My British Pub-Inspired TV Lounge

The most awkward space in my home has become the best. This TV lounge on the top floor of our home was inspired by the cozy atmosphere and maximalist design of British pubs.

We moved to Wicker Park three and a half years ago and have been decorating slowly. There is no rush; we plan to stay here for a while. We started with Gwen’s nursery, our bedroom and bathroom, and Charles’s office. The dining room, living room, and my office are still evolving.

The Before

Table of Contents

The one room that we didn’t know what to do with was on the top floor. The top floor is half an outdoor terrace and half an interior room. We knew we would entertain frequently, so we opted to add a wet bar to the space as it was being constructed. Part of the room is home to Charles’s workout space, but the rest sat empty – except for putting an old TV above the wet bar. When we ordered a chair for the living room and a sofa bed for Charles’s office, we thought ordering a sectional for the empty room made sense.

Why did we choose red? Who knows! The very red sectional sat alone upstairs while we tried to figure out how to finish the space and while we worked on other rooms.

My Inspiration

Then, when we were in London last year…

and we went to this little pub outside of London and I saw this reddish sofa and was inspired. Our awkward red sofa room already had a wet bar, so turning it into a pub-inspired space made sense!

My Pub-Inspired TV Lounge

Here is how we turned our awkward half-room into a space that makes us feel like we are in a London pub.

How do you make a room feel like a British pub?

When I thought about creating a space that seemed like a British pub, two things came to mind: using bold patterns and embracing color. There are lots of ways to mix colors and patterns. How do you make it feel British?

Classic British Design Elements

When I think about British design, I think of William Morris, the grandfather of the Arts and Crafts Movement, which rose to popularity in the late 19th century. This is one of those rare instances when my MA in Art History came in handy. I figured the best way to make the room feel like it was in England was to use a classic William Morris wallpaper design.

Once you know William Morris’s designs, you see them everywhere. Ruggable and McGee & Co. have William Morris collaborations. Although it’s become trendy again, many would argue that it never goes out of style.

I chose the Blackthorn pattern for the wallpaper since it has hints of red. I have used peel-and-stick wallpaper in several rooms, and we ordered this wallpaper from Spoonflower. Somehow, it was the easiest to hang. It might have been because it was just half a wall, but it was easier!

Working with The Finish

I had some basic ideas but wasn’t sure how to pull it all together. So, I called The Finish, an interior design service that offers hourly design services and takes on smaller projects. We had a wonderful experience working with the company for Charles’s office.

The Finish paired us with Jola, a local designer. She took our idea for a British pub and ran with it, coming up with impactful ideas like adding brass accents.

Finding the Perfect Rug

The biggest design challenge was finding a rug that would fit the room, which already had so much going on. Luckily, Jola found one that we love.

The British Pub-Inspired TV Lounge

Beyond the William Morris Blackthorn wallpaper and the beautiful rug, the room has so many design elements. The bold red custom sofa from Roger and Chris is a centerpiece. We bought a sofa from the brand over six years ago, and we have been so impressed by how the sofa has held up against moves and a toddler intent on destroying it. The customer service can’t be beat; Chris makes sure each piece of furniture fits your needs, offering his expertise on furniture depth, height, and fabric. (Not sponsored, just a big fan)!

Jola connected me with Carolina, who did a phenomenal job adding the wainscotting, finding coordinating cabinet doors, and painting it all. I wanted the TV to blend into the space, so I added some flexible adhesive molding around it. It looks like a frame TV—even though it isn’t!

My friend Andy from Plants Delivered Chicago found the perfect happy little plant, and we placed it in an antique brass planter with a lion motif. The brass animal heads are such a fun addition to the room.

I bought the little ceramic jug at Alice’s in Notting Hill many years ago, and it has the perfect home here. Jola helped to select a variety of pillows. The Union Jack bunting with a fun final touch.

We are thrilled with this TV lounge! It’s the perfect cozy place to hang out and watch a movie in the evening.