Water will take the path of least resistance so it doesn't matter how far away the water source is located. If the soil was loose when your home was built the water may have formed a path back then. Over time it could have eaten the dirt that is under the concrete at the bottom of the steps and things are now starting to tip into a hole. Once water that is running towards your basement wall comes in contact with it, again, it will take the path of least resistance going downward by going between the dirt and the wall. Plan on having to seal the basement outside wall, replace the drain tile that should be near the bottom of the wall, and maybe even install a new staircase. A shop vac attached to 10 or 15 feet of 2" pvc pipe that has a couple 90 degree units attached at one end should help with keeping the gutters clear. Just hook it over the gutter, and vacuum away the leaves and water.

I do have an architect, a full set of plans with everything you mentioned - of course I needed all of this before I went through the planning and building process which is very intense/extensive here. Basically, what it boils down too, is that I can't pay other 'experts' for fixing mistakes that should have never been made and this was what was happening. I did try this strategy initially. The changes I am doing are rather small (except for the one above- that did change quite a bit- and I worked with both the structural engineer and the GC when we made that change). If I explained in full what I have changed, fixed, made to code etc- I think you would understand the situation. My main problem is that I didn't look at these drawings (especially the interior flow) soon enough. This was such a dumb mistake on my part and I'm kicking myself again and again for it. Overall I find the feedback here is helpful- I often ask architects direct questions on houzz and am amazed that some of the most highly respected firms reach out and answer them promptly and in detail. Crisp Architects and Heydt Architects are great examples. And with a good GC- you can go very far if you have some design experience. I realize my experience could have been completely different but we've had a lot of mistakes (that I attribute to the crazy work environmental, new inexperienced hires, sloppiness, and subcontracting out our project) and a bit of greed mixed in. That is how it turned out and I am dealing with it. I believe my involvement in my house will make it all the more special, even if it's not perfect.

HALLETT & Co. I apologize if this is a dumb question in advance... The original plan was to run one long 2" piece straddling the stairs and bookcase, and then cut the vertical pieces to match the angles of the diagonal piece, finally ending by attaching 1 1/2" edging to each shelf. Are you saying we should run the vertical pieces up to the stairs instead, then fit the diagonal pieces in between those so that we can make it parallel with the staircase?

@karla_cressman Exactly where is access to attic? Is it a pull down from ceiling steps? I’m asking because I’m stuck on a chair in that corner 😊 It is a bit tight, I now agree after seeing the additional pics. But I’m wondering about a window seat - is there room or would the attic access stairs be in the way when pulled down? Or, is that a door I see next to railing opposite the window? Is that space really narrow? 23” is really too tight for walkway, even a seldom used one. So, my vote is no furniture in walkway. As for the gallery wall only with nothing below it - No, I don’t think it will look out of place at all. Just continue the collage to a point lower than where the top of a console table would be & use your floor plants in really nice statement pots to ”ground” the arrangement. Think about how a gallery wall looks along stairs - there’s no furniture under the pics & the entire arrangement usually covers lower points on the wall than usual art or pictures would. Your pictures will be viewable at various points for a person going up & down the stairs too