basement stairwell HELP!

[lessismore]

Well, it seems that our renovations are going to happen in an order that I had not anticipated. The basement stairs are now going to be the first project! A friend of ours is responsible for a program that certifies students in construction here in the province. Apparently they are tested on a variety of different skill sets during the year and they are ready to do a test on planning and building staircases. Soooooo.... all I have to do is buy the material. Well, that is a deal I can not pass by so now I have to make decisions before next week as to what I want.
Here is my dilemma,
- the staircase is closed (obviously) and therefore a tad dark.
-the stairs need to be completely overhauled as they were covered in carpet by the previous owners and the wood is cheap.
-I want to open up the wall in the basement to let in more light BUT am I going to be letting up too much sound from the TV.
-I want the steps to curve to the TV room side as you come down versus being a T base as they are right now. There is a beam that runs through the basement and it is 'just' the right height.
I have included some photos to give you an idea of what it looks like right now.
I included one of the staircase from the main floor as well as one to show you the space it goes into.
So, basically does it make sense to open it up.            

My thinking is that the light is more valuable and the noise can be dealt with when the time comes. The TV can be moved and sound boards could be installed and if necessary then a hanging sliding door could go across the space if necessary. So, in this house, TV watchers are worried about me later making a big deal about the sound and I am wanting the light that will benefit the space and make it feel less basement-y. It is a walk-out basement which leads on to the backyard so there is potential in the space.

[sweetie]

I don’t know if I really understand the question.......... Is it a form over function dilemma?

[lessismore]

I guess so.
I think that we should open up the wall....that would mean opening the staircase on the wall where you see the two large prints in the basement (pic 1). So when you go down the stairwell, then the wall to the left would be open below the beam. I don't know if you can see it but there is a beam running across that wall. I have attached another photo that may give you a better idea.    

In the photo the beam is marked by a white moulding. Once the wall is opened up then you would actually see the beam, which at present is only exposed on the basement side.
The light would then flow into the basement and feel less basement-y. I am not sure if you know what I mean by that but I am not a big fan of basements. I grew up in a very old brick house with a crawl space/cellar and do not get the basement really but it seems like everybody here thinks that the sound that will then travel up to the main floor will become an issue.

Somebody I works with has suggested that we place panels to reflect the sound behind the TV and that could solve the problem if there is one.

Anyway, should I leave it as it is or go for it. I do not like the design of the stairwell and find it gives a cavernous feel to that whole space.

[sweetie]

"I do not like the design of the stairwell and find it gives a cavernous feel to that whole space."

I think you’ve answered your own question........lol......

I think the original beam will look amazing and the sound factor can be dealt with.

[Northern Miner]

Open it up. The look is the reward.

[lessismore]

Okay, that is all I need, the support of HU
I will go back to TV watchers and give them the news..... and perhaps the link to HU.
Well, it is supposed to be planned and designed within 2-3 weeks and then installed so I will keep you updated. I cannot wait!

[teucer]

Hey LIM,

Wowsers! What a great opportunity or excuse...lol to get your reno going! I'd probably open it up but the "TV watchers" do have a point. Is there any way to add a doorway at the top of the stairs? Would fab lighting take care of the tunnel effect for you enough to keep the wall?
The rest of your home seems very open so it'd be in keeping to remove the wall and open it up as well.

[lessismore]

You are right Teucer. Our home is quite open so in some ways the basement and the upstairs are the only closed areas and that may be the TV watchers argument. However, we have a TV upstairs as well so it is not the only place to go.
The stairwell to the basement sits under the stairway to the upper level. That staircase is open so there would be no place for lighting. It is an open pine staircase.
I saw a great photo in the April edition of House Beautiful where they focus on a "new look at wood" and that gave me some great ideas for dealing with the wood in our house and in particular the staircase and stairwell wood. They show the step stained in a dark wood with the riser in a creamy white. I have seen that before but not quite the same look as they have in the photo.
I think at the end of the day I will regret it if I do not open it up. The fact that it is a walk-out basement also pushes me to go that extra step to making it feel less basement-y. I think I can place a extra wide door (barn door style) on a sliding track that would run along that beam. If I open it up keeping that in mind then I can probably match the measurements for the barn door idea with the opening in the stairwell. I was also thinking of two barn doors so that one can go over the open entrance to my office or when necessary the two could slide over the opening to the stairwell if necessary. I mean the issue is really only an issue on a part-time basis soooooo......

[sweetie]

I have that mag; which article has the stairs you like in it?

I really like the barn door idea. Can you source them easily enough?

[lessismore]

That may be the challenge. I spoke with somebody and they recommended getting the actual barn door 'kit' (rollers etc.) from a farmer's COOP and spray-painting it black, having the barn door made with pine and then doing a white-wash on it to go with the stairs (if I was to do the stairs with the dark stain and the white riser)