STAIRS!

Alan Gustafson, our talented stair builder, installed the stairs to the second floor today (with a little assistance from some helpful mechanical suppliers and his dad). It is difficult to express just how excited we are about this milestone. The stairs are one of the most dramatic features of our home, and they are turning out even better than we had hoped. The stairs will have steel railings on the right-hand side, finished off with a maple handrail. The treads will also be maple, as I mentioned yesterday, and will extend about two inches off of each side of the stairs. John and I both took a test climb, and they are solid as a rock. We love the gradual incline, too, which gives the impression that you're floating upwards instead of climbing. They are truly amazing. The small run of three stairs from the landing to the second story are also in, but the photo was taken after dark and isn't too clear.

Alan thinks that he will install the stairs from the second to the third story next Tuesday, once the concrete floors have cured. More pics to come soon!