Thanks siriuskey. I will ask...I find it challenging to visualize the modifications.

This is a very rough basic idea of what they are saying, it depends how far the stairs protrude from the fridge space. They will need to cover this, they really need to show you what will happen so that you can see and understand it

Thank you for your assistance and guidance siriuskey. This is great, easy to get now.

We have cupboards and bulkhead above the fridge. My friend suggested extending the bulkhead above the fridge along the entire wall for a better look.

There’s not enough info for me to be certain but if you’re going to end up with a ramp above the fridge I would be using a bulkhead instead. For looks and for cleaning.

Square up as bulkhead running from pantry to dining wall as the builder plan. Not raked.

There is a suggestion of a bulkhead on the plan and agree that if you can fit it above both doorways that would look great. My suggestion for a dropped ceiling does the same and covers a lot of "Sins" good for lighting, extraction etc and looks great

I wonder what changes are being made to the rooms on both levels as the Stair Void is being extended by 150?,

Thanks Kate. Do you something like this?

Thanks siriuskey. The site supervisor suggested to shift the beam 310mm towards the kitchen. Based on the conversation no change on lower floor rooms. Upper floor rumpus room will be reduced. Do you have any photos of kitchen bulkheads and drop ceilings that might be suitable for this situation?

Your bulkhead and dropped ceiling photo is good.

Your builder has shown you how the additional step works upstairs there's no issue with that it makes the void longer by taking space from the rumpus. Downstairs is different as it doesn't go from wall to wall, it appears to step back across the dining Space as roughly shown which means the rumpus floor is short of the wall between the dinning and bathroom, can he show you how this will look.?

A built in fridge similar to the picture by Dan Kitchens might cover the underside of the steps, the material used can be the same as your wall cladding which is my choice as you have plenty of storage.

Here's the proposed approach from the builder. What do you think? I think I still need to figure out what to do with the little gap in the hallway.

That’s a big bulkhead. What stage are you at. Have they framed all the rooms? I’d keep it as small as possible. Also the door under stair in pantry needs to have the hinge on left not right so you don’t get stuck in corner trying to open door,

Thanks Kate, yes frame has been completed. Is it preferable to have a smaller bulkhead?

How long is the staircase, is there any chance that the 17th step be divided between the other 16 steps or are they steep, what height are the risers. Re the bulkhead I would prefer the Bulkhead be a dropped ceiling over the kitchen. Has the builder suggested what depth his bulkhead would be

Thanks siriuskey. 16 steps would be too steep. The builder has provided me with a 3D imdage for the staircase, but the modifications haven't been specified yet.

Don’t have a bulkhead like that at all. Just move the beam over and have it boxed it. A bulkhead as shown is ugly.

Your builder needs to produce his suggested Mods asap, this problem has been caused by his oversight, plus he needs to cover the costs to fix it. The staircase was sadly squeezed into a very tight space which I have never felt was right for your lovely big house. The large master is part blame and why so many beams and bulkheads in the staircase area. Your builder has different excuses ie: when it was suggested that large step one become two his response was that there wouldn't be enough head space at steps 3 & 4, but now the steps are already too steep and need to be lengthened to reach the upper floor

A large bulkhead./dropped ceiling over the kitchen would look better than the one suggested by the builder and would cost more.

It's late but could the stairs be moved to family room within that void and up against the Media room wall. The existing stairs could become storage

It is late but seeing that the builder has made a mistake with the stairs, move the stairs, but keep the void over the passageway for light use the staircase space for double storage facing passageway and garage, pantry. You could also take this opportunity to give access to the powder room from the family, media rooms and Alfresco, as it is it is hard to reach PDR by the front door.. The guest room won't cover this need.

Agree the bulkhead over kitchen would look better than what builder has shown. Push for that

I think the builkhead as drawn is ugly. Fill in above the fridge. And just box in the beam to the dimensions of the beam. You are making a big eyesore out of a little eyesore.

To move the stairs to that extent would require a permit variance which would delay your build.

If the change gives you a better result it is best to do it, the builders can work on other areas while this is approved but think that there will need to be a permit variance for the original stairs with the changes needed. Both sets of stairs arrive in the Rumpus Room.

Lai Residence · More Info

Double height void and feature staircase leading to kitchen / living / dining · More Info

Thank you everyone. It seems it's better to request specifics from the builder regarding modifications before finalising the staircase design.

I thought the staircase will be vic ash...but told the elements of the stair that are to be stained finish will be Tassie Oak. The stringers will be pine. The risers will be Mdf. Is this the normal practice?

What will be stained. I gather steps will be carpeted?

No carpet, thinking of clear/black stained.

If you plan on staining you will need exposed timbers to match

Thanks, other parts will be painted.

MDF is not considered to be stain quality. It is suitable for a painted finish. I like painted risers but this may not suit the look you’re after. It looks like you’ll have three different materials for the staircase - they will end up three different colours when stained even using the same coloured stain. What is the rest of the flooring above and below the staircase?

Painted stringers to match the wall will be OK. And pine is OK for this.

The mfd needs risers carpet or replace with timber

Flooring is mid coast blackbutt, here is the staircase finish we selected

Is the floor real timber boards or engineered floating floor? I’m asking because the Tasmanian Oak treads even with stain may be difficult to match to the blackbutt flooring. Having a painted riser, as shown on the first step, will help minimise the difference in materials but there will still be a difference.

Painted stringers and risers will be fine in the materials and finishes you’ve chosen.

Thanks bigreader. I thought about using black stain so I wouldn't need to match the flooring.

That would be a way around it. You can get Tassie Oak from Bunnings. Be worth trying some with assorted stains. The decision on what to use and how many coats etc will creep up on you before you know it. I’d have a look at Brown Japan before trying a Black Japan or black stain. It’s still dark but not as in your face as black.

Thanks for all these helpful suggestions. I didn't know there was a brown Japan stain colour, will take a look.

Harking back to your builders suggestion to cover the stairs, this roughly shows what it would look like. Your ceilings being 2.7 I have shown the ceiling soffit 30 deep.

The second shows the same covering the whole kitchen cheers

Thanks siriuskey. It looks great!

Thanks siriuskey. It looks great!

I like Siriuskey’s lowered ceiling over the kitchen but the beam on the drawings also extends across the doorway. My reading of the plans is that even with the kitchen as above you’ll still have a beam box across the passage opening.

Yes there is a 3m bulkhead shown but I think the builder mentioned this being pushed up into the ceiling, needs to be asked again.

Thanks Kate! The builder has agreed to incorporate the change you suggested:

"Also the door under stair in pantry needs to have the hinge on left not right so you don’t get stuck in corner trying to open door".

Checkout the stairs in this new addition

https://pmdbuild.com.au/project/gibson-bronte/

Thanks siriuskey, interesting design...

That first example photo (with the hand) shows the boxing at to of staircase. Wainscotting will depend on how it suits rest of styling. But really I would be seeking to focus attention away from stair to say kitchen or front door

Thanks Kate. Do you mean highlighting the kitchen, such as with a stone splashback?

Your bench tops will draw focus from the ceiling. Don’t overstress about it. If you weren’t told about it in the above picture most people wouldn’t even notice the drop down under the top of staircase.