Monday, March 20, 2023

GAME ROOM AND HOBBY SPACE

 

Game Room/Man Cave as seen from the entrance.

I've noticed that there has been a call (for lack of a better term) for bloggists to post on their gaming spaces.  Although teetering between being fashionably late and missing the party entirely, I thought I'd put up an update on the Meanderer's Mess, ie, my gaming space and hobby arrangements. The above picture is of the Mess in it's non-game configuration, with two standard banquet tables at the ready in the center for projects, impromptu games, putting things down, etc, etc. Continuing on from the above...
...the view along the right hand wall, where we see the all-important cube refrigerator, bookcase, and display cases...

...the large display case holds various and sundry collectibles and momentos. The bookcase houses a concentrated (post cull) reference library along with collections of rules and a selection of sentimental favorites from my old school hex and counter wargames and wargame magazines. In the organizer on top of the bookshelf, I keep all of my different types of dice and a handy selection of game markers (different colored pipe cleaners, stones, "gems", poker discs, etc, etc).  I also keep a ready selection of writing materials for players as well as a few game master tools, like a laser pointer and a laser line (to judge line of sight). Continuing on along the right wall..
...is the latest edition to the room: this display case.  Having completed my "big knight" project, I realized that these are on a scale unlike anything else I have, and as such required something other than my usual utilitarian box-on-a-shelf storage solution. Having admired many other gamers' displays, it occurred to me I could display this collection (taking inspiration from how action figure collectors display their collections). [Aside: I intend to have a post on the completion of my big knight project in the coming weeks.]
Along the back wall: I keep a few terrain items and other game support materials on the floor under the shelves. At the extreme right is a box containing my magnetized markers for various game systems as well as other game support materials. In the the shelves are my "active" collections: Thirty Years War/17th Century (in 28mm and 6mm), Colonials, and my post-Napoleonic 19th Century 28mm armies (Danes, Prussians, Austrians, Russians, Hungarians, and Romanians). The small cabinet at the left houses my Kriegspiel Block BBB collection and apparatus. I use the top of this long shelf as a handy set up area when running games. 
In the corner along the back wall I have a third (foldable) banquet table that I add to the others when I want to run a "full sized" game. The portfolio holds the maps for my BBB half scale Kriegspiel Block system. In the shelves behind the table and in the boxes on top of the shelf are my battle mats and table coverings. The black bag is for figure transport. 
A closer view of the military art along the back wall, a bit of atmosphere goes a long way (you may clix pix for BIG PIX in this post for a closer view).  Continuing from the back wall along to the left side of the room heading back to the entrance...
...Top left, a shelf containing my "current use" rules systems, organized in boxes fthat contain the rules, reference sheets, scenarios, and any other game-specific dice or apparatus for each game system--so when running BBB, for instance, all I need to do is pull out the BBB box. I also keep my tape measures, dice trays, other game master aids, and toy coins here. Top Right, moving on to mid-room is a shelf with  my terrain stored underneath and the top used as a snack table (logistics are an important part of any game).  Continuing along the wall looking back at the entrance...
...Above Left: my reading chair (new floor lamp is on the way) and desk. Moving to the other side of the door (above Right), is my sword collection and antiquarian military books (shelved under the Saba German Radi0)--and a few more bits of art. 
The room configured for a four player game...
...I set up my game master stool at the end of the table (within handy reach of the shelf behind). I provide side tables for the players to help manage drinks, snacks, dice, player references, etc.  Moving on from the fashionable Meanderer's Mess to the "annex" spaces of hobby management here at Meanderer Central...

...the attic holds overflow and lesser used collections--above left, my 15mm Napoleonics and my 6mm League of Augsuburg collections; above right, my 28mm Napoleonics (Prussians, French, and Poles) 35 boxes in all. Bottom picture above: the attic also houses my board wargames (mostly of the hex and counter variety).  Going from the top of the house to the underworld annex...
...aka, the basement--I have boxed and stored my basing materials, flocking, and other tools of creation under the basement steps (being semi retired from painting, I pull stuff out only as needed)...
...which was the case with my recent foray into the big knight project, which did cause me to pull things out and put them on my work table (above left), which you see in its current state of chaos, post-project. Formerly dedicated as my painting area, thus table is now used as a workbench for the usual fix-it jobs associated with home ownership.  Above right: I still maintain my paints, varnishes, brushes, etc underneath the man-table--and it was a good thing, too, since I needed them to do my latest project.

