He may want to hint at the "cage" if he is going for some authenticity.

I'm not following, palimpsest.

Oh, the bar had a cage for the liquor, usually a screen of spindles kind of like stair balusters. I was looking for a picture but haven't found a good one yet. It's one of those things that could look 1970s hokey though, if not done right.

I'd tell him he can do anything he wants, downstairs in his pub...if you can do whatever you want, upstairs in your kitchen :)

Personally, I like lots of dark wood, dark green fabric, some brown leather and maybe a bit of plaid...with brass rails and accents, but I don't know if that would be accurate at all.

lavender, your ideas are right up my alley and sound wonderful.

the house has been a team effort, but he calls most of the shots in the basement since it seems he's leaving a lot of the decorating upstair to me.