The Story
Featured In Orlando Leisure Magazine
Featured In Orlando Magazine
Back when George and Gretchen Smith were in college, the college president often invited some of the students to his basement rathskeller. George and Gretchen were two of those students who frequented the president’s unique pub.
“They were good memories,” Gretchen fondly recalls.
The pub was something that George never forgot. Years later, George decided it was time to build a rathskeller that would remind him of the one in his college president’s basement. But in keeping with contemporary trends, George decided his rathskeller needed an adjoining theatre.
The Smiths were familiar with PSG Construction from a remodeling project they completed in a previous home. Their current residence, recently built in Alaqua, contained an existing recreation area on the second floor. The Smiths contacted PSG Construction once again to help create George’s dream in the space.
Fashioned after a Scottish pub, the rathskeller and adjoining threatre are tucked away on the second floor of the home and accessed by a private staircase. PSG Construction worked with their cabinet company to create the pub that is 20 feet by 26 feet in size. To keep inconveniences to a minimum and avoid carrying materials through the house, PSG constructed a temporary outside staircase. The staircase led to one of the windows in the construction space so that workers could access the space without coming through the house.
The pub’s cabinetry was custom built from maple wood and includes a curved counter, curved glass cabinet doors, drink rail and granite countertop. The space also includes details like wainscoting, a tongue-and-groove ceiling, and exposed wood beams, all custom milled from maple wood. The wood is stained a rich, deep mahogany common to European pubs. Recessed lighting and a skylight provide just the right amount of subdued lighting for the room.
True to many pubs, the Smith rathskeller is outfitted with a pool table. The stained glass light hanging over the pool table came from St. Andrew’s Golf Club in Scotland.
The adjacent 14 foot by 25 foot sunken theatre can easily handle a sizable group of moviegoers or accommodate spill over from the pub. The walls are completely enveloped in raised maple paneling with fluted detailing crafted from the same maple wood as the pub. Multiple columns line the walls and help give the room the appearance of a stately public theatre. Half a dozen concealed speakers surround the room for optimum sound.
Gretchen says that she and her husband don’t entertain a lot, but the room was constructed for her husband’s enjoyment and to fulfill his dream. Recently, however, the couple held a football party in the new space.
“We had 18 people in for the party,” Gretchen says. “It’s just a wonderful party room!”
The rathskeller and theatre are unique rooms that fulfill a dream for the Smiths. The “good memories” that George and Gretchen had in college can be relived again every time they visit their rathskeller and theatre room tucked away on the second floor.
SOURCES
Interior Trim & Doors – Residential Building Supply
