Garage Kings

Work Hard, Play Hard

Travis Owens

After purchasing a unit at Homebase, what started as an “empty shell” quickly turned into the garage escape of Travis Owens’ dreams.

PHOTOS BY DANIEL NEUHOFF/CREATIVE REVOLVER

“I wanted to create a space for both work and play, used to entertain clients, employees, and friends alike,” says Owens.

The mezzanine level boasts a home office where Owens works daily. After a hard day’s work, he only has to head downstairs to practice his swing at his golf simulator or catch up on his favorite shows in the lounge area, often accompanied by a friend or two.

Owens also wanted the garage to reflect his personality and interests.

“I’m an outdoor enthusiast, and I have displayed some of my most memorable hunts, as well as some of my golf awards, throughout the years,” shares Owens. “I also have a wall filled with photos of my family and some of the artwork my kids have made for me up in my office. These are things I look at every day to remind me of why I go to work every day.”

During the building process, one of the biggest challenges Owens encountered was dealing with underground utilities in the space. Owens and his team had to cut into the concrete, modify electrical service lines, and reroute plumbing to accommodate the design.

“We had to shut down power to several other units and individually go into other spaces to ensure everything was working appropriately,” adds Owens. “It was a pain, but we got to meet our great neighbors!”

While Owens has countless memories in his garage, one of his favorites was in January of this year.

“It was my birthday weekend, and it was supposed to snow like crazy,” shares Owens. “I had a few of my buddies come over with generators, food, and drinks to prepare for the ‘snowpocalypse.’ We were prepared to be snowed in for at least a couple of days.
It turns out we didn’t get more than a minor dusting, but we stayed up all night playing golf in the simulator and eating junk food like we were in middle school. It was one of the most fun weekends I can remember.”

For those looking to create a luxurious garage space of their own, Owens advises: “Make it your own. This is my happy place, and it’s completely customized to what makes me happy and feel at peace. Every man needs a space where they can relax and unwind.”

From Storage to Sanctuary

Philip Bryan

When Philip Bryan first purchased his garage unit at Homebase, it was intended for extra storage for items that he and his wife, Jan, didn’t have room for at home; however, after retiring, Bryan realized how much more useful the space could be.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS HENDRIX/CREATIVE REVOLVER

“Several friends and neighbors had golf simulators, and since I enjoy golf, I started wondering if we could make one work in our unit,” says Bryan. “That was really where it all began.”

The Bryans started by adding the golf simulator, and other updates eventually followed. Among other amenities, the unit boasts a lounge area, kitchenette, workout space, bathroom, and a mezzanine with additional seating.

“Jan has a great eye for design, and she helped turn what could have simply been a golf space into something comfortable and inviting,” adds Bryan. “Before long, we had created a complete man cave.”

Golf-related artwork lines the walls, as well as an Auburn Tigers flag, paying homage to the Bryans’ favorite team. Sleek furniture and floating shelves with tasteful décor further complete the space.

“The garage is a great combination of both of our design choices,” says Bryan. “It feels masculine and relaxed without feeling like a typical garage.”

While designing the space, the biggest challenge the Bryans faced was fitting so many different uses into one long space, without making it feel crowded.

“We had to carefully plan around the simulator while still allowing room for seating, entertaining, exercising, and storage,” says Bryan. “Taking it one area at a time helped everything come together.”

Looking back on the transformation, one of Bryan’s favorite parts was watching a simple storage unit gradually become a place he and Jan could genuinely enjoy, and the result is something the couple will continue to cherish.

“What makes this project special is that we took a space we already owned and gave it an entirely new purpose,” says Bryan. “Instead of simply storing things there, we created a place to enjoy our interests, entertain friends, and spend time together.”

Blending the Past and Present

Josh Cain

When Josh Cain purchased his property in 2015, it came with a familiar piece of Ooltewah’s history: Plott’s Repair Shop, an old mechanic’s garage that operated from the 1950s to the late 1990s.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS HENDRIX/CREATIVE REVOLVER

Rather than tear it down, Cain and his family chose to preserve the garage’s history and character while also updating the space to give it new life.

“For many locals, the former repair shop was a beloved part of the community, so preserving its history was important to us,” shares Cain. “While we updated the building and brought it into the present, we were careful to hold onto the details that made it special, including the original hand-painted Champion Spark Plugs sign that still remains on the exterior.”

Today, that old repair shop houses the offices for Cain Development, the groom’s lounge for The Gray Dove, and a comfortable and inviting place for the Cain family to enjoy. For a family known for its businesses, sports legacy, and strong family ties, the garage has become a place where all those interests come together.

“What makes the garage so unique is its versatility,” adds Cain.
“It seamlessly blends business, entertaining, and our personal interests all under one roof. It’s a place where we can work, gather with family and friends, and enjoy our passion for classic cars – all while surrounded by a piece of local history.”

Over the years, Cain and his family have filled the space with pieces that have caught their eye and reflect their interests. Rustic signs, a bar made out of the hood of a car, and vintage motorcycles hung on the wall add to the garage’s rustic atmosphere, while a pool table, flat-screen TV, and retro arcade games offer plenty of entertainment.

“The garage already had a vintage charm of its own, so we embraced it,” says Cain. “The result is a reflection of the things we love most – a mix of nostalgia, character, and, of course, plenty of classic muscle cars.”

From family gatherings to afternoons spent admiring classic cars, Cain and his family have made countless memories in the garage, but some of the most meaningful moments come from sharing the space with the community that remembers what it once was.

“Over the years, people have stopped to take photos, reminisce about the past, and even gift us hand-drawn paintings of the building,” says Cain. “Those moments are a special reminder that this garage is more than just a space – it’s a piece of Ooltewah’s history.”

Park, Play, & Repeat

Dan Case

When Dan Case learned that Homebase was building private garages near his neighborhood, he jumped on the opportunity to own a unit before groundbreaking even began. As a longtime car enthusiast, he immediately saw the potential for a space of his own.

PHOTOS BY BEKAH BERRY/CREATIVE REVOLVER

“Our garage is mainly used to store our collector cars, as well as prep them for car shows and a little maintenance,” shares Case. “We also use it as a hangout space for college and NFL football or movie nights.”

While the unit was still empty, Case got to work transforming it into a functional retreat for his cars, hobbies, and spending time with family and friends. He worked with several teams to bring his vision to life, starting with a base coat on the floors for easy spill and chemical cleanups before adding the steel structure, framing, and finished interior. Rough pine was used to finish the walls, and the floor of the mezzanine was built to resemble the wood bed of an old pickup truck.

“We also incorporated what we felt we would need to store the vehicles by adding a car lift,” says Case. “The mezzanine was a must to add additional square footage to the space, and we added a full bath so if you’re working on cars and need to shower and clean up, you can do that as well.”

As a family of football fans, flags for the Oklahoma Sooners, Crimson Tide, and the Tennessee Volunteers line the space to represent all of their favorite teams. An avid collector, Case’s collection of vintage and neon signs are also displayed throughout the unit.

Whether hosting friends or family or just dropping by to take a quick nap on the couch, Case has found plenty of ways to enjoy the space, but some of his favorite memories come from bringing the garage to life.

“I think my favorite part of the garage was the process of building it and solving the problems that came along with it,” says Case. “We are so proud of how it turned out, and looking back at the process and the creativity to get it where it is today is so gratifying.”

For those who are thinking of transforming their own garage, Case says to first: “Make a list of how you intend to use it, what you need to make it work, and what brings you joy and happiness to spend time there.”