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At the crossroads of architecture and home design lie stairs. They serve an important and practical function and they can serve as important design elements, but as this aptly named Facebook group loves to point out, they can also be downright deadly without the appropriate safety considerations.

Honestly, it takes some talent and creativity to make stairs that are as unsafe as some of the masterpieces on this list. Some seem downright uncomfortable while others present clear tripping hazards or even fool the eyes into hiding individual steps. Let us know which ones you think you’d trip on in the comments.

#2

When The House Lights Go Down, Good Luck

When The House Lights Go Down, Good Luck

Arlo Dykstra Report

Stairs may seem deceptively simple at first. How hard is it to design a set of stairs? Just make a bunch of steps and you’ve got it, right? Not quite. In addition to whatever architectural regulations there may be, there are some basic geometric rules that ought to be followed.

#4

Left, Picture Of Stairs From Top-The Wood Planks Run Parallel To Stair Edges Seemingly Forming A Flat Surface. Right, Steps Viewed From Bottom After Fall

Left, Picture Of Stairs From Top-The Wood Planks Run Parallel To Stair Edges Seemingly Forming A Flat Surface. Right, Steps Viewed From Bottom After Fall

Stanna Sims Edwards Report

#5

This Made My Stomach Swoop

This Made My Stomach Swoop

Adrianne Robbennolt Report

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WindySwede
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

just install the 'Stairerslide' strait down to the beach!

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#6

The 'Stairs Of Death' Are A Section Of Stone Steps Built By The Incas, Which Lead To The Top Of Huayna Picchu, In Peru, Which Is One Of The Steep Mountains That Overlooks Machu Picchu

The 'Stairs Of Death' Are A Section Of Stone Steps Built By The Incas, Which Lead To The Top Of Huayna Picchu, In Peru, Which Is One Of The Steep Mountains That Overlooks Machu Picchu

The peak of the mountain is 2,693 metres above sea level and has Inca ruins on top.
You couldn't pay me a billion dollars to walk up that

SuperSoul Ever Report

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The ideal rise and run for a single normal step is 7” rise and 11” run (~18cm x ~25cm). However, other ratios are possible for other types of steps. There are tons of sites online that break down the rules of stair design, and that’s all before you get into the fancy ideas highlighted in this post.

#7

I Just Fell Down These In My Mind And It Sounded Like Someone Hitting A Gong In A Very Uncoordinated Way

I Just Fell Down These In My Mind And It Sounded Like Someone Hitting A Gong In A Very Uncoordinated Way

Victor Merriam Report

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The Original Bruno
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The half-stairs seem vastly superior to ladders as a steep climb. However, I presume that guard rails were eventually installed.

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#8

I Wanna See Someone Try This In Heels

I Wanna See Someone Try This In Heels

Maria Lewandowska Report

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Edda Kamphues
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think there is a fair reason why stairs and escalators feature very prominently in my nightmares.

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Fortunately, most jurisdictions do have some sort of requirements for stairs, and we suspect that they haven’t been followed in many of these examples. In addition to rise over run requirements, step and stair regulations may determine banister shape and height, step edge shapes, step layout, rotation characteristics for steps that turn, and other factors - all of which can determine how likely it is for a set of steps to cause accidents.

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#10

“Stairs” Designed By Francesco Librizzi. It’s Really More Of A Treacherous Ladder. I’d Consider Going Up These. Would Not Be Interested In Going Down Them

“Stairs” Designed By Francesco Librizzi. It’s Really More Of A Treacherous Ladder. I’d Consider Going Up These. Would Not Be Interested In Going Down Them

Eve Bensky Report

#11

A Set Of Steep Stairs Each Step Alternates So That You Can Only Really Put One Foot On A Step At A Time. It's Also Nearly A Straight Down Angle

A Set Of Steep Stairs Each Step Alternates So That You Can Only Really Put One Foot On A Step At A Time. It's Also Nearly A Straight Down Angle

Martin Ellis Everett Report

#12

Oh No, I'll Jump, Thanks

Oh No, I'll Jump, Thanks

Bec Collier Report

#13

An Unusual Cuboidal Stairway In The Little Village San Augustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico (Vernacular Architecture) They Are Made Out Of Red Stone And In Six Alternating Columns. The Ankle Twister

An Unusual Cuboidal Stairway In The Little Village San Augustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico (Vernacular Architecture) They Are Made Out Of Red Stone And In Six Alternating Columns. The Ankle Twister

Nanners Foster Report

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Serenity Now!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think there may be some skeletons at the bottom of these, um, stairs.

