Amy, photo courtesy Christopher Andrew of StopTime
Amy lives in a 1916 bungalow that was renovated in the 1950s, including, golly: This fantastic basement hideaway that she has christened, “The Naughty Pine Lounge.” But. Oopsy. Methinks those gashes in the wood suggest it’s pecky cypress not knotty pine. No matter which: The Naughty Pine Lounge is more than Nice!
Amy writes:
My house is a 1916 Chicago bungalow and I’m only the 4th owner – 3rd owner lived there for 64 years and did the cool renovations… Here are photos of the basement bar and adjacent bathroom.
I think it is knotty pine, but it might be pecky cedar — you would know…
- This photo from Cypress Cracker Sawmill seems to nail it
- See all our stories on pecky cypress — which we usually see kind of “bleached” out — here.
Amy continues:
So you walk down the basement stairs (also paneled!) to get to this fabulous retreat…
I installed a vintage Schlitz light…
Left the original beaded curtain in the glass block window…
Readers, want New Old Stock beaded curtains made to order? See this story / source.
- It has great built-in display shelves and cabinets — with my collection of mold-a-rama wax sculptures and vintage Schlitz cans I found in the attic…
… And the awesome wet bar with original Formica counter, swinging door, and sink with metal edging.
I love the real swinging door!
The quality of the built-ins is amazing – check out the cabinetry with angled and straight paneling details…
I have a great collection of vintage glasses from thrift stores and from my grandparents…
A friend even made “Naughty Pine” coasters and glasses.
Original horsehead hook and old fashioned phone jack…
Original sconces…
Right next door to the bar is the paneled wood bathroom…
The bathroom originally had a rusted out metal shower that we had to replace – replaced with a shower tiled in slate to keep that rustic vibe – did keep as many original details as possible, though — like the metal magazine rack with ashtray (!) that was in the bathroom.
Fell in love with the “Hustle!” door knocker on the bathroom door…
The door is almost 2.5″ thick!
The bathroom has a funny little mirrored vanity area with the original counter top…
I made barkcloth curtains with vintage fabric…
Oh! And forgot to mention that I got the red velvet barstools on Freecycle. When I first contacted the woman she said that a lot of other people were interested in them, and I needed to write a story about why I deserved them! I guess my story won…
This fall after lots of flooding, I finally had to have the basement floor redone – had a speckled epoxy coating installed that I love – before I moved all the furniture back in I actually roller-skated in it…
A pesky pecky question
The “NPL” is the big social hangout of the neighborhood – recently had a crazy 50th birthday party… My friend Craig DJ’d – made a playlist of songs from 67, 77, 87, 97, 07, 17…
Yeah, my dad thought it was pecky cypress or cedar, but we’d have to come up with a different name for the bar!
- It’s not a big, but who else on the interwebs has a whole category on Knotty Pine and other less-discussed midcentury wood products? Oh and a whole little website.
Related stories
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6 ideas to decorate a knotty pine room in classic retro style
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Colors for Jeanne’s knotty pine bedroom — let’s share our decorating ideas
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The barkcloth pinch pleat draperies for my Mahalo Lounge home tiki bar are up!
-
Moody lighting: an old-fashioned library style picture light for my vintage Vanguard
6 ideas to decorate a knotty pine room in classic retro style 
Colors for Jeanne’s knotty pine bedroom — let’s share our decorating ideas 
The barkcloth pinch pleat draperies for my Mahalo Lounge home tiki bar are up! 
Moody lighting: an old-fashioned library style picture light for my vintage Vanguard 
COMMENTS WILL RE-OPEN on MONDAY, DECEMBER 2. For the first time in, like, 13 years, I am taking a real vacation from the blog, to spend un-distracted time with family. As part of this, Commenting on the blog is paused. Meanwhile, please enjoy reading all the many stories in our archives -- and come back Monday, Dec. 2 when I will launch our annual giveaway of a vintage ornament wreath made by Georgia Peachez -- and when comments will reopen so you can enter to win! HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
Christine W says
What a warm cozy place. I love the bathroom (with the ashtray – lol).
rich says
The Naughty Pine really puts me in the mood for a cold Schlitz. Nicely done!
Jim Hurd says
Way cool basement!
nina462 says
I’ve got a knotty pine basement/bar too. I don’t have a bathroom, but want to add one – thanks for your pictures as that is what I’m looking for. I don’t have a wet bar …but it is feasible. Jeez, now I’ve got some project to work on!
Cebette says
Love your basement! My friend Don is the lead singer for The Polkaholics. I’ll have to send him a link to this.
Amy says
Omg, too funny! You can tell him I used to have one of their bumper stickers on my car, too!
barb says
It is definitely not pine. It is pecky cypress. I had never seen it with knots before but after doing some research, some pecky cypress does have knots. Maybe there is a cute pecky cypress name lurking around out there. it would be a fun bar game to find a new name. offer a cool prize! or, it could be like Prince.. “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince” .
??????… “The Lounge Formerly Known as The Naughty Pine Lounge”.
haha
Joan massey says
It’s great to see a vintage bar. Glad she kept it as original as possible. How fun. What a nice hang out. Picky Cypress always makes me think of the movie 🎥 “Bachelor In Paradise” when Bob Hope makes fun of it.
Mikey says
Not knotty pine, but still just as beautiful, nonetheless. Love it!