Question… I wonder if he is tied to his mortgage?

The pillars look as though they are placed for structure rather then looks, plus do not match the downstairs at all as they are modern and plain, so are a recent addition given their location. They surely cut into the space, especially at the top of the stairs.

It is a very majestic home, with the concave, molded and adorned ceilings and walls, yet he has made it feel subdued as well as lush. (I love the old ceiling..I used to have a huge old house myself, but not QUITE as big…)

This picture is likely the mid floor as it still has a fine ceiling and that is where the master’s bedrooms were. The picture of the sitting area, third one up, is probably the 3rd floor as it is simple and free of adornment on the walls or ceilings.

There also would be no stairs to the third floor on the same area as the bedrooms and the stair would simpler and more straight up. Reason? The third floor was where the help was housed.

Given that there’s no corresponding staircase leading “up” and noting the presence of the skylight, one suspects that this photo is the top level of the townhouse, more likely than not where the master bedroom suite is located. In other words, not a spot within the home likely to be frequented by “house guests.” As a good high-plutocrat, it’s unlikely he’d do that idiotic bourgeois “wanna see the upstairs” exercise. That being said, it comes as no surprise that he’d want a nice ego-boost on his way downstairs each morning.