Charleston Home + Design Show to feature man caves

This isn't your Daddy's Man Cave anymore.

The days when a man could slap a 60-inch flat-screen television on his wall and put up a poster of his favorite athlete and call it a "man cave" are long gone.

The 21st-century man cave is, oh, so much more than just a TV and some memorabilia.

The man caves, which have become so popular across the country, will be featured at this weekend's Charleston Home + Design Show at the Gaillard Auditorium.

The modern man cave has become a family room on steroids.

"The days when a guy would have his 'man cave' out in the garage are over," said Tim Barkley, publisher of Charleston Home + Design Magazine, which sponsors the event.

"It's more than just a flat-screen television and some sports memorabilia. It's a gathering place for the entire family, where the family can share time together and make lasting memories," he said. "It's more of a lifestyle than just a single room."

The three-day event will feature four Sports Celebrity Man Caves.

College of Charleston basketball coach Bobby Cremins, New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, former NASCAR driver Ernie Irvan and Charleston RiverDogs owner Mike Veeck will display their idea of the perfect man cave.

All four rooms will be designed by Ethan Allen.

The public will vote on their favorite celebrity man cave, and the winner will get to donate $500 to his favorite charity.

"The man cave has hit mainstream, and everyone has their own ideas on their perfect room," Barkley said. "It's a trend that has really taken off across America, and football and sports are hugely popular here in the South."

The promoters of the event also will be giving away a $24,000 "Fam-Cave" makeover to one lucky patron.

"That's what the man caves have become, a family cave," Barkley said. "It's a room where everyone in the family is welcome."