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#14

I Can Already Feel The Concussion

I Can Already Feel The Concussion

Greta Peterson Report

#15

My Shins Hurt Looking At This

My Shins Hurt Looking At This

Ria Josephine Report

#16

When You Don't Have Enough Space For Stairs! Brilliant Child-Friendly Space With An Observatory Tower Incorporated By Arch. Hiroshi Okamoto

When You Don't Have Enough Space For Stairs! Brilliant Child-Friendly Space With An Observatory Tower Incorporated By Arch. Hiroshi Okamoto

Kahli-Ann Douglas Report

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Zara VP
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe leading to a 'secret' loft but not as my main stairwell!

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#17

Stairs For People Who Aren’t Afraid To Die And Who Enjoy The Nauseating Feeling Of Vertigo

Stairs For People Who Aren’t Afraid To Die And Who Enjoy The Nauseating Feeling Of Vertigo

Devin McLachlan Report

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#19

Love My New Apartment But These Are The Stairs Leading Up To The Loft. They Feel More Like A Ladder Because Of How Steep They Are. Don’t Get Me Started On How We’re Going To Move Furniture Up There

Love My New Apartment But These Are The Stairs Leading Up To The Loft. They Feel More Like A Ladder Because Of How Steep They Are. Don’t Get Me Started On How We’re Going To Move Furniture Up There

Beth Carmen Report

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Kimbowa
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Move the furniture out the front door instead and get your deposit back.

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#20

Honey What's Wrong, You Haven't Gone Down The Stairerslide Today

Honey What's Wrong, You Haven't Gone Down The Stairerslide Today

Victor Merriam Report

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nari<333
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my butt hurts js looking at this..5 year old me on the other hand is dying to try it out

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#21

Imy Online Civil Engineer Major Is Starting To Pay Off, Another Satisfied Customer

Imy Online Civil Engineer Major Is Starting To Pay Off, Another Satisfied Customer

Dario Ferrari Fuenzalida Report

#23

The Chair There So People Can Sit And Watch The Injuries

The Chair There So People Can Sit And Watch The Injuries

Brad Blackwell Report

#24

It Looks Like A Human Spine To Me

It Looks Like A Human Spine To Me

Móni Barajas Report

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More!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Walk them enough and you might eventually get the chance to compare them with your human spine…

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#25

I Would Like To Have A Word With The Architect Of This Building

I Would Like To Have A Word With The Architect Of This Building

Bia Cambraia Report

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Mattias Svensson
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an art istallation by Lang/Baumann (brilliant, if you want my opinion) and doesnt belong here

Lawrence
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean...art or not, they are stairs aren't they? The category criteria did not include a prohibition on any submission that Mattias has determined to be "brilliant," nor on Lang/Baumann designs.

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Verena
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Art. Most likely a communal building, in most cases a very small percentage of the budget is reserved for art.

Helen Taylor
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, it's a kind of staple and it's holding the whole building together.

Mattias Svensson
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#26

Ventilation Grill At The Bottom Of The Enclosure Suggests That Installing Air Conditioning Was More Desired Than A Usable Stairway. Or These Are Cat Stairs

Ventilation Grill At The Bottom Of The Enclosure Suggests That Installing Air Conditioning Was More Desired Than A Usable Stairway. Or These Are Cat Stairs

Catherine Tait Report

#29

Do These Count? They Are In My Son's Room Btw, And I Quite Like Them

Do These Count? They Are In My Son's Room Btw, And I Quite Like Them

Marek Wói Report

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Zara VP
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like it's leading to a loft/ hang out area. Not bad for that purpose.

