Stairway to heaven

By Melissa Howell, OPUBCO Communications Group

Staircases often are an integral part of our memories and events. Where would Scarlet O’Hara be without the Tara’s grand staircase? And what about those famous staircases – the sweeping staircase of the Paris Opera or the ornate spiral staircase at the Vatican?

These stairways are a focal point of what the architect was hoping to express – be it opulence and grandeur or a beautiful path that spirals toward God.

Modern staircases

Today as in times past, staircases depict both function and cultural aesthetics. In larger homes, stairs often are a sweeping geometric or spiral design that dominate the foyer.

Borrowed from Southern or Georgian architecture, contemporary geometric staircases use clean flowing lines, simple turning shapes and is finished in paint or stained handrails fixed to continuous wrought iron or the more traditional ornate cast iron balusters. A geometric stair will usually are curved and sweep up from the ground floor using broad, flowing lines.

These types of staircases use a great deal of space, said Edmond interior designer Patty Mercer. “They often leave an awkward space under the stairs. But if done well, these spaces can be an asset to the home.”

The popularity of spiral staircases is on the rise. The tightly twisted spiral has given way to elegant, winding ascent. These staircases leave no awkward spaces and, like the classic U-shaped and L-shaped stairways, consume much less space making them an optimal choice for multi-level apartments and smaller homes. However, because of their shape, it is difficult to move large objects up and down a spiral staircase and older occupants may find them tricky to navigate, she said.

Effective design requires early planning

When building a new home, planning for the staircase early in the design process will allow homeowners to maximize its look and function.

Placement and design are the two major factors in constructing a staircase, Mercer said. Placement, of course, depends on the intended use. If the staircase will be designed to make a statement, it most likely will be situated near the entrance to the home.

The design will depend on the amount of space the homeowner wants to dedicate to the staircase as well as the architecture of the home, be it Victorian, Old World Tuscan or contemporary.

Decorative aspects of staircase design include materials, finishes, color, pattern and lighting, she said. Will the stairway walls match those of the upstairs or the downstairs? Will the entire unit be one color? Will the balustrade be wrought iron or wood?

“Lighting also is very important in terms of safety and aesthetics,” Mercer said. “A chandelier affixed above a landing or wall sconces work well and can carry the interior design from one floor to the next.”