Design Confidently, Live Comfortably
  Basement stairs are often closed off from the rest of the house, reinforcing the notion of the space below as a distant
Kim Adams of Needham, Massachusetts, feels as if she gained an entire floor by removing the walls and doorway that enclosed the basement stairs in her two-story townhouse. An engineer's review was required to plan the structural changes needed to transform the stairway, a process that included removal of a supporting post, reinforcement of a load-bearing joist overhead, and widening of the entire stairwell. But the result was worth it. Not only did the removal of the wall better connect the two levels, but the now-expansive first floor gives Kim's home a less vertical feel. In the case of the Aronoffs' basement, the existing stairs were removed, and a new open stairway was built within the same opening. Repeating architectural details used in the upper floors also adds to the continuity. Matching moldings and trim, door styles and hardware, and even reusing a similar color palette will help link the levels and make moving from above ground to below ground more natural. Strive to make the colors, textures, and materials you use in your lower level every bit as rich and welcoming as those upstairs. Bring these design details downstairs, and your family is sure to follow. Nicole Goldman is a designer and project manager for her firm, Goldman Arts Inc. in Concord, Massachusetts, and a columnist for The Homesteader newspapers, a publication for new homeowners. NEXT: Underground Matters BACK: Preserve Some Storage Space |
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PHOTO: GREG PREMRU |
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