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#30

The ‘V’ In The Design Is For Very Dangerous

The ‘V’ In The Design Is For Very Dangerous

Melinda Owen Ramsey Report

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Aileen Grist
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lots of older houses in the uk had these for when the bedrooms were opposite one another. You get used to them very quickly.

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#31

Stone Stairs With Glass Handrail Leading To A Steep Drop

Stone Stairs With Glass Handrail Leading To A Steep Drop

Stefan Eckel Report

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Serenity Now!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok...this one made me laugh...must pay full attention at the bottom. LOL

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#32

Oh Well

Oh Well

Genious Gabu Report

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ISeeWendiGo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For when the Fast and the Furious 97 comes out and they're all so old that they're racing wheelchairs instead of cars!😎👩‍🦼👩‍🦽👴👵🏆

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#33

Stair Designed By People With Two Feet. I Really Hate These Things At My Gym

Stair Designed By People With Two Feet. I Really Hate These Things At My Gym

Roberto Ruiz Report

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#35

Only A Stair In The Loosest Sense, A Clean White Tiled Ordinary-Looking Men's Bathroom Has An Unusual Vertical Access Method

Only A Stair In The Loosest Sense, A Clean White Tiled Ordinary-Looking Men's Bathroom Has An Unusual Vertical Access Method

The first two urials are placed at normal height for your average male genitalia. However, the third pee depositary looms above 2 inches from the ceiling. It's bowl is, almost defiant, orientated towards the ceiling. Truly only a giant whose legs are 90% of his height would be able to take advantage of such a piece of plumbing unaided. What vertical assistance is available to our average man? A staircase perhaps? a ladder? Leading up to the bowl are five red rock climbing hand holds. The lowest is placed at heights that maybe a toddler could access and the tallest one at perhaps at head height. At the urinal no such had holds exist besides the gas heater pipes. What type of mutlilegged creature can access such a waste disposal method boggles the mind. Perhaps the building developers had spiderman as their target market. 

Samuel Cooper Report

#36

Two Levels Of Stairs In What Looks To Be A Highly Trafficked Area, Where The Center Railing Connects To The Left Side Of The Second Set Of Stairs. Thus Completely Blocking Off Entry From The Left Side Of The Stairs

Two Levels Of Stairs In What Looks To Be A Highly Trafficked Area, Where The Center Railing Connects To The Left Side Of The Second Set Of Stairs. Thus Completely Blocking Off Entry From The Left Side Of The Stairs

Annekah Marx McClinton Report

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#37

A Set Of Stairs That Leads Up Into The Second Floor But Also Partially Leads Up To Nothingness As The Houses Walls Were Built Into It. Perfect For A Fairy Shelf

A Set Of Stairs That Leads Up Into The Second Floor But Also Partially Leads Up To Nothingness As The Houses Walls Were Built Into It. Perfect For A Fairy Shelf

Olivia Hill Report

#38

Specially Engineered To Promote Faceplants

Specially Engineered To Promote Faceplants

Joe Fyfe Hardy Report

#40

Imagine Having To Run Through These During A Fire

Imagine Having To Run Through These During A Fire

Amanda Webster Report

#41

A Staircase Passing Through A Counter... And Using The Top Of The Counter As A Step

A Staircase Passing Through A Counter... And Using The Top Of The Counter As A Step

Matheus Martins de Moura Report

#42

Found These Stairs In A ”luxury” House Listing In Croatia. The Price For This House Is 1.2m €!

Found These Stairs In A ”luxury” House Listing In Croatia. The Price For This House Is 1.2m €!

anon Report

#43

Sudden Case Of Wall

Sudden Case Of Wall

Kalle Tahkolahti Report

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digitalin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For me, it's that dinky little metal leg holding it up that makes zero sense

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#44

Stairs With Similarly Colored Tiles, No Hand Rail, And A Glass Wall... In A Beach Town Where Our Feet Were Regularly Wet. Almost Died A Few Times

Stairs With Similarly Colored Tiles, No Hand Rail, And A Glass Wall... In A Beach Town Where Our Feet Were Regularly Wet. Almost Died A Few Times

