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.
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I LOVE that place!! Charge for entry, I’ll show!
Me too! It just screams good times. Very good karma in that room.
I’m wacky for Amy’s pecky cypress basement. I can’t vouch for how well I’d say that after a few highballs.
Of all the glorious things my favorite is the Mold-a-rama collection! I remember getting those as souvenirs from Brookfield Zoo!
I really enjoyed this story and pictures also. So nice of Amy to share such a neat piece of history and excellent preservation with us. It does bring back memories as others have mentioned.
I 100% agree with the beer commercial comment, it’s the perfect place to sit next to your dear friends and enjoy a few cool brews, some laughs and make good new memories.
Very definitely pecky cypress.
Agree — it’s pecky cypress. A “step-up” from knotty pine. Remember my favorite aunt & uncles basement lounge in Woodstock, IL which they did around 1953. Wet bar and all. This “hits on all cylinders.” And don’t change the adopted name, “Naughty Pine Lounge” … it”s great and a nice conversation starter.
Amy!
Some brainstorming to share with you.
“Amy’s Pecky Happy Hour!”
Definitely NOT pine.
What is the story on the amazing cobra?
I got it at a tag sale in Chicago. It’s marked with “Universal Statuary Corporation” with “Chicago 1967 #422” – some people say it was used as a promo for Shelby Cobra cars, but not sure…
Even if the wood used isn’t knotty pine, calling it the “Naughty Pine” is a scream. Great to see all of the vintage details preserved, you have a real gem. What a great spot to sip a cocktail!
Yes, I’m with Nan! Keep calling it the Naughty Pine Barroom, and then that will open a whole conversation with visitors about the difference between pecky cypress and knotty pine.
I loved your photo’s and write up of your bar and basement. This is definitely one basement I would feel blessed to be invited to!
What a warm cozy place. I love the bathroom (with the ashtray – lol).
The Naughty Pine really puts me in the mood for a cold Schlitz. Nicely done!
Way cool basement!
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!
Love your basement! My friend Don is the lead singer for The Polkaholics. I’ll have to send him a link to this.
Omg, too funny! You can tell him I used to have one of their bumper stickers on my car, too!