A staircase is so much more than circulation. It provides a space to create dramatic interior architecture, a place for design to carve into, where a staircase can either embrace or stand as its own design piece. In this custom stair and railing design, completed in January 2020, we wanted a grand statement for the two-story foyer. With walls wrapped in a modern wainscoting, the staircase is a sleek combination of black metal balusters and honey stained millwork. Open stair treads of white oak were custom stained to match the engineered wide plank floors. Each riser painted white, to offset and highlight the ascent to a U-shaped loft and hallway above. The black interior doors and white painted walls enhance the subtle color of the wood, and the oversized black metal chandelier lends a classic and modern feel. The staircase is created with several “zones”: from the second story, a panoramic view is offered from the second story loft and surrounding hallway. The full height of the home is revealed and the detail of our black metal pendant can be admired in close view. At the main level, our staircase lands facing the dining room entrance, and is flanked by wall sconces set within the wainscoting. It is a formal landing spot with views to the front entrance as well as the backyard patio and pool. And in the lower level, the open stair system creates continuity and elegance as the staircase ends at the custom home bar and wine storage. The view back up from the bottom reveals a comprehensive open system to delight its family, both young and old!

Floating staircase, open floor plan
Photo of an expansive contemporary wood straight staircase in Los Angeles with open risers and mixed railing.

This residence was a complete gut renovation of a 4-story row house in Park Slope, and included a new rear extension and penthouse addition. The owners wished to create a warm, family home using a modern language that would act as a clean canvas to feature rich textiles and items from their world travels. As with most Brooklyn row houses, the existing house suffered from a lack of natural light and connection to exterior spaces, an issue that Principal Brendan Coburn is acutely aware of from his experience re-imagining historic structures in the New York area. The resulting architecture is designed around moments featuring natural light and views to the exterior, of both the private garden and the sky, throughout the house, and a stripped-down language of detailing and finishes allows for the concept of the modern-natural to shine. Upon entering the home, the kitchen and dining space draw you in with views beyond through the large glazed opening at the rear of the house. An extension was built to allow for a large sunken living room that provides a family gathering space connected to the kitchen and dining room, but remains distinctly separate, with a strong visual connection to the rear garden. The open sculptural stair tower was designed to function like that of a traditional row house stair, but with a smaller footprint. By extending it up past the original roof level into the new penthouse, the stair becomes an atmospheric shaft for the spaces surrounding the core. All types of weather – sunshine, rain, lightning, can be sensed throughout the home through this unifying vertical environment. The stair space also strives to foster family communication, making open living spaces visible between floors. At the upper-most level, a free-form bench sits suspended over the stair, just by the new roof deck, which provides at-ease entertaining. Oak was used throughout the home as a unifying material element. As one travels upwards within the house, the oak finishes are bleached to further degrees as a nod to how light enters the home. The owners worked with CWB to add their own personality to the project. The meter of a white oak and blackened steel stair screen was designed by the family to read “I love you” in Morse Code, and tile was selected throughout to reference places that hold special significance to the family. To support the owners’ comfort, the architectural design engages passive house technologies to reduce energy use, while increasing air quality within the home – a strategy which aims to respect the environment while providing a refuge from the harsh elements of urban living. This project was published by Wendy Goodman as her Space of the Week, part of New York Magazine’s Design Hunting on The Cut. Photography by Kevin Kunstadt

Inspiration for an expansive transitional wood u-shaped staircase in Denver with wood risers, mixed railing and decorative wall panelling.

Dramatic staircase backed by two-story curved white paneled wall, quartered white oak stair treads with iron spindles and carpet runner, wood handrail, and concealed LED lighting in skirt board to illuminate steps. This is so incredible in person! Photo by Paul Bonnichsen.

Dark wood stairs with custom railing leading to the balcony above.
Expansive modern wood u-shaped staircase in Phoenix with wood risers and mixed railing.

This house was inspired by the works of A. Hays Town / photography by Felix Sanchez
This is an example of an expansive traditional wood l-shaped staircase in Houston with wood risers and mixed railing.

Le réaménagement de l’aile Est « dite St Aubin » prend en compte l’important potentiel architectural et spatial du bâtiment. Le parti pris architectural a été de lier visuellement et de mettre en valeur les éléments anciens existants par la mise en œuvre d’aménagements volontairement contemporains, afin de créer le contraste permettant une lecture de chaque période constructive.

