"backstairs" is the area of a mansion that guests to the house don't see-- it is the utilitarian, everyday service passages limited to the household staff who maintain the residence and serve the family. It is an area to be kept away from view-- the place where the dirty laundry is kept until laundered and fit to be seen by the public, where pantries are stocked an outdated provisions discarded. It's where the keeping up of appearances is done. If someone goes "creeping 'round" in that area, they could learn more about the homeowner than they were expected to, and see behind the facade of propriety.
In Sundown, the metaphor of "my backstairs" is brilliant. Two words that describe the entire package of items from skeletons in the closet to our deepest heart's desire that we all hide away and won't reveal to someone if we're only physically attracted to them.
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