Khadi Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 I'm finishing an Emerson Row, and I'm really happy with it except for the stairs. They are an eyesore. I've tried changing them so that face the door so that they don't take up the whole living room, and I've tried closing them in. I just can't get them to look right. I've tried some other staircases but the space is so tight that I can't get them to fit. I thought about leaving them out, but my house is an old station stop on the Underground Railroad and there is going to be a secret entrance to the basement under the steps- based on a childhood friend's real house- so really important to me to keep the stairs. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas or suggestions. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 Pictures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My Miniature Madness Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 Could you possibly create a bump out which suggests a hint of the stairwell, but not show a full staircase? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 12 hours ago, Khadi said: there is going to be a secret entrance to the basement under the steps- based on a childhood friend's real house- so really important to me to keep the stairs. What if the entrance to the basement were via a trap door? That would eliminate the stairs, but it would provide access. Since the Emerson Row isn't exactly like your friend's house, it would at least recreate the spirit of secrecy if not the exact physical feature. Or what if the vertical access door were part of a built-in sideboard -- a faux sideboard that could fill the footprint that the bottom of the stairs would normally fill but not be higher than a couple inches. Again, the stairs are eliminated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 The stairs could be in the invisible back half of the house... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khadi Posted November 9, 2017 Author Share Posted November 9, 2017 3 hours ago, KathieB said: What if the entrance to the basement were via a trap door? That would eliminate the stairs, but it would provide access. Since the Emerson Row isn't exactly like your friend's house, it would at least recreate the spirit of secrecy if not the exact physical feature. Or what if the vertical access door were part of a built-in sideboard -- a faux sideboard that could fill the footprint that the bottom of the stairs would normally fill but not be higher than a couple inches. Again, the stairs are eliminated. Thanks for the suggestions. I like the idea of a sideboard or perhaps a cabinet. I'll have to play around with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 One of my kiddos built a military compound. The main floor was the "regular" house and the secret areas were in a huge underground shelter. He installed an access trap door and drop down chain ladder inside the kitchen broom closet. He also had a pull up ladder to a secret upstairs room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mid-life madness Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 How about something like this? I have been trying to do something similar for my Laurel. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debsrand56 Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 I've always loved those stairs. I was thinking about something like that when I saw this topic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 1 hour ago, Mid-life madness said: ow about something like this? I have been trying to do something similar for my Laurel. 53 minutes ago, Debsrand56 said: I've always loved those stairs. I was thinking about something like that when I saw this topic. The faux stairway is a good idea. The door would have to be disguised as a part of wainscoting or similar, something very un-door-like, to escape notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khadi Posted November 10, 2017 Author Share Posted November 10, 2017 3 hours ago, Mid-life madness said: How about something like this? I have been trying to do something similar for my Laurel. I love them. They remind me of the stairs in my mom's house (minus the door). I don't know if that is what I want for my Emerson, but I'm thinking that they would work well in my Orchid I started forever ago and never finished. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khadi Posted November 10, 2017 Author Share Posted November 10, 2017 5 hours ago, Selkie said: One of my kiddos built a military compound. The main floor was the "regular" house and the secret areas were in a huge underground shelter. He installed an access trap door and drop down chain ladder inside the kitchen broom closet. He also had a pull up ladder to a secret upstairs room. That sounds really cool. I'm always looking to put secret rooms and passages in my houses because according to the books I read every old castle and house has them. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 2 hours ago, Khadi said: That sounds really cool. I'm always looking to put secret rooms and passages in my houses because according to the books I read every old castle and house has them. ;) Absolutely! I've always dreamed of living in a old creaky place with towers and dungeons, with secret passages, opening bookcases and hidden staircases. In this same build I mentioned above, he had it have the ability to "generate" fresh air, electricity, grow food, etc, complete survival underground, undetected. He made a section of the ground above open and slant down to drive tanks, vehicles, small planes, etc. in and out. The opening completely disappeared when closed. He was a pretty inventive kiddo. Fun build. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Ok, might be a weird Idea here, but what if you omilt the stairs and resplaner them with an elevator kind of set up? That way you. An have a space where the entré way is hissen in the bottom of the elevator and depending on the area as such you could either go with wrought Iran look or just regularisering closing Doors, a lever on the outside or.... good luck with whatever you go with for this, Please share pics to as I have such a huge crush on the E,erson, and My kit is patie try awaiting to get some attwntion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.