I think that ceaserstone or marble would compete too much with your tiles and could look odd because of that. In the examples you provide, the one lot of marble stairs are with a very plain tile and the other looks like it matches the floor exactly. Your tiles have a bit of a swirly pattern so unless you chose a very plain stone/marble it would clash IMO. Also, ceasarstone can chip and I don't think it would be a very practical option for stairs. Timber would add a bit of warmth to your whole sleek look while still looking modern, and be something to tie your front door in with so it isn't the only warm looking thing in your whole light coloured area.

I had 3 female joeys and two bedrooms which led to constant 2 -v- 1 situations so nights were generally a game of musical beds. There was always one child who needed time out or was given time out. When we added the extra bedroom, the serenity was bliss. They could still share when they wanted but it was all up to them, it was not forced on them so relationships definitely improved after that. I think the age of the children and the age difference is a very important aspect. Younger children are more than happy to share for the security and comfort when the lights go out. Older children need their space and privacy especially for study. Children after puberty can get extremely sensitive about their bodies and need privacy more than ever in this adjustment period. You cannot expect to put say an 8 year old with a 3 year old - by 8 kids are usually developing attachments to "special" keepsakes, something 3 year olds don't understand and this can cause a lot of resentment when things get broken or trashed. Pre children I always felt them sharing bedrooms would lead to wonderful relationships, the children would learn to share, care and appreciate each other. Now I'm older and wiser, separate bedrooms is sanity for everyone.

A circular staircase can look stunning in the right house. A circular staircase or a spiral, call it what you will just needs to be designed properly. Majority of spiral staircases I've come across are way to steep (190 rise) with the treads again way to short (250 run). Even the width has been too narrow. Even when they meet the NCC they aren't a comfortable thing to use. I'm presuming they were all designed to 'save space'..... they don't save much space really in my experience and a standard staircase is better for usability as well. A half curved staircase rather than a spiral or circular, would again be stunning but needs to be designed properly and in the right setting.

ah yes, again the old "sort the stair out later" problem......... Design 101: Resolve the stair first........ From a practical perspective do you also understand that whilst may have the physical space in the roof area, that to make it anything other than light storage, you need to get proper upper level floor structure in place? Unless it is able to be fully supported on the existing load bearing walls/points typically it involves invasive renovation work to accommodate the necessary internal columns / pad footings etc on the lower level, so you end up pulling apart and putting back together the lower level more than you originally anticipate - this is where costs balloon on these sorts of things....... Coming back to the stair, stairs take up a lot of space and you need to get furniture in the spaces on the plans so you know how it will work...the issue you have here is that there will be a compromise whichever way you configure the stair In elevation it looks like a house with a certain amount of space around it (rural/acreage??)....if you have the space you'd be surprised at the costing of considering a less invasive renovation option of a lower level extension alternative to get the additional space you need. The upper level could still happen but perhaps as a less complicated exercise of just single open area for say for extra kids lounge or home office etc...you'll be fighting the upper layout with a stair to achieve a master/robe/ensuite, not to mention the practicalities of plumbing discharge of the ensuite somehow over the top of the main living areas and likely having a stair that's pretty "boxed in" as demonstrated in oklouise's option.... You have a lovely symmetrically proportioned, carefully designed traditional style home btw.....you want to make sure you're not "closing in" the main living spaces with any changes....houses that work well have a certain balance and scale to them. There is an inherent existing balance there, be careful not to mess with it, and if in doubt and you are struggling advise you seek professional design assistance from an architect or experienced building designer who understands and appreciates the language of this traditional style of home so that any changes are consistent with the existing and properly considered Good luck, PD :) www.pauldistefanodesign.com