Well, there she is. Done. Finis. Born the dream to reality, it is the centerpiece of our remodel; the connective tissue reuniting after some 50-plus years apart the upstairs to the downstairs and the downstairs to the upstairs.

Traditionally the core of a home is its fireplace — just take the last “h” from hearth confirms this. But to me our home’s heart is right there. Or if not its heart than its lungs. Air flows up and down its steps and risers — in and out — as if the house can with sighs of relief once more inhale and exhale, whole again after a half century of holding its breath. Click for the bigger picture.