The original barn staircase wasn't particularly child safe, nor did it have enough design Ooomph, so I recently decided to change it.
We added 'risers' to the metre-wide steps, we've put in a balustrade, and taken out any squeaks caused by the previous metal supports. In doing so we have found space for a tiny but very useful pantry (bottom of stairs on left), and created a small area at the back of the landing for book shelves. It's altogether a much better job.
I have always said that a stairs, or even an exterior flight of steps, should make a major statement. I hold no truck for mean-spirited building in these areas.
At the top of the stairs the wall to the right was a mess; too many competing beams created a mish-mash of wood and plaster, which detracted from the simplicity of the whole design.
It has now been simplified, and is in harmony with the rest of the upstairs. There are still skirting boards to be fixed, but otherwise most is done.
p.s. I've just found this picture of how it was before.
52 comments:
You have done a wonderful job making that balustrade - it all looks great.
I had a little help!!!
From Wills?
The wood look is simple and beautiful. Can never have enough book shelves !
From a professional.
It looks normal to me.
There's plenty of wood in the barn, and as for book shelves; you're right.
Normal for the UK; not for here so much. It's just a standard stairs; no more, no less.
I designed our stairs.... but the architect and the menuisier had great difficulty in following the design.
The need was for wide and simple....much like the above...about 1.5 metres wide.... not to make a statement, but to accommodate a stairlift because we want to stay living here as long as possible. The first submission that came back to us was 70cm wide, very steep with a tight, narrow stepped quarter turn....nothing like the wide and shallow design I drew [with measurements]....nuff said. Eventually we ended up with something close....1.4 wide, deep 24cm steps and a half landing on the turn!
At the moment, though, it is 70cm wide.... there are large pumpkins on either side of the steps!!
My original idea for the barn was to have a really spectacular sweeping staircase that would have been a real eye-catcher. Unfortunately, trying to find anyone capable of making such a thing is out of the question.
It looks lovely! I like the wood flooring. I think when you relax you're actually planning projects.
Greetings Maria x
Ahhh! You needed our guy.... that is his thing, normally... he did a fantastic job on some friends' stairs which incorporated a full U-turn...ours was, perhaps, just too simple and he couldn't get his bonce around it! But, to be honest, with your vertical planking, I think it fits perfectly! Especially having now seen the original.
What happened with the goat? Was it running too fast and met the wall mid leap?
We should keep a register of 'decent' craftsmen.
I've now varnished the new bit of flooring, and it all looks very good.
Not guilty. My son's wee joke!
Nice job.
Nice staircase. Our house got its staircase built at the end of last year, all hand built by a gem of an English craftsman. Still needs varnishing, but it has given lungs to the house!
Love those beams. Staircases are a tricky thing to get right, yours look very good.
My idea of a big statement would have been a metal staircase.
I find that working with wood is so satisfying. If I had made that I'd certainly have been very happy.
Looks great. Stairs can really make or break a house I find. The ones before didn't look very safe! I refused a job this year after a lady wanted some covering in polished oak on the steps, I said it would end up killing her or her granddaughter so I wouldn't do it - far too slippy!
Stone, glass, metal or wood, I would feel uncomfortable without risers and a sturdy handrail (both sides!). All stairs should be child and dog friendly.
A pantry is a must in my dream home.
He did!
A staircase is so important to a house. This isn't at all spectacular, but it holds its own.
It would have been nice to find an old 'antique' one, but no luck.
I did consider it. I had a local metal-worker around to look at it and give some ideas, but his design brain was fixed in the 1950's and all his ideas were ghastly.
He did a good job, especially as he started off with someone else's work as a base.
The varnish I've put on the steps is non-slip; specially made for stairs. It works too.
The barn now has two pantries. One which is a pukka room, and this new tiny one. I suspect that both might eventually become storage rooms.
That is so much safer for the children and also more aesthetically pleasing !!! .... and, maybe a larger sweeping staircase would have been a bit too much . We have a Victorian staircase ..... nothing wonderful but, I do love the way the Victorians always tried to make everything and anything as beautiful and interesting as possible..... although, I also love a modern look too !!!! The barn is looking brilliant .... are you on the home stretch now ? XXXX
A beautiful improvement, and I love the ideas for the "found" space!
Under stair cupboard, long pre Harry Potter, was my space to play in but the family used to call it the Glory Hole.
Here is a tip which is either too late or not needed: The house where the Boxing Day photo was taken is a new build, wooden framed one on the footprint of a Dutch Barn, and she plastered the inside walls with real lime mortar. You would not believe how it softens the acoustics.
The old stairs may have been more safe for children than old folks. I now cast a critical eye on all I may have to use. Your new configuration is lovely.
It's interesting to see the before and after versions of the stairway. What you've planned has been well executed. The light inside that barn is remarkable.
Fun to think of children's feet going up and down those stairs. Maybe along with a dog?
Best wishes.
If you run out of projects at home Cro, you could always pop over to Blighty and give us a hand:) I'll be posting about the house once we own it, so you can give me your tuppence worth.
Jean
We still have another bathroom to install, and a few other minor matters, but we're getting there.
Plenty of wasted space too, which I find important.
I did consider a lime render, but I was a bit worried about it. I might try it somewhere else some day.
I hope it'll be 'safe' without looking as if it's 'safety conscious'.
It is very light; our small house isn't. I like both styles. Ours is very cosy, and the barn is light and spacious.
Gosh, you must be desperate to move in. I shall certainly follow your progress.
It tends to crack, but it can be seen to after it has settled down.
Very noisy too, clomping up and down it would wake the baby !
The new balustrade looks good, and the addition of risers will be a great improvement - especially from the safety point of view. It looks much better - less utilitarian than the original flight of stairs.
Even though you've used a special non-slip varnish, don't you worry that Kellogg could stumble or slip, carrying the baby, or the little boy could slip and fall down the uncarpeted stairs?
I'm afraid I'd be less inclined to worry about the impact of the design, and more concerned about the safety aspects.
Open tread stairs were very popular in the 60's and I knew someone who slipped on wooden treads, carrying a young child, with tragic consequences.
When are Wills and family moving in? You've worked so hard to make a comfortable home for them, it would be a pity if it lies empty.
They have already moved in, but they're probably staying in Oz for the next 2 year or so. Safety is always a concern with stairs, I'd still like to put some type of rubberised surface on the steps.... we'll see.
Don't. Bare feet dont slip and nor do slippers/thongs. You can stumble on any surface. The boy will be too big to carry and on his own two feet before you know it.
I hope you haven't been doing this over Christmas, especially after I saw your photograph of Lady M's magnificent cake. Happy New Year to you both.
That's what I keep saying, but I'm surrounded by fussy women to worry about EVERYTHING.
I've had a couple of days off, but I'll be back at it tomorrow.
Tell them I said it will be all right and to stop fussing.
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