Brown Residence, Week 15
Let’s face it.  That grand sweeping staircase from Gone With The Wind is an architectural detail that appeals to many, yet realized by few.

When you’re building, renovating or remodeling your home, redesigning your ordinary staircase and transforming it into the extraordinary – will not only create an architectural focal point – but will instantly transform your foyer into a spectacular showpiece.

In my last post we talked about the importance of determining the run and type of stair that bests suits for home.  Whether you’re working with a Straight Run, L-Shape, U-Shape, Spiral or Curve, here are some straight- forward tips and clever design ideas to keep in mind when styling your stairs:

• Strategy and Planning. – If your main staircase is situated in your foyer it MUST be welcoming and inviting.  If space allows create a sense of graciousness by going beyond the minimum code requirements.  Adding an extra foot or two in width to the stairs creates a more impressive reception.

• Create a Sense of Grandeur – Enlarge the bottom step of your staircase by making them wider than the ones above.  Curve the entire step on each side and extend them beyond the newel posts always making sure that bottom stair faces into the space it occupies.

• Character and Personality - In many cases your staircase provides a first impression of your home and sets the stage for what’s to follow.  So make sure its design is reflective of your home’s TRUE style.  Inject your personality into the details.

• Customized Details – To infuse some artistic and architectural details customize your railings.  Depending on your home’s architectural style, rather than utilizing a builders’ standard wooden spindle and handrail, why not introduce a mixture of materials like metals and woods or concrete and glass and turn a practical staircase into a unique design feature.

• Be Creative – If you’re short on storage space, utilize the wasted space beneath the stairs by either designing built-in bookshelves to house your favorite collection of periodicals, discreetly design drawers in the risers to store extra shoes and slippers, or sneak in a sleek powder room to accommodate the overflow of house guests.

I hope these images inspire you in some way.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “How to Avoid the 15 Most Common Decorating Mistakes”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

Brown Residence, Week 15

Whether you’re planning to renovate your two-story home, adding on a second floor or just revamping your main floor entrance/foyer, your staircase becomes the focal point and a main architectural feature of the space it occupies.

While planning the Brown’s renovation and addition, it becomes clear that the run, shape, style and details of the staircase, is incredibly important to the overall style of their home.  While access to the second floor’s master suite is not accessible from the main entry – but off the children’s lounge – it  will act as a focal point, invite us up to the master suite and highlight the space it occupies. The main objective here is to incorporate Liz’s storage needs beneath the stairs, and customize the design to reflect the true style of their home.

Before you begin styling your stairs you first need to determine the run or stair type that best fits into your floor plan.  And ask yourself – how much space you have to work with?

Typically there are 5 Stair Types to consider when planning or renovating your home.

Which type fits your home best?

1.  Straight Run Stair:

Straight run stairs are typically used in new home construction where space is at a premium and budget a consideration.  There are no turns or landings on this stair type as the name implies.

2.  L-Shaped Stair:

The L-shaped stair has a 90-degree turn at the landing.  Depending on the space you’re working with, this shape could use long or short legs, and occupies about the same amount of space as a curved staircase.  A variation of this type is the L-Shape with winders which when short on space takes the typical landing area and adds angled treads to ascend in a shorter run.  (Make sure these winders comply with local building codes).

3.   U-Shaped Stair:

Either a wide or narrow U-Shape can be designed for your space.  As the stairs ascend, they switch back from the landing headed in the direction of the run below.  This stair design is quite useful in tighter floor plans and can be stacked for multi-level structures.

4.  Spiral Stair:

Everyone loves a spiral staircase – and at its best – it occupies a minimal amount of space.  The treads radiate out from a center pole, with a curving center support and are often used as a secondary stair in a family home. If you’re space is limited, position the spiral in the corner of your room and reserve it for low-traffic areas.  Since each tread is tapered, it makes climbing a bit tricky.

5.  Curved stair:

The curved stair or winder can be contoured in multiple shapes, and ascends in a broader curve from level to level.  It typically has a more open center diameter than the spiral stair. Therefore the treads are more generously dimensioned and proportioned qualifying it to serve as your home’s main staircase.  This type of design is spectacular free standing on its own – or nestled in to a curved wall.

These are just a few of basics.  Keep in mind that each and every one of these 5 stair types can be customized and modified to fit right into your home’s personality.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “How to Avoid the 15 Most Common Decorating Mistakes”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.