The homeowner’s possessions and personal artifacts adorn the space. “I’m proud of my Irish-American heritage instilled in me from my father and uncles,” Brady says. He wanted to pay homage to that lineage with this room. Framed
Irish and American flags flank the room. A simplified version of his family’s crest has been etched into the glass of the pub’s doors.
Display areas throughout the room allow Brady to show off special items. “One friend donated a flask, another a piece of Irish china that his mother gave
him,” he says. “My dad gave me a German beer stein from his time in the army forty years ago.
These, to me, are the most important collectibles.” A baseball bat, autographed baseballs, and a vintage train light he found
online also decorate the room.
The room’s contents make it a genuine reflection of the owner. But it is, after all, a
bar. Taking that into consideration, there is a kegerator, refrigerator, wine
cooler, icemaker, sink, and plenty of storage space for glassware. The rich
wood tones one expects to find in a bar are echoed in the window and door
framing, fireplace surround and cabinets, as well as paneling on the very top
of the ceiling. Yet it is the unexpected cool blues that complement the warm
wood and golden wall color.
While the color scheme reflects the homeowner’s love for the Fighting Irish, it also mimics hues used elsewhere. “The Notre Dame colors were great because there are blues and golden creams used
throughout Jay’s home,” says Deliman-Burke. “These colors allowed it to flow with the styling in the rest of the house. Even
though it’s a game room, we didn’t want it to seem silly. This palette lends a touch of sophistication.”
Bars and game spaces are natural gathering places. Thought went into each piece
placed in this room and how it could facilitate fun and relaxation. The blue
leather barstools with nailhead trim swivel, as do the club chairs, making it
easy for people to converse or watch games. Between the club chairs sits a
golden leather ottoman, which can provide additional seating or serve as a
footrest or a convenient place to hold a tray of drinks or food. The gas
fireplace next to the seating area is framed with chic blue granite.
The two TVs, located on opposite sides of the room from each other, make for
maximum viewing opportunities no matter where you sit. A comfy window seat next
to the pool table allows for easy conversation between spectators and those
playing pool.
The pool table’s custom cover is another nod to Notre Dame, embellished with the school’s logo. The absence of window coverings on the far wall takes full advantage of
the prime waterfront view, while blinds on the wall next to the bar allow for
privacy between this house and the neighbor’s. The balcony outside the room provides a welcome addition of outdoor space and
offers ample room for friends and family to step outside to enjoy a cigar.
While Deliman-Burke and Brady did not want the room to come off as silly, they
didn’t want a constrained feel either. “We didn’t want it to feel stuffy, as if you should be sipping cognac and planning to
play polo afterward,” Deliman-Burke says. “Jay is not like that, and his family and friends aren’t either. We wanted the room to feel comfortable.”
For the homeowner, the room has added the perfect place to relax and entertain. “My favorite thing in the room has to be the overall fun feel of it and its
coziness,” Brady says. “The pub is used during parties and family get-togethers, the two biggest being
St. Patrick’s Day and the Fourth of July—my favorite holidays.” Stylish, sophisticated, and still cozy, this room raises the bar on what
in-home bars should be. 
