For Mike's birthday this year I thought it would be nice to make him a man cave he could relax in. I took some before pictures but I forgot to take them before putting in his new desk and rug but you get the idea that this was an empty space. Having always referred to Mike as "Captain America" because he is not only super human in my eyes but also kind and virtous, I thought the theme of the room would be "What would Captain America's rec room look like."
I spent a good two months junking around for things that would be circa 1920-40's that had some meaning to Mike. In my search I found the following:
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| This old Pennsyvania hunting license was a pretty cool find I think |
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| Being Mike was from Michigan I figured these had to join in the fun too. |
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| I am sort of on an Italian kick and figured in his travels, Capt. America would have come across this phrase book. He probably liked to hike and the Oregon trail book seemed cool too. |
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| This fan, circa 1929 was made in a factory in Mike's hometown. A great find. |
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I figure guys like collecting junk they may use later.
What Mike really needed was a reloading stand. I found a craftsman to make me this awesome cedar workbench and shelves. I put the glass canisters up to hold his primers and thought I'd choose a stain appropriate to the theme- Early American.
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And his desk needed to be just as rustic appearing with an industrial lamp. The chair is UHL industrial machine chair from 1930 made in Toledo Ohio just down the road from where Mike grew up.
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| What would Captain America need more than a painting of America? |
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| Primers are actually quite pretty |
I am a believer in buying what speaks to you and last year I bought a propeller just cuz and here it fit nicely in a corner.
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| This picture has to be in a 1940's room. Right? |
These chairs aren't the final chairs for this room but the camel leather chairs will be a perfect relaxation corner for my guy.
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| I am in love with cowhide rugs right now. And note the Dr. Dre pill the kids gave dad to listen to his tunes while he works. |
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I know it's the Texas star but I already had a Fleur de Lis in the house. Instead I put the Blue Angels up to represent Florida.
I saw this burlap ottoman made of a French grain sack and said, "Mon Dieu!" It doubles as a table and foot rest for my sweety.
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Mike likes to cycle so I figured Captain America would too. So I got an antique poster and mounted it on canvas.
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Yes, Captain likes guns too.
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Here's the proud papa with his babies....minus the one in my tummy of course.
I think he liked his surprise because he has spent most of his birthday in there getting his ugly man stuff into the room but the key is that he feels comfortable not me....right? Ok, I will probably tidy up a bit now and then. And finally, with some reclaimed Pensacola wood I left him a love note. And of course, I mean it.
Happy Birthday to my best friend, confidant and superhero.
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