Listening to music properly has a lot to do with having the right environment. A place that’s all your own. I like the warm glow from the perfect level of indirect, low lighting. I want to be surrounded by my favorite things to look at. And I long for seating that you just melt into and disappear in. And another thing– I love my iPod as much as the next guy– but sometimes there are those moments when you need to break out the turntable and throw on some old records. The warm hiss and crackle of needle on vinyl is like hearing your mother’s voice in the womb. Which is what a man cave really is– a dark, personal, intimate womb.
When we first moved to New Jersey, we bought a great old Dutch Colonial home previously owned by an Italian family– the guy’s name was Nick. The basement he built-out was the clincher. It was like a retro 60s gentleman’s club– red and black lacquer paneled walls, mirrors, a full bar with turntable, and even a pool table which they were good enough to leave behind. I’ll never forget the two framed portraits hanging side by side behind the bar– The Pope & Frank Sinatra. Welcome to Jersey– I loved it. I spent many an evening down there with lights down low, the sound of billiard balls slamming hard into a corner pocket, always perfect tunes in the background, and a cold one. Now I’m in a house with no man cave and going insane…
Retro 1960s Hi Fi stereo equipment and mid century modern furniture– great old Tulip table.
*
Cozy retro man cave w/ Eames chair, animal hide rug, art, books & hi fi– Done.
*
1960s retro bachelor pad w/ cozy conversation pit.
*
1960s retro bachelor bedroom.
*
Retro bubble stereo.
*
Retro turntable ad and shagadelic seating.
*
Retro modern modular pad.
*
The ultimate modern shagedelic master bathroom w/ awesome niches. So Lenny Kravitz circa 2000.
*
Retro modern music den.
*
1970s retro bachelor pad– someone’s a real pimp.
*
Retro modern organic conversation pit.
*
Retro modern man cave with a very eclectic mix of world clocks, maps, fishing rods, and modern pieces.
*
Related TSY Posts:
BOTTOMS UP! | A LOVE AFFAIR WITH TAVERNS, BARS & PUBS
GREAT AMERICAN HOME IMPROVEMENT THE OLD SCHOOL BASEMENT BAR
Groovy Home Built from Salvaged Finds | The 1970s Artist Abode of John Holmes
ULTIMATE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL ON WHEELS | THE 1970’s VAN CUSTOMIZATION CRAZE
*
The Selvedge Yard 
I’ll take the one with the TV on the ceiling panel…AS IS… although, the Burt Reynolds look-a-like might need to step out for a smoke.
Yeah Nick, we’ll make him excuse himself– just for you.
JP,
My head literally just exploded! This is amazing! Hi Fi!
I.A.
I.A. — Your head “literally” exploded?! Wow. You might want to see a doctor for that.
I actually could totally see myself in the last shot, if the wood tones were white, and the carpet a medium grey.
BTW, I’m envious of that basement of yours–sounds like heaven.
LOVE IT! The first photo is awesome, and I can see my boyfriend going crazy for the retro modern organic conversation pit. Great find on those photos. I’m going to have to tweet it out!
Thanks. The first photo got the wheels turnin’…
Wow! I’m loving these photos! Looks like something straight out of “Boogie Nights!” So cool. I wish there was a contemporary bubble stereo on the market. That thing looks awesome! I’m actually working with All Modern.com and had an idea that I wanted to run by you. Feel free to shoot me an email back!
Pingback: The not so distant Retrofuture « cult and paste
It seems that some of pics are of real-deal man caves of the past and are therefore vintage, while some of them are inspired by the past and are therefore retro. Am I mistaken?
Man, the retro Bubble Stereo is awesome. I want one.
Those rooms are so cool, why was I born so late.
Pingback: GREAT AMERICAN HOME IMPROVEMENT THE OLD SCHOOL BASEMENT BAR « The Selvedge Yard
Pingback: BOTTOMS UP! | A LOVE AFFAIR WITH TAVERNS, BARS & PUBS « The Selvedge Yard
I was there – and for the most part these photos are exaggerations – except for the shag carpeting. People put shag everywhere – on walls, in cars. Shag is the ‘foundation’ of the swingin 60s/70s. Check out photos of Joe Namath’s shagadelic man cave sometime.