drift off. As a frequent traveller, I can think of few other places that give me this sense of well-being, safety and reassurance.

The [Big] Kid's Got Style

Far be it from the Mancave to start entertaining thoughts of adding a second children's bedroom, I recently spotted this interior at Restoration Hardware. Clearly Jack's a lucky boy. Even as adults however, we're big kids at times and can certainly take a number of design cues from the 'all American' style. In particular I like the classic panelling, 'utility' nickel drawer handles and sporting references throughout.

Glencairn's Ultimate Whiskey Tumbler

'The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection' - That's the enigmatic motto for Japanese luxury car maker Lexus. Just like the Japanese who also appreciate a fine whiskey, I've been searching for the perfect lowball tumbler for some years now. The ultimate whiskey tumbler needs to be heavy and exhibit ice-cube coolness with the right balance of angles and curves. A few month's ago I found it. The monogrammed Walker & Son crystal tumbler from Glencairn in Scotland.

Upon enquiring I was told that the glasses were used for Blue Label tastings and were not for sale. After pouring on the charm and pulling a vulgar stunt with a Brown Amex, the Harrods Wine & Spirits Manager deemed the glasses to be worth £20 each if purchased with the accompanying Blue Label limited edition gift set. *wince*

The equivalent of buying a Lexus because you want a coupe of monogrammed wheel nuts. Anyone need a ride?

Birthday Wishes for DesignTrawler.com

Whilst trawling in Brazil this month, DesignTrawler.com turned one year old. Like a fine cheese, whiskey the mancave is known to get better with age. Depth, complexity and richness all take time to develop, and the patina of time has benefited one design feature more than most.

A spontaneous autograph from a visiting Tokyo Trawler left a lasting impression. The bistro blackboard transformed in to an oversize guest book; charting the comings and goings of an eclectic mix of international guests over the year. Here's to you guys; until next time!

You Know it's Time for a Bigger Cave...

This month, Design Trawler hit Rio De Janeiro to seek out the best in moden Brazilian art, design and architecture [sun, sea and samba had nothing to do with it honest]. Alongside the fantastic buildings by Oscar Neimeyer and iconic Romero Britto artworks, was this mamoth modernist beauty.

Almost two meters long, this painting exhibits a cool South American sombreness; perfect to sit above anything by Corbusier or in a Grand Design with polished concrete floors. Sadly, the current cave isn't large enough to display it. Several Brazilain Real later and I'm now looking for a larger cave... or gallery space.

President Obama is DesignTrawler.com Fan!

That's right, DesignTrawler.com has been appointed as special mancave envoy to the White House. The Røros Tweed blanket previously featured on the site has been snapped up by President Obama as a fitting addition to the Washington mancave [the Museum of Modern Art in New York swiftly followed suit]

While around 1,500 Design Trawler readers hail from across the pond, it appears that the big man himself is also one of them. What else could explain Obama's decision to specifically opt for the monochrome design pictured? Pope Benedict probably has a cheeky Argentinian cowhide tucked away somewhere too...

Damien Hirst | 松久 信幸 for Nobu / Japan

My first Hirst. This week Nobu Matsuhisa closed his London restaurants to the public to host a charity dinner for the victims of the Japan Earthquake. Young British Artist and enfant terrible of contemporary art, Damien Hirst designed a special edition of the Nobu West cookbook for the event.  The edition of 400 is triple signed by Hirst, Nobu Matsuhisa and head chef Mark Edwards.

Like a signature dish from the top notch eatery, the composition is masterful. Hirst is Britain's richest living artist and Nobu is one of the world's most successful culinary business people. Both have been subject to their fair share of controversy, have a penchant for seafood, and both both blur the lines between art and enterprise. Whatever your views, the stylised cookbook contributed to raising over half a million pounds for the Japan Earthquake Appeal.

Tread Softly. You Tread on my Dreams.

Months in the planning and a weekend in the making. 7,500 hand placed one penny coins create a monumental kitchen floor; the flagship of all Mancave renovations to date. In celebration of the Royal Wedding, boosting the UK economy by holding currency out of circulation, and a tribute to W.B. Yeats

"But I, being poor, have only my dreams; 

I have spread my dreams under your feet;

Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."

The Multi Storey Mantle - For High Life Living

As fireplaces become increasingly less common in modern design, shelves and window sills have stepped in to replace the traditional mantelpiece. When one mantelpiece just isn't enough, a second sub-mantle creates extra display space and makes a natural distinction between anything on the 'top shelf'.

Pictured alongside Jeff the Dog, a Concept GT sketch from Bentley exterior designer Dom Najafi.

Armchair Golf - Par 5.1 from Sony

In keeping with my belief that AV technology should be heard and not seen, these ultra compact format 5.1 surround sound speakers from Sony measure in at just 4cm tall; the same size as a [square] golf ball.

And like golf balls in the rough, they can practically disappear from sight, allowing the magnificence of a well designed championship course mancave to take centre stage, and the roar of a crowd of hundreds to fill the atmosphere. Hiding the clubhouse sized amplifier [not pictured] is however another matter.

Allaire's [Pan Am] Cool Blades

I last mentioned Matti Walker's acrylic fan as a great example of a well designed alternative to Dyson's Air Multiplier (it's also now on sale for £50 at the Conran Shop). For those with a preference for something a little more traditional this summer, this 8" Allaire brushed nickel model does the job nicely.

It's cool and functional steel blades wouldn't look out of place with a Pan Am logo and wing flaps - which is just as well because this $99 beauty flew over to London from the Restoration Hardware store in Miami.

The Life Enhancing MoMa Pill

A cheap thrill at a couple of dollars, I picked up this pill box at the MoMa in New York. I like it's simple, iconic representation and thematic links to some of Damien Hirst's work.

Designer multi vitamins now have a suitably designer, go-anywhere tote, reminding you to stay pepped up daily. A great example of better living through every day design.

Caverne Pour Homme - by Demeter NY

Design is a discipline that is fundamentally multi sensory. It's not just about what we see. Texture, taste, audio and aroma are scientific factors that contribute to our perception of the environment we inhabit.

The scent of Mancave then, needs to be masculine, single origin and instantly recognisable. Demeter Fragrance Library NY bottles real world scents such as grass, pipe tobacco and 'thunderstorm' that are intensely complex and inexplicably addictive. Cologne for the home with a suitably premium price tag.

The FRIDGE: Gallery of Contempoary Art

One of the world's most influential gallery franchises, FRIDGE: has millions of international locations.

Exhibiting an eclectic and accessible range of frequently changing contemporary artwork, FRIDGE:Mancave is currently exhibiting the pictured work from Wallpaper* in collaboration with Tokyo Trawler's locally sourced magnetic sushi sculptures. Fridge's highly anticipated next opening promises to feature eggs, milk and cheese from British heavyweight J Sainsbury.

Mancave Turns 3 - Gains 2,000 Years

Today, marks three years to the day that contracts were exchanged and the Mancave officially came in to being. There have been many a purchase and renovation project along the way, but my favourite isn't a shiny new toy, but rather something a little less contemporary...

The pictured artifact is a pottery warrior head from the Chinese Han Dynasty. That makes it around 2,000 years old. It's remarkable to think of any object having such provenance, especially when it's not behind glass  in a museum. Sir David Tang would certainly approve. I think alongside plants and live animals, artifacts like these lend a very powerful 'anti-design' balance to overly constructed interiors.

Forever grateful to the friend and colleague who very generously gifted it to me.