We interrupt this previously scheduled “5 Photos That Stopped Me In My Tracks on Instagram” post to bring you an update on the loft ladder.
It’s getting a makeover…and it’s turning into stairs. 🙂
Like I mentioned in a previous post, I wasn’t involved in the design of it, and after climbing up it and discovering that I am still very much “allergic” to ladders that are taller than ten feet, I did some searching on Pinterest, and found a couple of inspiration photos to pass on to the builder. Here’s what I sent:
…and that’s just what he’s going to build! 😀 He said he’ll be back in a couple of days with all the pieces, and that it wouldn’t take long to put together. Yay!
I asked him to shift the existing (bracketed) landing over to the right side of the loft opening, so that the stairs can go down into the left corner of the room- the opposite direction the ladder is going now. We’ll be able to put that hundred-some-year-old newel post to use now that we’re going with stairs, which is really exciting, too.
Oh, wait. Maybe I only talked about that on Instagram? Well, long story short- we got it from a friend who is renovating an old building in downtown Montgomery. I couldn’t let him trash it. Friends don’t let friends throw away antique newel posts, right? 😉
Will report on stairs and such next week. Until then, be safe and well, my friend!
Layla
PS- In climbing the loft ladder, I also discovered that I’m allergic to the very thought of my son climbing up something that tall too. #NoWayJosé
Yep…much better!
So glad you came to this realization. I was not happy with that ladder – because it really WAS a ladder, not stairs. Your inspiration photos are right on target! Thanks for sharing your incredible new build with us.
So much better. That ladder gave me the heebie jeebies!
Yea! great design choice. Can’t wait to see the new stairs.
Such a better idea! Can’t wait to see it come to fruition.
I agree that this is a smart move. I had suggested you enclose the back of the stairs and you weren’t too keen on that due to the fact that it was a ladder. All I could think of was there’s no way I’d want to use that ladder! This is such a great decision, and now you don’t have to worry about your son (as much!). Can’t wait to see the finished product.
I’m so happy to hear that the ladder is being rebuilt as stairs. I think all involved will enjoy and use them much more. Good job!
Love the new plan! As I am also tall ladder phobic the previous ladder post gave me the willies : D The new look creates such a cozy little nook too. Great choice.
Soooooo much better. I’m also *allergic* to ladders like that! Can’t wait to see the new stairs!
new plan sounds great!! looking forward to seeing the finished stairs.
will there still be room for the reading nook or no?
This will be so much better. In looks, comfort, and safety. From my own personal experience, kids are fascinated by ladders, etc. and now your sweet Sonny will not be tempted by the danger. #becauseboys
Can’t wait to see…
Whew! I feel much better about the new direction. I wondered how anyone could get furniture up that ladder.
I am so glad you made the change! I just could never imagine using the space, as I don’t like height and ladders together! The stairs sound like a great idea. Can’t wait to see the finished space!
Hooray! I am so glad you have changed the design. I have loved everything you have done in the “barn” but when you posted about the ladder your builder brought I my first thought was “This looks really wrong, like it was put up as an afterthought.” I didn’t like it at all , just the way it looked, never mind how dangerous. (I love ladders and could climb to heaven!) I was betting you were not happy either, after all the thought you have put into this place to make it just right for your in-laws! LOVE your ideas and design decisions.
I love the new staircase designs! I am afraid of heights, so I have to admit that when I see great spaces with a ladder to a loft, I get vertigo just thinking about it! : ) When you said you were going to use the space as laptop workspace, I thought of climbing such a ladder with laptop and cuppa coffee/tea and thought, “Wow, Layla and her hubby are brave souls.” When I thought of Sonny on the ladder, yikes! (I don’t mean to make it all about me, but you know, when we look at design pictures online, we tend to think of how it would be to function in that environment.)
The staircases add a beautiful design to the room, and the added safety is beyond measure. Looking forward to seeing the new stairs!
Hooray for you for speaking up and having the courage to change it! This is something I’m working on as I often just let things go bc we’ve spent the money and I don’t want to cause “drama”
Excited to see the new design! Love that you’re changing the direction as well! Ladder or not, all I could see was stubbing my toe going around that corner ?
Genius and Gorgeous!! Loved all of those ideas
Love the inspiration stairs. Perfect solution. Sometimes we just have to see it before we know how it should be changed. Proud of you. Even G’ma could use those stairs.
I like the thought of the ladder, but for functional, everyday use I think stairs are definitely the way to go. Plus, stairs are just as pretty! Can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Check metal spiral stairs. Can be an ornate jewel sitting against all the wood.
Hooray! I share your ladder-willies, so the new plan looks heavenly to me!
