Just wanted to say, I love love love the little mouse pass-through in the bottom stair! Such a fun touch- my boys would love to launch matchbox cars or trains through it. »
As for the garden-level floor, Brendan says, "The space at the bottom of the stairs is a kids' playroom—the odd leftover space under the stair was turned into a playhouse—with portholes and a small tunnel for toy trains and toy horses."
Oh, and about those circles Brendan says, "Portholes are way fun! It needed to be whimsical, and yes, there is a fort behind the portholes and the stair—good times!"
Experiment in a play space. Speaking of more casual spaces, try out a new hue in a child's bedroom or playroom. Your little ones will have strong opinions and brilliant ideas about color you may not have thought of.
Room dividers. Don’t have an extra room to designate as the kids’ playroom? Consider building a divider in your living space. The kids will have their own area, and you’ll have a place to round up all the toys and gadgets out of sight.
This space under the staircase is a lot prettier than what my brother and I had going on. The perforations in the wall add a whimsical element for the grownups and peek-a-boo spots for the little ones.
4. Pay attention to comfort and style. While you want your child's play space to be clean, you don't want it to be sterile. Add color and texture, and make it a comfortable space to hang out in. Choose flooring that's comfortable but easy to clean. Stain-resistant carpeting is always a great choice, but padded play mats or rugs can work just as well on hardwood floors. Having a play mat also gives your child an assigned surface to play on. Mats can be stored under beds or rolled up, which is helpful if your child's play space is shared with another room.
thanks