Morgan Lindsay Hannigan Report

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#45

One Way Ticket To A Stubbed Toe

One Way Ticket To A Stubbed Toe

Amanda Rall Report

#46

Imagine Being Half Asleep And Just Needing To Pee

Imagine Being Half Asleep And Just Needing To Pee

Leah Pearson Report

#48

I Live In A House Built Sometime Before 1855. These Are The Only Stairs From The First Floor To The Second Floor

 I Live In A House Built Sometime Before 1855. These Are The Only Stairs From The First Floor To The Second Floor

Dani Elizabeth Report

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Sharyn Hay
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We lived in an old house that had 1 set of normal stairs, for company,1 set of narrow, steep stairs to the bathroom and bedroom and one set of "servant's" stairs that were like these.

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#49

I Work In Lighthouses. These Aren't The Worst I've Come Across. They Lull You Into A False Sense Of Safety Thinking They Are Stairs But They Need To Be Used Like A Ladder. Can Barely Fit Your Heels On The Step If Facing Downwards

I Work In Lighthouses. These Aren't The Worst I've Come Across. They Lull You Into A False Sense Of Safety Thinking They Are Stairs But They Need To Be Used Like A Ladder. Can Barely Fit Your Heels On The Step If Facing Downwards

anon Report

#50

Free Floating Apparition, Stairs Designed By A Sadist Or Art Installation? Maybe All Of The Above

Free Floating Apparition, Stairs Designed By A Sadist Or Art Installation? Maybe All Of The Above

Alison Malcolm Report

#51

This Stairwell In Rajasthan, India Inside A Well Is The Deepest In The World. It's Called Chand Baori And Was Made By Slaves In The City Of Jaipur

This Stairwell In Rajasthan, India Inside A Well Is The Deepest In The World. It's Called Chand Baori And Was Made By Slaves In The City Of Jaipur

Alison Malcolm Report

#52

Everyday You Can Rearrange The Shelves!

Everyday You Can Rearrange The Shelves!

Kuan-Tsung Sammy Wu Report

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Zara VP
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, looks like it's leading to a lofty area. These types of unique steps are practical for that kind of space.

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#53

That's The Gateway To Hell

That's The Gateway To Hell

Laurie Lingel Report

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Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its an abandoned Indian stepwell ruin. It allowed multiple women in the same village to access the well simultaneously regardless of how much water was in it. It also served as a reservoir to store water during the rainy season for the dry season. Google stepwell to see many amazing designs over 1200 years.

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#54

Painted Outdoor Staircase In Bucharest, Romania, Made To Look Like A Waterfall, With Mossy Rocks Included

Painted Outdoor Staircase In Bucharest, Romania, Made To Look Like A Waterfall, With Mossy Rocks Included

Phattay Terrell Report

#55

N Steep Outdoor Staircase Leading Down An Equally Deep Hill, Into The Dark Abyss

N Steep Outdoor Staircase Leading Down An Equally Deep Hill, Into The Dark Abyss

Autumn Owens Report

#58

It's Certainly One Of The Stairs Of All Time

It's Certainly One Of The Stairs Of All Time

Halil Burak Memiş Report

#59

A Witch Lives There. I Feel It

A Witch Lives There. I Feel It

Rodrigo Franco Report

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Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its a grain silo. There are augers on the opposite side of the building. This stairwell is to access a walkway that runs the length of the building so you can unblock clogs in the tube that dumps the grain. The tube runs the length of the building too so it can evenly dump the grain.

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#61

They Desperately Tried To Make This All Work!

They Desperately Tried To Make This All Work!

Becky Robbins Report

#62

Wider Set Of Stairs With No Actual Handrailings And Thinner Set Of Stairs With A Handrail That Nobody Could Fit Through

Wider Set Of Stairs With No Actual Handrailings And Thinner Set Of Stairs With A Handrail That Nobody Could Fit Through

Tristan Lewis Report

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Heather Mack-Scott
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very weird, but looks like this is a retro fitted raised landing. On the landing in the back you can see where the new platform starts. I just cant' imagine what the door to the floor behind the camera looks like though. Unless there is no exit, but the old landing underneath is somehow damaged and new metal stairs put over it.

