Renovating your home, and construction in general can be some of the most stressful things you can do in your life. If the inconvenience isn’t enough, you have to worry about the contractor doing the work right the first time. I remember when I was a kid we had an addition put onto my dad’s house. We didn’t have access to the kitchen, or the living room during the entire time it was being done. The whole project took about 4 months, so by the time it was done we were incredibly thankful to get back to our normal routine. Well not wanting to trust the work to anyone other than themselves, this father and son decided to take on a project that will make any home owner jealous. They decided to transform an old, drab looking porch into a very sophisticated and modern man cave.
This is the porch they started out with. It can clearly use an upgrade aside from the fresh coat of brown paint.
They started out by installing a western red cedar ceiling. To do this they needed to identify the rafters in the original ceiling and nail it up.
The ceiling fully installed. This look fantastic already, and they are just getting started.
They decided to install a fireplace where the screen used to be. So they knocked out the screen and poured a 4′ x 4′ x 16″ foundation for the fireplace. Then it was time to brick up the sides to create the firebox.
Storage bins along the side of the fire-place sounded like a good idea, so those were started next. Each bin was roughly 3′ x 5′ x 4′.
This is what it looked like with the storage bins, fire-place and chimney completed.
Everything is left to dry and harden.
Here’s what it looks like from the outside.
The chimney with the last finishing touches being added. Roof flashing was also installed for weather proofing. The father and son hired masons to do the block work. Luckily they were also able to complete the stucco work.
The masons really did do an amazing job. This thing looks great on the side of this home!
They added wooden window shutters with some great looking hinges that really tie everything together. Here they are testing the draw of the fire-place. I’d say it’s working pretty darn well.
I love that they have fire wood storage areas, this will definitely come in handy during the colder months.
With a huge pile of wood delivered it was time to fill the storage spots. The two storage bins are able to accommodate a 1/2 cord of wood total.
Everything is now painted and the outdoor furniture is moved in.
I love the ambience these overhead bulbs give the whole room. This looks cozy!
I like the painting they did on the floor. The actual fire place looks like it is working perfectly and setting a man cave mood.
My favorite part about this place though, is that is actually outside!
They even have a T.V. out here to watch the game on!
They built a tiny lean-to to store the extra wood that won’t fit into the little bins inside.
This is just about perfect right here. It doesn’t get much better than this!
They even have an ice chest full of beer! This place is heaven!
This is probably the classiest man cave I’ve ever seen. Each guy’s special hang out area is going to be different, but I like that this one isn’t all sports posters and neon beer signs. It has a very mature type of charm to it. While it took some effort, it also wasn’t the most stressful or expensive project either. When I buy a home this may be one of the first things I start planning!