THE SECRET STAIRS
Our living space sits on the second story of our home, over the garage and apartment. We wanted these stairs to access our newly fenced in east-facing side yard. Right now, we exit through our front door which is on the west side of our home and walk around the house to get to the garden, to place Alice there and to access my studio (the apartment we lived in).
I really trusted Ben’s lead with material and structure and we consulted several times with our good friend Jason who is brilliant and tells me what to do, which I love.
Ben makes my nerves twitch by walking along top of fence all week:
Ruby consults:
I am standing by my garden, facing north:
Ben builds supporting structure:
Ben measures and cuts stringers:
Girls lay on living room floor and tell Ben stories:
Stairs take shape:
Ben takes a break to observe knapweed with Ruby:
Stairs are complete (yet not officially ‘open’; still need railing):
That window you see? That is the apartment/my studio!
Next up: handrails! We aren’t sure what it will look like just yet. Thinking about a combination of mimicing the rain wall and hog wire.
Nice, big 4×4′ landing and 4′ wide stairs
Alice ponders the dog condition
27 Comments
Oh my… I love this story, Andy’s wonderful friend, AND the last photo in this blog entry the best. Life is beautiful!
They are just beautiful. Can’t beat sitting on garden steps. We had some built last year. Not nearly as beautiful as yours but I still adore just sitting on them with a mug of tea. What a wonderful surprise.
How come you know so many talented, useful men? Were their dads? I worry for my boys. They are not very practical just like their dad! Creative yes, practical no!
Love your photos x
There need to be more Bens in the world. Real friends, real men. If he needs cheering, tell him there’s at least one person out there in the ether thinking he is truly admirable.
Kindly & happily (to have the privilege of reading your blog),
Ali in Switzerland
Just lovely. So glad you could keep the secret and make it even more lovely!
,,,holy shit, the stairs are exquisite. now let’s talk about “ben”, married? single? he’s amazing! does he have a red cape with an “S” on the front? what a beautiful secret to keep, you sneaky gal. what about railing made out of steel or something of the like? whatever you choose it’s sure to be a beautiful compliment to ben’s highway to heaven,,,
You are freakin’ awesome. That is all.
rebecca,
He’s single! No doubt, the most eligible bachelor in all of the continental US, at least. He’s a wanderer, just returned from the Bering Sea, off to Hawaii next. Yes, he’s amazing. 🙂
Rebecca asked more frankly than I did – is he single? Ask a frank question, get a frank answer.
I think he needs to know he isn’t just the most eligible bachelor in all of continental US, but he would do very well here in Europe too. The proof of a real man? Can make steps, keep secrets, and go checking knapweed with small blondie cutie girls.
In awe,
Ali, Switzerland
“”And so fun to give a big no-occasion gift like that! I will do it more often, gifts for no reason at all. Just, I appreciate you gifts.””
Love it Nici. Great job!
They look great.
x
http://blog.scissorspaperrockdesigns.com.au/
Y’all are just the sweetest couple, I swear!
a-MAW-zing stairs….holy cow! They look so good against your equally a-maw-zing fence!
I love this so much Nici. Rob always guesses my surprises! He knows me too well. I’m glad we’re not the only ones who give each other things like stairs, or timber for veggie beds, or my flower beds. Some people think it’s odd, but I’d much rather have something for the garden or house than lots of trivial little gifts.
WOW! Beautiful secret stairs to magical yard!
Love that Ben B……he to is magical too! (and would be quite a catch too)….xoxo
fabulous surprise you sneaky girl, you! I love For No Reason gifts-they are given for the reason all gifts should be given-because they make someone happy.well done.
That last picture made me tear all up! The look of love on his face for YOU! What a guy – what a great YOU you are!! Enjoy your stairs! Treasure all the love they represent!!
Love the photo in the princess blue dress
For some reason, this totally brought tears to my eyes.
What a great surprise.
Hey!!! shannan sent me your way….she said you have a little ruby too….when your little gal grows out of it, would you possibly send it my way? we are adopting a little precious ruby from uganda!!!! thank you. [email protected]
I meant the shirt she sent you!! 🙂
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