#63

Me Designing My Sims House

Me Designing My Sims House

Catmin's Anticapitalist Treehouse of Solidarity Report

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Aileen Grist
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in a couple of houses with stairs like these - or the V top step. It's amazing how you just get used to it and don't even notice - these look a bit wide - usually you just step from one side to the other without going down the first step

#64

Okay So I Know That Technically These Stairs Are Designed Precisely To Keep You Alive But Still

Okay So I Know That Technically These Stairs Are Designed Precisely To Keep You Alive But Still

Maggie DeMeulmeester Report

#65

Granny's Teeth On The Cobb, Lyme Regis UK

Granny's Teeth On The Cobb, Lyme Regis UK

Jenner Fer Elizabeth Report

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C L
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least these are closer together and the step isn't as high as the Incan Stairs of Death above

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#66

I Just Want To Send A Slinky Down It

I Just Want To Send A Slinky Down It

Richard Vautrin-Hickam Report

#67

The Only Surviving Sunken Bath House Designed By Sir John Soane

The Only Surviving Sunken Bath House Designed By Sir John Soane

Regency History Report

#68

And If You Miss The Trash Bins, You Possibly Get Impaled By Those Parking Pole Things

And If You Miss The Trash Bins, You Possibly Get Impaled By Those Parking Pole Things

Sasky Magiary Report

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#69

On A Real Estate Listing In My Area

On A Real Estate Listing In My Area

Ezra Dogwood Report

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#70

When Aesthetics Lead To Bad Design Hazards

When Aesthetics Lead To Bad Design Hazards

AstroNorm Marigza Report

#71

Water Closets Designed By People Who Aren’t Afraid To Die

Water Closets Designed By People Who Aren’t Afraid To Die

Amy Currin Report

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Tyranamar Seuss
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sure. Just hang a left, go half-way up the stairs, and you can poop right there in the hall.

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#72

Yikes! This Is A Finished Office Space For Rent

Yikes! This Is A Finished Office Space For Rent

Kimberly Dahlquist Report

#73

A Staircase Into A Loft Conversion We Saw In A House We Viewed Recently. I Went Up And Down This While I Was Super Hungover 😭😂

A Staircase Into A Loft Conversion We Saw In A House We Viewed Recently. I Went Up And Down This While I Was Super Hungover 😭😂

Charis Chapman Report

#74

Stairs. But The One Third From Top Is Going To Kill You

Stairs. But The One Third From Top Is Going To Kill You

Morgan Lindsay Hannigan Report

#76

A Stair Where Each Steap Is A Slab Of Glass Rigidly Bolted To The Wall. No Handrail, No Non-Slip Insert, Just Glass

A Stair Where Each Steap Is A Slab Of Glass Rigidly Bolted To The Wall. No Handrail, No Non-Slip Insert, Just Glass

Alessandro Vacca Report

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#78

My Wife Took This Picture From The Loft Of Her Airbnb

My Wife Took This Picture From The Loft Of Her Airbnb

Eva-Lise Carlstrom Report

#79

9/10 Aesthetic. 10/10 Death By Stairs

9/10 Aesthetic. 10/10 Death By Stairs

Emma Beaumont Report

#80

That's Pretty Freaking Cool. Albeit, I Would Fall Down And Die

That's Pretty Freaking Cool. Albeit, I Would Fall Down And Die

Victoria Dovey Spicer Report

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S. E. in Indiana
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like a hell of a wine cellar. At least while you are lying on your back from the fall you would have something to drink while waiting on the paramedics to arrive. Of course, by the time they got there, they would probably think that's why you fell in the first place. What the hell, I'll have another.

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#81

Look At It This Lovely Structure. Maybe A Little Bit Dirty But Hé Looks So Innocent

Look At It This Lovely Structure. Maybe A Little Bit Dirty But Hé Looks So Innocent

Iris Wijngaarden Report

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#82

Platform 9 3/4’s

Platform 9 3/4’s

Nick Mitchell Report

#83

Any Thoughts Anyone?

Any Thoughts Anyone?

Rònan Stewart Report

#84

Love A Good Repair Job

Love A Good Repair Job

Chase Howell Report

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