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Secret Passages and Hidden Spots
What's behind that door — a bar, bath, laundry room or loo?
To me, the coolest part of being a superhero would have to be the hidden lair. Superman has his Fortress of Solitude, Batman the Bat Cave. (Side note: Why are they all cold and filled with stalagmites? I'd kit mine out with at least a comfortable seat or two.) But do you have to fight crime in order to get a little secret space all to yourself? No way. These clever homes prove that anyone can have their own spot hidden away from the world — no cape required.
by CustomMade.com
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Bathrooms are a popular room to hide. I get it; you don't like to share your loo. (Can't say I blame you.) An ornate mural like this one is a great way to camouflage the entrance from snooping guests.
by Amy Jesaitis
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Pay no attention to the rectangle inside the mural! Even if it's just a coat closet behind there, it instantly becomes cooler by going incognito.
by Lindy Donnelly
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Ian Fleming never mentions James Bond doing laundry. Probably it's because 007 is too busy on covert missions, but maybe, just maybe, it's because he keeps his laundering facilities cleverly sequestered behind a pair of sliding bookcases.
| Nothing to see here folks... |
| Sneaky! The space under the stairs is prime real estate for a hideaway. |
by Gast Architects
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I like to think that up those stairs is a comfy armchair, just right for escaping with a good book.
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| This grand library has a secret: The shelves at the lower left of the image are actually a door to the home's master bedroom. What a clever way to outsmart the boogeyman! |
| The left panel of this built-in actually opens up into an ensuite bath. |
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This handsome cabinetry may look ordinary enough — there's a TV inside, right? It's actually a doorway to a home office beyond.
by Tara Seawright
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Curtains closed, it looks like a window. Curtains open, and you're gazing on your own walk-in closet and seating area.
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I bet that's where she keeps the good, top-shelf liquor.
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Every office should come equipped with one of these. Close the pocket doors and it's all business. Open them up and get ready for the weekend.
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Okay, so you've got no room for a lair. At least your spices can have their own private hideaway to decompress after a long day of fighting bland food ... or something.
Next: 5 Ways to Decorate Around a Flat-Screen TV
Next: 5 Ways to Decorate Around a Flat-Screen TV
Ideabook updated on March 9, 2012.
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Unfortunately, I couldn't photograph it in the context of the family room.
Here's the rest of the home: http://www.billfryconstruction.com/portfolio/saratoga-remodeling/
In their previous house, they also had a well-concealed gun safe (the husband has a couple of hunting rifles). The bathroom closet was a normal closet depth, so they put the safe at the back, then put shelving in front of it. The shelves were always full of towels, bathroom supplies, etc., so it wasn't obvious that they didn't go all the way to the back of the closet -- but they were on a pivot and swung out to give access to the safe. Nice way to hide a safe of any type.