I like the new look. I will chime in with some unsolicited parenting advice, so take it for what it’s worth ? As a cautious by nature mom of boys, I have had to learn to let go and let my husband teach my boys how to be men and do things like get on the roof and climb ladders, even at young ages. Sonny is at a great age to learn to use ladders safely, so be sure Kevin is teaching him how to use them (appropriately, with supervision), even if it scares you to death! It beats Sonny trying to figure it out on his own ?. Just a friendly word to encourage you to make sure you don’t pass your apprehensions on. (We all tend to do this with things we don’t like it that scare us – ladders, dogs, math,etc). Anyway, it looks like you are doing a great job with your boy! I hope this came across as encouraging -that’s how it was meant.
Ha, ha welcome to parenthood! Love the new direction…
The stairs are beautiful and you will be so much happier with them. I understand your thoughts and concerns. So excited to see the new stairs in place.
Much Better. Cannnot wait to see the finished product.
Whew! As a person both afraid of heights AND tall ladders, I would have never gone into that loft – lol!!! Maybe going up, but down? NO WAY!!!! And as a mom of a daughter who gets up on the roof of our house to help put up Christmas lights (and eat pizza up there – what is it with teens eating pizza in strange places?!?), I hear you about your fears for Sonny. I just breathe a prayer and give them a thumbs up. God takes care of our crazy teens and comforts terrified moms – lol!!! Hang in there – each day gets better and better!
So much better!! My first thought when I saw the first version was “no way….how are they going to get stuff up there?” And stairs with a landing are soooo much prettier than a ladder 🙂
Sooo much better to change the loft ladder to the corner and two sections. Much safer for you all, especially your darling son. Plus, it’s going to be visually more pleasing.
Now you will have official stairs. I’d wondered why that wasn’t done in the first place; I’m not a designer or builder but knew that’s how it could be done–with a landing to break up the steps.
We were trying not to take up any additional floor space since it’s a small room and has to act as both a den *and* kitchen for Jim & Katie. She had hoped to put other furniture where the stairs will go, so we’re bummed they won’t be able to now, but we all agree the safer stairs are the way to go. 🙂
I have to admit that when I first saw the picture of the ladder, I thought I personally wouldn’t be happy with that if it was mine and I could sense that y’all were unhappy too. I think your stair solution is perfect will look so much better and be safer for all concerned! Loving all of your posts concerning the Bungalow Barn updates and look forward to reading more.
I LOVE IT! Can’t you still fit a smallish chair under where the upper landing will be? And will you have a concern about the window? ( Need safety glass? ) I can’t WAIT to see!
I love this idea so much more for the design and safety. Just a side note, but as we get older it is much safer to climb stairs, than a ladder from my view point as a oldster.
We had steep stairs in my grandmothers cottage which were made by my grandfather. They took you up to the kids loft sleeping area. I of course used them all the time while growing up–probably unspotted. (ohhh gosh!) I HATED going there with my girls and allowed them up there only ONCE in our few visits. They were spotted like crazy! It was left to my mother who has since sold it. With years of wear the stairs were slick as could be and just not practical. While prepping the upstairs for grandkids she fell and we are lucky to still have her. It was very serious. Needless to say I am SOOOOO happy you are turning them into stairs. I kept wondering if you would like going up and down them. 😉 Isn’t it great how it all worked out though? This will look so much better in the space as well!! Can’t wait to see.
MUCH better!!! I didn’t like it at ALL! Love the third photo! Good thinking!
Layla, would the stairs give your in-laws more furniture room if the stairs were to the back of wall. The way it is now doesn’t give you as much room? The present ladder breaks up the wall.Still like the stairs much better. Did I miss which stair picture you chose?
Linda
Your blog has inspired and helped me so much over the years (though our styles & lives are so different!) so I’m chiming in – have you considered alternating step stairs? Some info & pics here: http://smallscalehomes.blogspot.com/2013/01/space-saving-stairs-ladders-for-small.html
Layla,
I am so glad you changed the design! The new design is safer, plus it fits the design of the house perfect!
Terri
Phew!! That ladder had me worried.
Ah, good to see commonsense prevailed! When I read you and Kevin would be using it almost daily I thought, errrrr…oookay. Occasional going up and down to put something away, yeah, sure, but not on a daily basis. Imagine if you will, cup of coffee, tired brain, whoopsedaisy, kerplunk, one sore tushie. The coming down would have had to be done with a backward lowering, not forward facing like stairs, and believe me, having been on very itty bitty ladder/stairs on working cargo ships etc, it loses the novelty real fast!
Excellent choice to change it all! Sad the in-laws can’t have furniture, but safety is far higher on the agenda in my book!
Funny how coincidences are, we HAD an antique newel post I was going to use, alas, male of the house had it sitting outside for a while and long grass grew up around it and we forgot all about it. Now it is a rotted piece of wood with barely any paint holding it together! Grrrr!
Would you Please send me information that Traci @ Beneath My Heart shared w you about the staircase. I would love to have some additional tips on how to add that to our cabin staircase. Thanks so much, you gals rock!!
Oh- feel free to reach out to Traci! I don’t have anymore info on the stairs, but I know she’d be glad to help you! 🙂