A Stylish Mancave

Rob Muzinich's Victorian cottage in Crockett, California holds a secret...

Nestled into the billy-goat hills along the southern shore of the swirling waters of the Carquinez Straits, where two metal spans - one modern and graceful, the other ageless and proud - corset its expanse, is the Sugar City of Crockett.

Can it be?... A stylish mancave?...Oh, yeah!...

Rob definitely adheres to my favorite decorating motto: it's not what you don't have, it what you do with what you do have...

Within one of Crockett's charming hillside Victorian cottages is a surprise: a stylish mancave. In my experience, the words stylish and mancave would not be found in the same sentence. When I think of mancaves, I think of mirrored beer signs, dogs playing poker painted on black velvet, and beefcake calendars but you won't find any of those bastions of masculine spaces within these walls. Not here! Perhaps a more accurate name for this space, a former dirt-floored basement, would be bromansion or mantuary. Mancave just does not do it justice.

Scavenged vintage windows make perfect picture frames...

A custom neon sign by Bill Concannon, sparkling barware, a cast-off disco ball from Rob's brother add atmosphere...

The Mancave, as it is affectionately known, was pulled together over time by ingenious homeowner/master of flea-market wheeling and dealing/possessor of powerful thrift-store mojo/super scavenger, Rob Muzinich, with an air of sleek Madmen class but welcoming comfort, too - and a huge dose of fun!

Who doesn't love foos ball?...a clever use of a taxicab sign...

Practice your best poker face...

Hand-painted circles and a round porthole window give the bathroom a whimsical feel...

Divided into areas with specific functions such as the lounge, the gaming area, the bar, an office, the tiki-god kitchen and banquette - each area could have its own soundtrack. For the lounge, I'd play the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack or retro classics from the 80's; in the bar, it'd have to be Frank Sinatra; a soothing symphony for the office; only rock 'n roll will do for the gaming table; the theme from Hawaii 5-0 in the kitchen, and Tiny Bubbles would accompany a trip to the bathroom. There's literally something for everyone - and yet it never has a hodge-podge feeling, through Rob's skilled hands it all works together.

Carefully curated Crockett memorabilia...

Behind Curtain No.1: the secret hallway...where guests hang their coats and sign in...continue on through Curtain No.2, hang a left and you're at the bar...brilliant!...

Fun nostalgic touches...

Scattered throughout are historical mementos from Rob's adopted hometown of Crockett (where he gives back by serving on the Crockett Community Foundation). Not only are local thrift-stores, flea-markets and curbsides serendipitous sources for Rob's design style but so are generous friends.

Homebaked bread and a hot cup o' Joe awaited us in the island themed kitchen...

Tiki treasures...

The Polynesian spear made its way to the States in the 1940's...it recently made its way to Rob and the Mancave by way of a generous friend...

Some of Rob's most prized mancave possessions have been given to him by friends who know their items have found a good home. Some friends have lent their talents as with the paint treatment in the bathroom and neon pieces by local artist, Bill Concannon.

You can never have too much mood lighting in the perfect mancave...

I {heart} this bench...kinda like if George Jetson built a church...

One of Rob's goals for the Mancave was to create a space with good circulation and flow. He achieved this by designing a floor plan where guests are encouraged to move around and mingle in a circular pattern; to see what's around the next corner. And thanks to the ingenious secret hallway, even when crowds swell, guests are never stuck in any one place. Our Mr. Muzinich is a brilliant space planner!

Rob's latest project...an ideal spot for a chilly evening...so the party can expand outdoors...

Another beautiful intimate seating area for quiet conversation...or champagne toast...

One last look at Rob's creative, classy, comfortable Mancave...

Rob epitomizes the Queen Without a Country ideal of using "handmade, hand-me-downs, and hand-it-overs" in a uniquely personal way to create a great environment to share with family and friends. Rob contends that people come to visit the Mancave more than they come to visit him. I beg to differ. The Mancave is truly awesome but Host-With-the-Most Rob is what makes the Mancave a true success. My question for Rob: how do you ever get people to go home?

Until you can wrangle an invite to the Mancave, I suggest a visit to explore Crockett. Relatively undiscovered Crockett, where the C&H Sugar Company has dominated the waterfront for generations, is the perfect weekend afternoon get-away - minus the crowds and pretense that can accompany other summer destinations like Carmel or the Napa Valley.

Stop in at The Dead Fish for a cocktail and the magnificent view, or how about the rustic Nantucket for a cup 'o chow-dah? Or grab a sandwich at Valona Deli then unfurl a blanket over at Alexander Park for a romantic picnic. Be sure to allow time to stroll along the main drag, Paloma Avenue, and to swing by the Crockett Museum. I predict that by the end of the day, like me, you will have fallen in love with Crockett!

Here's a helpful site for planning your trip to Crockett:

www.crockettca-chamber.org/

5 Comments

I enjoyed the tour, every nook and cranny is so light and bright. And, everything is assembled in the perfect way. Good job, Rob.

Thanks for sharing Rob's mancave, Vic, awesome pictures of an awesome home.

Posted by: Judy | 08/13/2012 at 07:21 PM

Love your piece! I've been lucky enough to hang in the mancave, and it's priceless!

Posted by: Suzanne | 08/13/2012 at 07:57 PM

Thanks,Mom! You would really enjoy it! Maybe you'll get to see it when Hilary becomes his neighbor :)
@Suzanne, Isn't it the best!?! So glad you've gotten to experience it firsthand. LUCKY!

Posted by: Victoria Cullen | 08/14/2012 at 06:01 PM