In this project for an avid reader and their young family, Lincoln Lighthill Architect removed a narrow, awkward stair and replaced it with an open, light filled entry lined with a two-story wall of books. This giant assembly of custom millwork marries a floating stair, book shelves, entry seating bench, workspace beneath the stair, and a glass “bridge” that gives access to the primary bedroom, allows light down into the entry below, and provides endless entertainment for the kids and pets!

This multistory straight stair embraces nature and simplicity. It features 1" white oak treads, paint grade risers, white oak railing and vertical metal/round balusters; the combination of colors and materials selected for this specific stair design lends a clean and elegant appeal for this brand-new home.CSC 1976-2021 © Century Stair Company ® All rights reserved.

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern wood staircase in Kansas City with wood risers and mixed railing.

In this classic Brooklyn brownstone, Slade Architecture designed a modern renovation for an active family. The design ties all four floors together with a free floating stair and three storey photo wall of blackened steel.

Space-saving staircase terminology I normally call these Alternating-tread stairs, but there are other common terms: • Space-saving Stair • Alternating stair • Thomas Jefferson Stair • Jeffersonian staircase • Ergonomic stair with staggered treads • Zig-zag-style • Boat Paddle-shaped treads • Ship’s Ladder • Alternating-tread devises • Tiny-house stairs • Crows foot stairs Space-saving Stairs have been used widely in Europe for many years and now have become quite popular in the US with the rise of the Tiny House movement. A further boost has been given to the Space-saving staircase with several of the major building codes in the US allowing them. Dreaming of a custom stair? Let the headache to us. We'd love to build one for you. Give us a call or text at 520-895-2060

Design ideas for a modern wood curved staircase in New York with wood risers and mixed railing.

Design ideas for a modern wood spiral staircase in Paris with wood risers and mixed railing.

The top of the dogleg or U-shaped stairs that run up through the center of the house, with skylights above and windows lining the whole eastern side, bringing in tons of natural light into the center of the house. Hardwood floors, white trim, and full height windows are key features of this home.

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Large modern metal l-shaped staircase in New York with open risers and mixed railing.

This is a one of a kind staircase completely designed in studio with the stair company.
Inspiration for a modern wood staircase in Calgary with mixed railing.

Photo of a small modern wood l-shaped staircase in Dallas with painted wood risers and mixed railing.

Design ideas for a modern carpeted u-shaped staircase in Edmonton with carpet risers and mixed railing.

Large modern wood u-shaped staircase in San Francisco with wood risers and mixed railing.

Concrete stairs to meet the steep slope of the driveway.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern concrete l-shaped staircase in Austin with open risers and mixed railing.

Great looking hardwood staircase with steel stringer and balusters as well as wooden handrails. Merveilleux escalier de bois franc avec limon central et barreaux en fer noirs.

Justin Adams
This is an example of a mid-sized modern wood u-shaped staircase in San Francisco with wood risers and mixed railing.

Mid-sized modern concrete l-shaped staircase in Los Angeles with concrete risers and mixed railing.

Large modern wood u-shaped staircase in Orange County with open risers and mixed railing.