How We Transformed a Loft Into a Pub-Inspired Retreat
Every home has spaces brimming with potential, just waiting for the right vision to bring them to life. For this project, an upstairs loft outside the home theater started as a functional but uninspired area—its only standout feature was a shuffleboard table. The homeowners, avid collectors of antiques, wanted to transform it into a cozy and stylish space that blended their love of vintage treasures with the functionality of modern interior design.
The result is a warm, pub-inspired retreat that feels personal, inviting, and perfectly suited for entertaining. By thoughtfully combining antique accents with custom design solutions, this once-overlooked loft now shines as a comfortable and unique gathering space. Let’s take a closer look at how this transformation came to life.
Before: A Space of Untapped Potential
Before we began, the upstairs loft area outside the home theater was a missed opportunity. With a shuffleboard table as its primary feature, the space lacked purpose and character. While functional, it didn’t reflect the homeowners’ unique tastes or their vision for a cozy entertaining area.
The room felt “cookie-cutter” with standard finishes and a layout that didn’t fully embrace its potential. The clients, who are avid collectors of antiques, wanted the space to feel more like an extension of their style—offering a hint of an English pub but without becoming overly themed. They envisioned a custom, comfortable space that showcased the unique treasures they had collected over the years.
Key Challenges Before the Project:
Underutilized loft space
A design that felt generic and lacked personality
Incorporating antiques without making the room feel outdated
An unusual room shape
During: Redefining the Loft’s Purpose
Once the project kicked off, our team focused on giving this space a distinct personality, blending modern convenience with the timeless charm of the clients’ antique collection. The goal was to create a pub-inspired room, but one that remained sophisticated and comfortable for entertaining.
Redesigning the Layout and Furniture
One of the first challenges we tackled was the furniture. The room’s shape required creative thinking, especially when it came to selecting a rug. A standard option wouldn’t have worked, so we opted for a custom-cut rug to perfectly fit the room’s odd dimensions. This allowed us to balance the space while providing warmth and comfort underfoot.
We also modified high-top pub tables to fit the room. Instead of traditional pub heights, which felt too imposing for the space, we custom-cut the tables to a height that offered a more intimate feel. This not only solved the scale issue but also made the room feel more tailored to the client’s needs.
Blending Modern and Traditional Touches
We embraced the clients’ love for antiques by incorporating several of their found treasures into the design. However, to prevent the room from feeling too dated, we paired these antiques with modern elements.
One of the most innovative touches was the use of a Frame TV. This modern technology solution was cleverly framed to blend in with the surrounding artwork, ensuring that the technology didn’t overpower the room’s old-world charm.
Paint and Wallpaper
To give the room a bespoke look, we selected a rich trim color that added instant depth and sophistication. This was complemented by wallpaper that nodded to traditional English design, striking a balance between classic elegance and contemporary refinement. This combination brought warmth and personality to the space, making it feel like a room with a story to tell.
Custom Window Treatments
To soften the room’s edges and reinforce the blend of traditional and modern styles, we selected Roman shades for the windows. These provided a nod to classic English interiors while maintaining a clean and understated look, perfectly aligning with the client’s request for an elegant but not overly thematic space.
After: A Pub-Inspired Retreat
The final result of this project is a warm, inviting space that beautifully balances traditional and modern elements. Once a lifeless loft, this space has been transformed into a sophisticated and functional retreat, ideal for entertaining friends and family.
An English Pub Vibe
While the room has elements reminiscent of an English pub, the overall design remains subtle and timeless. The wallpaper and Roman shades are traditional yet understated, while the antique pieces create a sense of history.
Modern Conveniences That Disappear into the Design
The Frame TV, when not in use, blends seamlessly with the artwork, allowing the room to retain its cozy and curated feel. Meanwhile, the custom furnishings—including the shortened pub tables and the cut-to-size rug—give the space a feel that wouldn’t have been achieved with off-the-shelf solutions.
A Space That Feels Personal
By incorporating the homeowners’ found antiques, we ensured that the room feels uniquely theirs. From vintage artwork and games, these treasures add character and authenticity to the space. At the same time, the modern elements ensure that the room is practical and comfortable for entertaining.
This project was all about blending old-world charm with modern functionality to create a space that truly feels one-of-a-kind. By incorporating carefully selected antiques and balancing them with contemporary design elements, the loft now reflects the homeowners’ personality while offering a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for entertaining.
If you’re ready to transform a space in your home into something uniquely yours, the team at CHD Interiors can help bring your vision to life. Contact us today to get started.