Cookslav Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 Nautifish posted a report about her fishing themed room at her place that got my attention and I thought I’d share mine as well because it would then explain and hopefully excuse my shameful lack of fishing reports this past winter LOL! I finished mine from scratch, so I thought some people might appreciate a play by play account, in case your thinking of doing the same…sorry for the novel but this little story was a 6 month endeavour, and There’s a point at the end I needed to share…. So bare with me, or skip to the end after the Pictures LOL! I moved into our house last year…new baby new house I suppose? But its always been a dream of mine to have fishing/hunting/camping themed basement worthy of entertaining in, so this new move made a large basement high on the priority/purchase list. There was a lot of surveying involved, and measuring “Measure 2 twice cut once” is what Dad always said. There was only interior Framing to be done which was nice as the basement was pre set with aluminum Studding around the foundation, and “most” of the Insulation was already in place, but let me tell you this… I may be a bit old school cause I think this new Aluminium Studding SUCKS! It bends and slides, and twists as your trying to screw the Drywall in place…might be nice for some but I was not a fan so I did the interior in good ‘ol fashion wood…. “Dad always said newer is not always better” The Electrical was easy…I bought a case of Beer from my brother who is an electrician LOL! So as he wired the boxes that would eventually house lights, switches, and out lets, I ran Speaker wire, Phone lines and television Cable around the entire perimeter of the room just in case I ever decided to switch the lay out of the room down the road….“Dad always said its best to plan for the worst case” I had some challenges of course as well… 42’ of overhead bulk head to box in the Duct work comes to mind. The home has nice tall ceilings so I just couldn’t bring myself to loose any of the height with a drop ceiling….although about ¼ of the way into the dry walling My shoulders were begging me to change my mind. Another major challenge was getting the drywall in… The 8’x4’ pieces wouldn’t go around the corner to the basement, and the windows were sealed on one side, so every piece had to be cut upstairs in the garage and carried down, which was both a blessing and a curse. I did 90% of the work solo being my friends and family are off on weekends, and I’m not so….lifting 4’ sections in place by myself was a heck of lot easier then 8’sections LOL! But the Taping, mudding and unfortunately the sanding in particular was literally Doubled…. The Dust was unbelievable LOL… It took me weeks of Sanding, and tapering, and sanding and tapering, but…I took my time. Like Dad always said “do it right the first time, and you won’t have to do it again“ I never thought in my wildest dreams I would ever be excited to paint… But after the hell that is called sanding, Painting seemed like it would be a holiday….and it was! Priming was awesome…no worries of drips, no tape, no lines to follow. Being I needed to prime the Ceiling as well it was so very nice to do some work that was not detail oriented. Just spray it on in every direction, and if it gets on the floor the carpet will cover it later so…no big deal! Dad always said…“its better to recharge yourself with some mindless work, then to stop or slow down.” Of course then it came to the real painting…. I got everything taped up and did the ceiling first, then the walls, and then got a bit Artsy with an accent wall. I had planned on Camo, but the warden was not letting that happen LOL!… “Ain’t nobody happy if Momma ain’t happy” is what dad always said…so I skipped the green. Next I picked out some funky low watt light fixtures. I liked them because I can angle, and place the light where, and as needed….I loved the soft lighting even more then I thought I would!!! “Sometimes less is more“…that’s what Dad would say. Carpet was the single largest expense of the project…. At a little under 1000 square feet, plus a set of stairs it adds up quick. Of course being a basement cement floor we opted for a mock shag and a premium under padding to soften the floor and warm the feet. The color we chose had to be of a darker nature being I have kids and cats LOL! This one is called “Deerwood” so even the carpet fit the theme… Dad always said “stay on the path and don’t forget what direction your going.” Next was Hanging the doors, trim, and Baseboards, and moving in the furniture…probably the most Satisfying part of the Project because it now was officially a finished Basement complete with an office to work from home on occasion, or just check on things here at the OFC! “Don’t forget to have some fun with it” Dad always said. But…the work was not done just yet! What is a man’s Basement with out a Bar I thought? So…I tried my hand at some Cabinet making. I measured twice, and ordered a nice matching counter top and begun framing again. Put a couple shelves in with some basic sliding doors, and installed a Recessed Bar fridge to save some room behind the bar….I Thought about putting in a sink and taps but Dad always said “don’t get carried away” Last but not least I had one more project this year I needed to incorporate to give my dream basement the Camping feel…A fireplace is what I had in mind. If anything it was an excuse to work with the Hilti Again…gotta love power tools LOL! (cue Tim the tool man Tailor…har har har!!!) So I tried my hand at Tileing a fireplace Hearth…that was quite fun to be honest! Then came the hardest part…putting the hole in the wall! Although truth be told the hammer drill took care of that in a hurry. The rest was literally like playing with Lego…Simply point the pipe in the right direction, insert, turn one quarter till it locks, and insert 4 screws, then repeat until your above the roof line by a few feet…with a support rod thrown in here and there of course. Dad always said better “safe then sorry.” And last but not least….the only Fishing/ hunting part of the post LOL!!! Dad used to say “when the work is done its time to relax…“ So I accented the room with things I like!!! Anyone who likes fishing, and has an appreciation for art will know James Lumbar. All of his paintings are of pastime memories, and tender moments….but all also feature a Ghost hidden somewhere in his works making them even more enchanting , with the suggestion our passions follow us even beyond this world… I’ve always been a fan, and he has a few Pieces that are fishing related that fit the basement theme perfectly! Then I added some Paintings, a Friend gave us as gifts. The first is Me and My brother in Algonquin many years ago, and the second is the Mouth of the Sauble river at Sunset…2 very near and dear places to me. I couldn’t turn down this wall mural, as it reminds me of my favourite stand up north….I now sit at my bar and practice Squinting one eyed at the buck some nights. ..LOL! The Border I chose... well I think it speaks for its self. My wall of Fame…In other words my wall of PB’s (As Time goes on I hope to fill that wall with shots of the Kids PB’s as well.) Last but not least I had to “red neck it up” a bit to make it comfortable for the boys to hang out LOL! So I finished just in time for Christmas! Hope you like! Oh! And your probably asking yourself…What’s with all the “Dad always said” references right? Well as a kid when there was work to be done around the house cottage, or yard Dad always made me help. I’d complain and would whine because the other Kids were out paying hockey or hanging out… He used to say “you pay attention and Someday your gonna thank me for this…” Its about Time... Thanks Dad you were right, I now have my dream Basement, and I appreciate it all that much more because I did it all myself. (go figure he’s the one who taught me how to fish and hunt as well.) Maybe Next winter the Bathroom will go in... Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 Nice job, I'll send you the measurements for mine and you can write my a quote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeontroller Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 Great work, looks excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crappieperchhunter Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 (edited) You have a basement anybody would be proud of. Hats off to you. And I'm sure your old man is proud of you too. P.S. Don't have any yet...but I'm a big fan of James Lumbers as well. Edited March 31, 2009 by crappieperchhunter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aniceguy Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 cool man cave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msp Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 I think that your Dad was a very smart man. Great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chukkk Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Great job ... a lot of work, been there done that but in the end you have years of fun and enjoyment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Wow, excellent job. Its great that you took pics all the way along to show your progess. Well done Joey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holdfast Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Thanks for the Pics. You Kind of made it look easy. I love the Bar. Only thing missing and that would be the Biggest Honking Stereo That I could Find. My Dad always told me, I may be a Warrant, but there is no way that I should disobey the WARDEN. She Rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbouck Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Looks Great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookslav Posted March 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 I'll send you the measurements for mine and you can write my a quote. Yikes bud, You help me with the Bathroom next winter, I'll help you out in exchange...got some concrete to bust Only thing missing and that would be the Biggest Honking Stereo That I could Find I'm wired, just need the cubes to hang on the wall Its great that you took pics all the way along to show your progess. Whats really great is my Wife took the Pictures...I didn't think of it. I just did the work LOL! But I'm glad she did for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuskyBill Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 That was an awesome read. Thank you for taking the time, & thank your wife for thinking of taking the pics! I've completed a few much smaller projects only to think of the pics afterwards.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musky_man Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Well done -- looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 So uh, when's the OFC get together to break in that new bar? Good job!!! Looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Buck Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 great job!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Urban Fisherman Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Oh!And your probably asking yourself…What’s with all the “Dad always said” references right? Well as a kid when there was work to be done around the house cottage, or yard Dad always made me help. I’d complain and would whine because the other Kids were out paying hockey or hanging out… He used to say “you pay attention and Someday your gonna thank me for this…” Its about Time... Thanks Dad you were right, I now have my dream Basement, and I appreciate it all that much more because I did it all myself. (go figure he’s the one who taught me how to fish and hunt as well.) Maybe Next winter the Bathroom will go in... Cheers, Awesome work man - I know exactly what you mean. My old man was the EXACT same way. I tore out the 70's beaver panelling from my entire house and dry-walled it myself last year. I agree, the sanding part is hell. But I'm glad I did it myself. Although if I can afford it down the road, I'm going to pay somebody to do my basement! lol I'd rather have all those weekends spent with my kids, and on the water! Good work! UF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raf Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 so how much is rent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinbanger Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Looks good ! I used steel stud for all basement framing in the last house , alot less mess and easier to frame bulkheads etc . Didn't have any issue with studs twisting !? Also couldn't fit 4x8 down the stairs , just scored the back , folded it in half , down the stairs and on the wall , made for less joints to tape Really like the built in beer fridge , just need some better beer Thanks for posting , the new house (new to us) has a prefinished basement but it does need some decorating ! TB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handlebarz Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 awesome job and great read thanks for sharing it with us all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leecher Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Beautiful work Cookslav Sweet reward for your efforts!!! Thanks for sharing your project with us Leechman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookslav Posted March 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 I'm going to pay somebody to do my basement! lol I'd rather have all those weekends spent with my kids, and on the water! Thats why I did most of it in the winter Really like the built in beer fridge , just need some better beer LOL...truth be told that shot was taken the day after an opening party after I restocked with the only beer left over. There was whole lotta nicklebrook, Cameron, and Moose head consumed that night Better re-stock if I'm gonna do G2G Like Bill suggests! so how much is rent? You keep the fridge full, and supply the big baits an we gotta deal...I better check with the warden first though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SylvanOwner Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Really nice work!! I'm in the middle of some of it myself. My Dad convinced me to try the ShopVac sanding attachment, as he had done in a few places, and it works really really well I must say so if you're anti-dust check that out. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpsbassman Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 Fabulous job Cookslav!! That is sure something to be proud of!! I have just started mine only having the studding up. I too am not looking forward to the mud work and taping. Mine will be done with a Fishing Lodge theme in mind. Reading your post has given me some more inspiration. Thanks and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markystang Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 I'd be lying if I said I'm not jealous.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raf Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 You keep the fridge full, and supply the big baits an we gotta deal.. i think i'd rather pay rent! looks great. nicely done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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