Sweet hidden architecture in the Times

Most awesome hidden staircase ever: From a New York times article on the rising popularity of novelty architecture in family homes. I hope one day I can do something badass like this with my house.

Secret rooms speak to the homeowner’s sense of playfulness and perhaps to something deeper. “When we started the company we thought we were going to only attract eccentrics,” said Krystal Strong, co-owner of Hide a Door in Humble, Tex., whose doors’ average cost is $1,600. “But I think everybody is on the eccentric side; they want to make their home unique.” ..... For Mr. Coile, building a home with a secret room was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Behind a bookcase in the library of his house is a compact spiral staircase that connects to an upstairs writing area overlooking the library and to a downstairs home theater as well as to a nondescript room with a view into a bar through a one-way mirror. They have shown the setup to so many friends that its secrecy has evaporated, which Mr. Coile said is fine with him. “What use does this have?” he said. “Absolutely none. My builder’s eyes rolled back in his head when I told him I wanted a secret room. What can I say? I watched too many Disney movies when I was a boy.”

True story. Utterly frivolous, but awesome nonetheless.

NY Times fulltext