stair landing is in! our homemade floating stairs are coming to life
laraisaacs
2 years ago
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mvcanada
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2 years agoRelated Discussions
Hubby wants a 2-story, but I hate stairs...
Comments (31)I like Bungalow #2. - I would add a full bath upstairs. -I would add a "Laundry shoot" upstairs. -the upstairs can be used now by your Husband and later by a teenager. My guess is that this setup would be the most expensive to build. I've had a few homes built and I can tell you that no house is perfect. You always find something missing or wrong AFTER you move in. Your wants/needs change over the years. The way you function in your daily life is a very important consideration when you are building. Getting hurt or getting a disease is almost a guarantee in life. When fifty hits, "Mother Nature" takes over, and body parts start giving out, no matter how thin, athletic, and healthy you are/were.... Random thoughts: -split stairs with a landing in between are a smart idea, no matter which plan you choose. -A bedroom with a full bath downstairs is ALWAYS a good idea, no matter what age your are. -Think of how you function in a house. Do you spend MOST of your time downstairs? Are you and/or your DH just daydreaming that you will be upstairs all the time, because you/he likes the idea of a two-story house? -If you go with a two story with all the bedrooms upstairs, do you want your laundry room up or down?...because once I bring the laundry down, I have to check, add softener, dry etc usually several times. If I had a large family living with me I would still have the laundry downstairs, but with a laundry shoot from the upstairs. When you're building you have that custom option. Over the years, I've learned that I don't always live or function like others. Example: I've read a lot of forums when I designed my kitchen. After living in this house for 2 years, I just hated my double oven setup. I had to split the ovens, leaving a counter above each one.... When building, you have to consider your needs and wants, but also re-sale value. Rarely people want to live in a BIG house when they get much older. We will be downsizing in a few years, even though I love this house, and it has a MB on the first floor. It's great that you are asking for advice and hopefully will take your time to examine what is important to YOU in your new home....See MoreAdvice on Wood Stair Treads and Pets
Comments (16)Thanks for the advice and stories! I think a runner is out due to the floating treads (no riser) but some adhesive sheathing on top could work if we see a problem developing. Yes, our hickory floors will be natural with no stain, just clear coating, so fairly light. I don’t think an oak tread would hold up well, too, especially if we keep it a light stain. Our house would be considered modern mountain rustic and I’ve even considered using reclaimed wood for the treads. I saw an 8’ x 12” plank up in Denver that we’re old train car floors that were pretty cool. Lots of natural blacks and scrapes and wear on the upper side, a little more toned down on the underside. Something like that could work well with our black metal railing and components of the staircase, too. Also, and I don’t do this now, but I could start clipping or using the drummel on my dogs nails every couple weeks instead of waiting for her 6-8 week grooming. That’s what they use on her nails - a drummel tool....See MoreThese narrow kitchen stairs?
Comments (25)I am not sure why anyone thinks I need a one-level home. I’m only 59 and play tennis five days a week. My husband runs triathlons and rows at a national masters’ level. We want a home on this very private mountainous lake from which to enjoy our early retirement. One level homes don’t appeal to us, and don’t exist at this steep location. We have a down-payment already made to reserve a space in a skilled nursing step-up facility if we ever need it, but honestly, I would prefer to die of a heart attack in my own home — even if it is on a narrow, ugly staircase. This home has, as a part of its design, a low 1/12 incline ramp from the garage to the house. Anyone who needs to visit will be parking next to it. The interior stairs will rarely be used, other than by my nimble, 27-year old going up to his 2nd floor suite. But if I could squeak another 2” of width, or do anything design wise to the stairs, it would help them look more open. I welcome the advice of anyone who has done this before, or has a creative idea. But I don’t want to be made to feel decrepit at 59 when I am quite fit. Someday, I won’t be. I know that. But stopping using stairs, IMHO, is a good way to lose agility, muscle, and motivation. I go up two flights at last 20 times a day, and I don’t plan to stop....See MoreStair case behind kitchen?
Comments (104)back with an updated (but messy) draft. We were playing around with end tables etc so it's really rough still. The part where it says "1240" is a screened porch. Bottom of the plan is south. Room off the kitchen is an "away room" where I want two single chairs and a bookshelf. The space behind the kitchen with a random chair is a balcony. We still need to work on the closet situation in our master. Some positives from this plan: opportunities for windows/sliding doors on the south side of our house as we wanted. More natural light in the kitchen too. The kitchen is also looking down to our yard where kids will play. The drawback is that I find the living room isn't grounded anywhere. Just kind of floating in space. I also worry that 20X20 for living/dining combo may feel tight in real life. I do have to remember that I have a large family room filed with windows in our walk out basement though. I let go of my nook, in favor of corner banquette dining. Which still feels cozy to me but saved space by combining the two....See Morejackowskib
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