Should I box in my open staircase and how to create an entrance

lisacakes2015

3 years ago

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lisacakes2015
Original Author
3 years ago
The front door is central to the house. Straight in to the lounge. These images show how it looked before I moved in. I have a console table where the bookcase used to be creating a handy place to put keys. My sofa is perpendicular to the console table creating a zone to walk in. I am waiting for a carpenter to design a cupboard to store coats and boots etc. on the wall where the console table currently resides. I've looked at pony walls, kind of half wall half open frame to separate the areas, and pondered about a low book case behind the sofa to create a more defined entrance. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

In the winter this place looks cozy but in reality is very cold. There is a log burner which is topped up by a LPG central heating. There are two victorian cast iron radiators that generate a bit of heat. Most of this warmth escapes directly up the stairs. It has a stunning vaulted ceiling above with draughty but original windows. I had a thought that it would be a good idea to have a small door at the bottom of the stairs and tongue and groove panelling around the staircase. This would mean filling in the floating stairs and then I could have more storage by way of a cupboard under the stairs. The carpenter suggested incorporating a glazed window opposite the existing windows, there are two in the stairwell at the moment.

I also thought a thermal curtain at the bottom of the stairs might help prevent the heat escaping. It's a stunning home and we are very happy here but it does get messy very quickly so I am desperate to create some additional storage to hide all the mess away.

Thanks in advance. I'll get some images of the stair well and current set up to illustrate how it looks right now.
PRO
The Kitchen Lady UK
3 years ago
Slightly radical plan but I know how cold old houses can be! What if you built a new wall perhaps using the vertical post as this was probably it's original use. The bottom of the stairs would have a small return to box the sides. This would create a proper hallway and smaller sitting room which will now hold its heat.
You could then put a door/curtain at the base of the stairs. You could leave the rest of the stairs open as they are, or box them and put coats/storage underneath.

I'd love to be able to show you what I mean if you want any more help, it's a gorgeous property.

good luck
Emily x
lisacakes2015 thanked The Kitchen Lady UK
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Sonia
3 years ago
My friend had an open plan hall/living room, but when she had a baby she knew she had to separate the hall from the living room so they didn’t wake the baby. She had the wall built with plasterboard and had a door installed into the living room.

When I saw yours I thought, yes put up a wall all along the stairs, past the front door and the window next to that front door. To keep the light you could have an internal window placed opposite the window on the right of the door, and have a door into the living room, say opposite the front door. Creating storage under the stairs is an excellent idea. Does this make sense? I found these examples where they have done that, and you could have the window in a style sympathetic to your lovely home. I will share them in the next post as the photos are from Houzz and I can’t find an option to share!
lisacakes2015 thanked Sonia
Sonia
3 years ago
Here’s some photos. Doing this will also create a nice hall and cosy up the living room.

Tiny House in Ballsbridge · More Info

Tiny House in Ballsbridge · More Info

Photo Houzz · More Info

Should I box in my open staircase and how to create an entrance

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lisacakes2015
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The Kitchen Lady UK

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Should I box in my open staircase and how to create an entrance

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lisacakes2015Original Author

The Kitchen Lady UK

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Sonia

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lisacakes2015
Original Author