Add ‘wow’ factor to your staircase
Something as simple as the staircase exemplifies the concept of “form follows function.” The phrase, made famous by renowned 19th and 20th century architect and Frank Lloyd Wright mentor Louis Sullivan, relates to the principle that design must relate primarily to its function, or purpose, rather than its aesthetic appeal. By extension, therefore, the aesthetics of a staircase are secondary to its purpose of providing a safe place to move between the levels of your new home.
Fortunately in contemporary 21st century building practices, the safe and effective function of a staircase is, at the very least, assumed. In other words, if your new home will have an exposed staircase, go ahead and do what you can to flaunt it without worry. From fully carpeted staircases with straight banisters and balusters that blend homogeneously with the home’s paint and trim, to full-dress staircases with wrought-iron balusters and carved-wood banisters, the choices are many.
The time to plan your staircases is before construction is well underway. With many builders, the standard staircase is finished with carpet over plywood. That means that, if you one day might want a solid-wood staircase, installing hardwood during construction will remove the cost and hassle factor of replacing the entire staircase down the road.
A future column in this space will address the distinct differences between upgrades and customizations. But bear in mind that some woods may not be available within the builder’s inclusions or options.
When deciding on staircase wood, runner or carpet, consider the flooring adjacent to both ends of the staircase. Will you have hardwood on the lower level and carpet upstairs? Will you have tile on one level and wood on the other? What color tones will that flooring be? You’ll want to make sure that the wood and stain choices for your staircase will complement, not clash with, the primary flooring.
Next, what about baseboards? Ask your builder to describe the baseboards that are included with construction and whether they are installed along the stairs. For builders such as Signature Homes, which is selling its Centra community in Livermore, 5-inch baseboards are included throughout! The same goes for Woodside Homes at Woodward Estates in Manteca or Cascada at Cordes in Mountain House. After purchasing your home, you’ll be able to meet with the builder’s design center experts to discuss flooring, carpet and paint choices to create a cohesive look.
Do you want a runner on the stairs? If you’re sure you do, then there’s no need to hesitate. But if you are not certain, waiting is best, in order to avoid having to fill and refinish carpet-installation marks on the wood at a later date. Either way, ask your builder if inlaid staircase carpeting is a possibility.
Included in new homes by Toll Brothers at Tassajara Hills in Dublin, for instance, are full-dress stairs. These include high-quality padded carpeting, inlaid on the stairs and providing a clean, flush look with the added functions of comfort and warmth.
Next up, of course, are banisters and balusters. A refined, contemporary look can be achieved by choosing wrought-iron balusters with banisters stained to match the new home’s overall color scheme. Grays or shades of taupe on the banister are elegant above wrought-iron balusters. And if you’re concerned about the cost of wrought-iron balusters, ask the design center for paint colors for wood balusters to achieve the wrought-iron look.
Other stunning staircase designs include matching stair and banister woods accented by either wroughtiron balusters or wood balusters painted to match the trim color. Also, be sure to consider how the wood of your banister and balusters is carved. Options may include sleek, open lines; an Arts and Crafts look; or a more classic look with traditional, turned baluster spindles.
The best part of buying a new home is that every element within it can be uniquely yours. Builders and their design teams are excited to help you envision and create the look of your dreams. No matter what style you choose, ask your builder how your staircase can provide more than a step up.