“Masculine creature comforts and sophisticated style do not have to be mutually exclusive.”
My husband, my muse...
“Really what anybody wants, male or female, is to be seen, heard, and represented in the safest place they know. Home.”
THE MODERN MAN-CAVE MAVEN
Traditionally, a Man Cave was a tasteless place where men could retreat to express themselves freely. This arose from a rebellious need to surround themselves with the things they love, in a house that was typically seen as the “woman’s domaine”. Part of having a well-designed, functional home is that it reflects each inhabitant fully, allowing us all to feel comfortable and “right” at home. I believe masculine creature comforts and sophisticated style do not have to be mutually exclusive.
A Little About Me
I'm Maybelle Suarez Clarke, Interior Stylist and your Modern Man-Cave Maven. Based in Vancouver, BC, I offer Interior Design and Consulting services for modern gentlemen who appreciate a playful, yet polished, lifestyle.
Art & Design have always held a special place in my heart, especially interior spaces and architecture. As a teen, while my girlfriends were watching Oprah and Days of our Lives, I was watching House & Home and Designers Guys, poring over my collection of interior design mags, and planning my next decorating project. My favourite movies and shows often boasted gorgeous set design and cinematography - great stories supported by such alluring visual artistry.
Throughout my varied careers in Health & Wellness, Marketing, and Finance, I continued to gravitate toward interior design concepts and would habitually be regarded as the resident "Feng Shui Girl" at the office.
Feng Shui Foundation
Feng Shui is the art of managing your space to live in harmony and attract your deepest desires. I had learned about this philosophy from my insightful aunt when she was building her new house back in 1997. The idea that you could take charge of your destiny by thoughtfully planning your space resonated so deeply with me. I have since incorporated elements of this practice into my own interior projects, and it is this foundation on which I have built my business.
Transform Your Life Through Thoughtful Design
On top of designing aesthetically pleasing spaces, an important tenet of my design process is understanding your true desires and helping you manifest these things through thoughtful design. This includes the areas of:
- health
- career
- wealth
- recognition
- wisdom
- creativity
- love and relationships
Certain areas of your home correspond to these different elements in your life, and through my Design Process, I show you how you can achieve your goals efficiently and in style.
I Seek Inspiration From...
- nature
- my art history books
- travel
- old buildings
- chic wardrobes
- music
- home-cooked meals
- alluring set designs and cinematography
- compelling conversations
- my friends
- my family, and particularly,
- my husband...
My Husband, My Muse
My vision for my business evolved from learning to live with my awesome, loving, smart, sexy, yet not-quite-savvy-in-design husband over the past decade and a half. My approach to our home was to establish a West-Coast-Transitional-Vibe-Accented-with-Mediterranean-and-Asian-Elements. My husband essentially wanted a place where he could come home and flop on the couch, surrounded by all his creature comforts.
Over the years, I've learned the art of melding our styles and needs together, and as a result, my husband has really come into his own, design-wise. We are so happy with the home we have built, together, for our family.
Unlike me, my husband was initially less convinced of the transformative effects of Feng Shui, preferring to focus on its practical elements, such as better flow through the house, effective lighting, having comfortable spots into which he can sink, and easy access to the things that soothe him. However, from these practical elements, he has experienced many positive shifts in his life including, unexpected career advancements, improved health, accolades & awards, and feeling safe & nurtured.
My husband may joke about only needing a good mattress, full fridge, big TV, and functional toilet, but he truly does appreciate coming home to a warm, cozy, inviting place in which he can enjoy all the above – in style.
My Man-Cave Calling
I organically began helping several male friends settle into their homes and offices, and I found these men to be receptive, willing to do the work, and eager to learn more about design as we worked through the process. This sparked in me a new mission to focus on advising and educating the male professional, wanting a more refined version of the "Man Cave".
Understanding the life you want to live and having your home reflect this is the key to all the packages I offer.
Whether you are a bachelor wanting to express yourself in a bad-ass pad, a newlywed eager to marry your personal style with your perfect partner’s, or a family man looking to carve your niche in a busy household, The Modern Man-Cave Maven will help you come home to “you”.