Hello from East Tennessee!

[Don M]

It's too bad they tore the barn down. The open balcony in your front hall is interesting; I wonder if that's always been that way or was it part of a later renovation? The house looks to be in great condition inside.

[CrestwoodCottage]

Don,

I often wonder that also about the open balcony. I haven't seen any other craftsman homes with that type of stair case. If it was opened at a later date, they did a great job replicating the existing banister and it would have only been closed at the top creating a very narrow/low clearance hallway. The ceiling has been replaced with drywall and the dormer upstairs that the staircase opens up to has been modified. It's hard to tell if they put up new drywall from the modification of the dormer and/or from changing banister. Only other changes that I have been able to find to the original floorplan(besides additions off the back of the house and converted attic space) is one other room that a wall has moved about 3' over creating a hallway seperating two rooms. Thanks for checking out my blog!

[Don M]

My parents first house in Fayetteville, NY was much like yours but it had an enclosed stairway that ran up the outside wall in the same place yours is. In order to get a large piece of furniture upstairs it had to be taken thru a second floor window!

[CrestwoodCottage]

Don, could very well be possible that it was enclosed at some point, if so it's been open for a very, very long time judging on the coats of paint! Here is an updated picture of the front door, I just go done putting a couple coats of stain on it! I still have trim to replace and polyurethane to put on it. The paint/shellac removal has taken me so long I literally shed a tear or two after the first coat of stain went on!

[Superbeetle]

My front stairway was originally open like that. It was closed in so a closet could be put in in the 60s or so (judging from the paneling they used). I like the open look better, but I need the closet space right now.

[Don M]

Beautiful job on your door!

[Powermuffin]

Welcome! That open staircase may, or may not, be original, but it is fantastic looking! I would not change it. And the colonnades are beautiful too. You have a great bungalow there.
Diane

[lisascenic]

What a sweet home!

[CrestwoodCottage]

Thank everyone! Here are a few updated photos.

[lisascenic]

Beautiful work!