Well, that concludes my tour and update.
Excelsior!

29 comments:

  1. Ed, you have a neat and functional gaming space. What a wonderful and cozy escape you created for you and your friends. Yours is a fine example of a gentleman's gaming room.

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    1. Thanks, Jonathan. Now that I've entered the retired phase of life, I do find myself "retiring" to my space and enjoying it just a bit more.

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    1. Thanks, Michal: can't say that it's always so neat, but best foot forward for the pix :)

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  3. A very impressive set up you have there, for sure, Ed!

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    1. It was your reply to my comment on your post that kicked me in the bottom and got me to put up this one: thanks, Keith!

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  4. A very impressive space...how lucky you are.....Regards.

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    1. Lucked into a house that had the space and even more so, a wife who insisted that it be mine :)

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  5. An amazing space and a tidy up well done.

    Of course my connection to my stone age ancestors is strong. You know, drystone, one room, thatched hut, swept out every month or two and shared with the cow, chickens etc., so my room Is always more than a bit cluttered and I tend to be bit uncomfortable when visiting tidy friends. Like an officer cadet invited to a formal dinner at the officer's mess, trying to recall the toast of the day and which fork to use and worried about getting gravy or wine stains on his borrowed mess kit! 🙂

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    1. Reminds me of an adjacent feeling of being the new junior officer in the outfit under the judgmental stare of the colonel's wife at some mandatory social affair. I'd rather tidy up my room :)

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    2. There is always something more intimidating. Good precept!

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  6. A space (and collections) to be proud of. A great place to share a game with your friends. Happy to be among those lucky enough to be able to.

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  7. Gawd that's very beat and tidy Ed. My room looks like a couple of hand grenades have just gone off.

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    1. Although there is a place for everything, not everything is always in its place (except when I'm taking pictures!)

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  8. man, at least the hobby space shows SOME disarray and doesn't make me feel like a total slob. unlike the rest of the space; though I'd like to think that f I did have dedicated game area that i'd keep it kinda nice (by baring entry to the kids and wife).

    thanks for sharing! 😀

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    1. The mess is a steady-state affair (sort of like the laws physics)--I've just displaced the jumble and clutter to the attic and the basement.

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  9. A splendid looking wargames room Ed…
    As Morrison mansions is undergoing building works at the moment I can only dream of such a nice tidy environment.

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Know of the disruptions of renovation: when we've had work done, all the stuff that needs to get out of the way goes into my room. Always a bother, but double the benefit once it's done.

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  10. Complete and utter envy on my part Ed! I'm always amazed at the space you generally have in your houses compared to this side of the pond. Maybe on day I'll be able to have something similar, if I can persuade my wife that is...

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    1. Our place has an attached two car garage with a room over it, which is known as a "bonus" room. Not an entirely uncommon configuration for places in this neck of the woods once you crack a certain square footage. Not all places have them, though, and it was something I had an eye out for when we were looking: I do feel fortunate that we landed a place with one (and that I was given title to the space!).

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  11. Wow! Lovely room, decoration and collection Ed! Beautiful.

    Best wishes,
    Jan

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    1. Thanks, Jan. It is the sort of space one grows up imagining that they will have one day. I feel fortunate.

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  12. Amazing room. I am consumed with envy when I compare it to my messy and crowded cellar... my wife is making a flank attack to take it over!

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    1. I try to not take having such a space for granted--let's hope that being well dug in your cellar/man space is immune to spousal outflanking maneuvers!

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  13. A delightful dedicated space with annexes how good is that?!
    Best Iain

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    1. "Annexes"--now there's an inspiration. I'll have to start referring to the basement and attic as my "annexes"!

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