impressonion

upstairs? Hey folks, long time no see. Happy 2012 and stuff.

I used to have dreams about staircases when I was a kid. Apparently, as a dream symbol, climbing stairs represents the feeling of advancing or progressing in your life in some way. Perhaps for me it was a reference to growing up? Either way, dreams of climbing stairs often made me feel good about myself. And since those days I have a fondness for staircases, especially very interesting or novel ones.

Not too long ago, I found this article about some pretty neat staircases. Some are extra-functional, others are extremely pleasing to the eye. All are absolutely fantastic.

Bookcase Staircase, England

This one is definitely my favorite for obvious reasons. I’m addicted to books and I always say how I’d love to have a gigantic library in my own home someday, something akin to that iconic and baroque library in Beauty and the Beast. This staircase would fit in nicely with such a book-friendly home. I’m definitely going to keep it in mind for any future, in-home staircase projects I may decide to undertake, whenever I eventually choose to own a house.

Ribbon Staircase, The Czech Republic

I think this one may be my second favorite, based purely on its novelty. This ribbon of a staircase looks almost insubstantial, especially supposing  it is put to the test by the feet of anyone weighing more than a small child. But according to the article, it was well-built to withstand at least the same use as a normal staircase and is indeed quite sturdy.

Staircase Slide, England

And of course I can’t talk about staircases without mentioning this one that has an accompanying slide. Whether as a kid, an adult, or somewhere in between —which is probably the best description of my current state of being—I know I’d love to have a slide in my house. I would probably opt for one that has more of a winding design, following a spiral staircase, most likely. But any type of slide would be both fun and convenient for a quick get away.

This reminds me of another in-home slide I wrote about before, which was also quite enjoyable, though a little less practical due to its location in a child’s pirate-ship-themed bedroom. Avast ye bilgerats!

So yeah, what’s your opinion of staircases in general? And of these particularly interesting ones? What’s your honest opinonion, do tell!