Tear down that bitch of a bearing wall!

So one of the greatest projects was to restore the staircase that had been destroyed when the house was duplexed.  The railings and spindles had all been removed and in their place a new wall was put in to make the floors totally separate.  The first set of stairs were also rotated 90 degrees making access from the front door vestibule rather than the foyer.  So the vestibule was removed and the stairs were walled off.  This was the one great project my dad and I were so excited to do since day one.  It first began by taking out the plaster and lathe.  Nothing fun about taking this crap out.  Just LOTS of dust (as I'm sure most of you know)  I think the most exciting part was letting the light back into the main floor.  By closing up the stairs it had become so cold, dark and drab, but by opening this back up it simply fills the first floor with natural light.

Showing where they had been walled off and the ceiling put in.  

Now the fun could begin.  Start ripping down this wall that doesn't belong here!!!

 Early wallpaper put in after the stairs were closed up

 These photos show where the old windows had been taken out and covered up for the duplex.  Was a bit cold with the holes in the house in a Minnesota winter.  Thank god this is all over!!!

 The odd sized window on the left was a fixed window.  I'm fairly sure it was stained glass which would give a beautiful light to anyone looking up the stairs from the foyer.  Can't wait to get that one made and put in!

With windows and trim put back in.

So after all this mess it was open.  I had some railings and spindles in the house and had bought some other items and put the stairs back together how they more than likely looked when the place was built.

Once this is all stained up one won't be able to tell where new wood is and where it blends into the old.  

 Showing the vestibule back and the stairs how they should be

So all that's left is to do some sanding and staining.  Perhaps this winter. A LONG but well awaited project...


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