The stunning metal and wood staircase with stone wall makes a statement in the open hall leading from the entrance past dining room on the right and mudroom on the left and down to the two story windows at the end of the hall! The sandstone floors maintain a lightness that contrasts with the stone of the walls, the metal of the railings, the fir beams and the cherry newel posts. The Hammerton pendants lead you down the hall and create an interest that makes it much more than a hall!!!! Designer: Lynne Barton Bier Architect: Joe Patrick Robbins, AIA Photographer: Tim Murphy

We love creating open spaces and custom staircases ❤️?❤️ . . #payneandpayne #homebuilder #homedesign #custombuild #luxuryhome #customstairs #ohiohomebuilders #staircase #staircasedesign #ohiocustomhomes #dreamhome #nahb #buildersofinsta #clevelandbuilders #bratenhal #AtHomeCLE . .?@paulceroky

Three floating-curved flights play a spectacular effect in this recently built home; soft wooden oak treads and oak rails blend beautifully with the hardwood flooring, while its balustrade is an architectural decorative confection of black wrought-iron in clean geometrical patterns. CSC 1976-2022 © Century Stair Company ® All rights reserved.

This residence was a complete gut renovation of a 4-story row house in Park Slope, and included a new rear extension and penthouse addition. The owners wished to create a warm, family home using a modern language that would act as a clean canvas to feature rich textiles and items from their world travels. As with most Brooklyn row houses, the existing house suffered from a lack of natural light and connection to exterior spaces, an issue that Principal Brendan Coburn is acutely aware of from his experience re-imagining historic structures in the New York area. The resulting architecture is designed around moments featuring natural light and views to the exterior, of both the private garden and the sky, throughout the house, and a stripped-down language of detailing and finishes allows for the concept of the modern-natural to shine. Upon entering the home, the kitchen and dining space draw you in with views beyond through the large glazed opening at the rear of the house. An extension was built to allow for a large sunken living room that provides a family gathering space connected to the kitchen and dining room, but remains distinctly separate, with a strong visual connection to the rear garden. The open sculptural stair tower was designed to function like that of a traditional row house stair, but with a smaller footprint. By extending it up past the original roof level into the new penthouse, the stair becomes an atmospheric shaft for the spaces surrounding the core. All types of weather – sunshine, rain, lightning, can be sensed throughout the home through this unifying vertical environment. The stair space also strives to foster family communication, making open living spaces visible between floors. At the upper-most level, a free-form bench sits suspended over the stair, just by the new roof deck, which provides at-ease entertaining. Oak was used throughout the home as a unifying material element. As one travels upwards within the house, the oak finishes are bleached to further degrees as a nod to how light enters the home. The owners worked with CWB to add their own personality to the project. The meter of a white oak and blackened steel stair screen was designed by the family to read “I love you” in Morse Code, and tile was selected throughout to reference places that hold special significance to the family. To support the owners’ comfort, the architectural design engages passive house technologies to reduce energy use, while increasing air quality within the home – a strategy which aims to respect the environment while providing a refuge from the harsh elements of urban living. This project was published by Wendy Goodman as her Space of the Week, part of New York Magazine’s Design Hunting on The Cut. Photography by Kevin Kunstadt

Expansive traditional wood u-shaped staircase in Seattle with wood risers and mixed railing.

Philip Kistner
This is an example of an expansive traditional wood curved staircase in Cologne with wood risers and mixed railing.

The goal in building this home was to create an exterior esthetic that elicits memories of a Tuscan Villa on a hillside and also incorporates a modern feel to the interior. Modern aspects were achieved using an open staircase along with a 25' wide rear folding door. The addition of the folding door allows us to achieve a seamless feel between the interior and exterior of the house. Such creates a versatile entertaining area that increases the capacity to comfortably entertain guests. The outdoor living space with covered porch is another unique feature of the house. The porch has a fireplace plus heaters in the ceiling which allow one to entertain guests regardless of the temperature. The zero edge pool provides an absolutely beautiful backdrop—currently, it is the only one made in Indiana. Lastly, the master bathroom shower has a 2' x 3' shower head for the ultimate waterfall effect. This house is unique both outside and in.

Upstairs Suite features underlit stairwell steps, dimmable recessed can lights and french doors to an outdoor patio. The bathroom features a pedestal sink, glass shower doors, and plenty of natural light to fill out the space.

Purser Architectural Custom Home Design built by Tommy Cashiola Custom Homes
Inspiration for an expansive mediterranean wood floating staircase in Houston with travertine risers and mixed railing.

David K. Lowe
Expansive modern concrete curved staircase in Tampa with mixed railing.

New 2-story residence consisting of; kitchen, breakfast room, laundry room, butler’s pantry, wine room, living room, dining room, study, 4 guest bedroom and master suite. Exquisite custom fabricated, sequenced and book-matched marble, granite and onyx, walnut wood flooring with stone cabochons, bronze frame exterior doors to the water view, custom interior woodwork and cabinetry, mahogany windows and exterior doors, teak shutters, custom carved and stenciled exterior wood ceilings, custom fabricated plaster molding trim and groin vaults.