Designing around a pool table? (basement)

[simpsongal]

So we're hoping we can save enough to redo our basement this year.  I was reading through my old thread where folks gave ballpark figures and other basements threads.  We might do the guts & shell and decorate later, but I'd like to have an idea where we're going w/design so I can troll CL and get ideas.

I'm thinking of designing it around our pool table.  The table was given to us from a family friend, it's an old slate table that used to be in a Brooklyn pool hall (has the ball return and everything).  I think it dates back to 1910,  or a little later.  I'm sorry I don't have a better pic at work, but you can see the detail on the leg in this shot and the general shape of the table (the wood is like a dark mahogany color).  You can see, it's a lot bulkier than most residential tables.



At first I thought, art deco - but I'm not sure if that's really the style of this table.  Here are a few ideas:
     -brick (the real slivers) on the long back wall behind the pool table (lengthwise) and maybe ringing the 2 support columns in the brick as well. 
    - 3-piece stained glass light over the pool table too - but I don't want it to look like a 1970s basement, ya know? 
    - rectangle of ceiling tiles over the pool table, like in bronze, to sort of outline the area. 
    - Maybe a bar on one side too (that would come later). 
    - horizontal wood accent wall by the stairs?  Would this be too much?  too trendy?

We'd probably put records and concert posters on the wall - maybe lighting to spot light a few key areas? 
I think the rug would be staying for a while - it's practically new and will hold up well w/little ones. 

Any idea for working around this table?  Are the above good ideas?  Will the brick pool-hall look be odd w/off white carpeting? Any other big ideas? Like board and batten around the room or something? Basements are such vast spaces, I have trouble thinking of ways to both divide it into areas but unify it in one design scheme.

[TBM]

I could be wrong, but the pool table seems more Arts and Crafts than Art Deco to me.

[nursecramer]

I agree w TBM re: style. I think you could go pool hall vibe with brick and beer mirrors, etc. OR, a swanky arts and crafts billiards room, but probably not both.

Can I share some inspiration for my pool room that never happened?

[simpsongal]

nursecramer, those pics are pretty awesome! I was eyeing a light similar to the one in the first pic.

I wonder if they're too fancy. I'll have to show DH to see how he reacts. You know I love me some wainscoting

[FoxInFiji]

I don't know anything about pool tables but I love the brick wall idea! I would probably just do a few accents like the light and some art to "match" the table style and the rest of the space can be similar to the rest of your house. I love the light style nursecramer posted in the first picture. It's very functional and fitting for the style. Check Quoizel for a light like that. Our entry light is that brand and we love it. CL or ReStore might also have some good finds.

I would probably shy away from a darker ceiling tile detail. In a basement you want the ceilings to feel as high as possible. Instead you can break up the space with an area rug over the carpet...love the one in the first picture. A bold traditional rug like that will add color and pattern to the sold color carpet and be a lot easier to change if you ever wanted to in the future. Plus you might be able to find one for cheap if there is some damage in the center since you'll never really see it under the table.

As far as the rest of the space I would probably forgo wainscoting and stick with some more area rugs and art. I feel like stained wood wainscoting would go best with that decor and that would make the space feel darker and more closed in. A wood accent wall down the stairs would be cool but if it's really close to the brick I might skip that. Are the stairs carpeted or wood? I probably wouldn't do wood stairs + wood wall.

The more lighting the better in a basement. Some down lights that wash the wall with the brick would look awesome and maybe an art light or two. I've always wanted some sort of picture light like this:


When we had the floor up over our finished basement we adding in a ton of recessed lights, put in low voltage lights to wash the wall over the bar/sink area, and put in some boxes for pendant lights for a future desk area. We might also add some sconces someday. Going from 2 flushmount lights to all of that made a huge difference in the space.

[simpsongal]

FoxInFiji, thank you for the thoughtful reply! After talking w/DH, I think we will stick w/the upscale bar & brick vibe. The Arts & Craft rooms nursecramer posted are gorgeous but we're more the beer drinking, concert posters on display type (for the basement, at least).

I love the idea of having tiny lights wash the brick wall and the picture lights would be awesome in a few key spots!

There's a rather large opening between the basement and the gym space w/old accordion doors - I'd like to swap them for woods sliding doors stained in a mahogany w/frosted glass. I'll definitely be back seeking input and ideas!