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.
tammyCA says
Fun! This is like revisiting my childhood…our neighbor had a similar basement bar. I remember on very hot humid summer days looking for my mom & she’d be “over at Chesters having a beer”..yay, it was so nice & cool down there & I was fascinated by his Hamm’s beer scene o Rama sign.
Mary S says
Love your lounge and the bathroom. Never too many photos of such beautiful things! Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring.
judy says
The Naughty Pine Lounge looks like a piece of mid-modern heaven! I love what Amy has and has NOT done with it; it’s beautifully authentic! I can’t get over the incredible attention given to every detail, from the scalloped trim to the detailed built-ins. Amy, LOVE your mold-a-rama wax sculpture collection. My grandparents had two wood rooms in their home, the wood had a grain and surface exactly like yours, though the color was a bit lighter. My Grandpa always referred to it as Pecky Cypress. Pecky Cypress or Pine…who cares, you’ve got a lounge that beats ALL lounges and don’t EVER change the name!
mary allison tierney says
I have had the honor of staying in the Naughty Pine and it is the coolest – and such cozy guest room – (Pecky Cypress should be your new stage name, Amy) <3
mary says
Beautiful Amy! For those of us who grew up with the rec room basement and all the smoky family parties, this brings up wonderful memories. Our house had the knotty pine basement as did our family in Villa Park IL. Being a Chicagoan, I’m sure you know what we used to call Vanilla Park. That 50’s house had a niche in the panelling where the tv sat. That really impressed me at the age of 7!
Kara says
Of course I love it
Marilyn says
Wow…you have kept all the right things and added just the most charming touches…if Pecky Cypress was used in Perry Mason I would be in love with it. One of my favorite 50’s shows of all time..
Thomas says
Perry had a great style sense, a smooth operator.
Jim says
My fabulous Daughter, Amy, will go to the ends of the earth, to just research and add just the right touch, to her home. Her basement retreat is my fave place to chill, groove on Chet Baker, and pour a “tall cool one” after flying from La La Land. Kudos to my Kiddo! 🙂
Pam Kueber says
Your fabulous daughter Amy indeed!
Sid says
Swoon! Very well done article. Love that you (and all the commenters) genuinely appreciate the original details. It makes my heart swell! What a true party space ????
Kat says
This is an absolute retro dream! There’s a solidness, a sense of comfort, to a place like this. I’m so happy that you found each other.