Thanks all! weedpuller: the compost bucket is huge - 15L or about 3 gallons. I don't let it get too full though because it gets heavy (not to mention smelly, though only noticeable when the door is open) and I worry about the weight. It is from Rev A Shelf, see link localeater: I love the compost bucket. We compost everything, no garbage disposal in our house. It is under the prep sink on the island and I scrap into the sink then gather it up to throw in the bucket. Easy. The bucket pulls out to be carried out to our bin. Also, the broom closet is 2' wide, 3' deep and 6' tall and functions beautifully (especially after not having one for so long!). The chair is from PB Teen, Vintage Wood Swivel. Well constructed and comfy, as well as (I agree, if I do say so myself) a perfect fit for the space! Beth: Thanks!! It's Baker and we're not going anywhere anytime soon ;) We did all this work on an old house we love because we hope to be here forever! :) And yes, our pup loves it too! kelhuck: That is just what I love to do in the space, time and kids allowing! Book storage was actually a big part of the planning for our book-loving family. And yes, mamadadapaige - life altering is right! Sometimes I still can't quite believe it. Thanks again! Your compliments and interest mean a lot to me. Here is a link that might be useful: Pull Out Compost

I guess the curved staircase trains you to hold on to the bannister for dear life. I have fallen down mine three times sliding down on my back. That wouldn't be such an issue if I hadn't had 3 back surgeries with tons of hardware. Gosh darn it hurts. If I have dry cleaning to take in, I just throw it over the bannister and pick it up when I get to the first floor. I also find that carpet on stairs is a fall hazard - at least for me. But my orthopedic and neurosurgeon say that doing stairs everyday is good for you - or good for their wallet if I go down it again and break something!

Hire an architect. And think of which room you want to give up downstairs for the stairs. And measure the clear space from the joists to the peak. If you don’t have around 102”, you wont have room for the internal framing and insulation overhead. You would need to tear off the roof and raise it. You might as well move as do that. Everyhing you touch has to meet today’s Modern building codes. From a big enough electrical panel to pr ovide thecright nunber if AFI circuits, to the HVAC requirements, to the rise and run of the stairs. If it wasn’t designed to be living space from the beginning, it won’t ever be cheap to make into living space now.

Depends on the current condition of the house and how willing you are to do any needed work on it. Do you see yourselves as caretakers restoring the house or want to remuddle it? Are you will to wait a year and learn what the house needs? These are all things I've learned over the years of having a nearly 200 year old house.