What Says "Quality" In A Home? Wooden Tread Staircases

Janell Beals October 23, 2010

Designer, writer, renovator

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A reader of my blog recently shared pictures of her newly completed home with me, a home which was custom built with outstanding craftsmanship. One feature that caught my eye and made the house stand out as exceptional was the attention to detail, including a beautiful wooden tread staircase. It is details such as these that say "quality," and I was inspired to see what examples of wooden tread staircases could be found on Houzz.

As you will see, there was no shortage of wonderful staircases to showcase. What I find interesting is that the attention to detail doesn't stop with the stairs. If time and money is spent getting this detail right, equal attention is given to the surrounding areas.

Traditional Staircase Traditional Staircase

Here is traditional architecture at its best. The dark stair treads and handrail create a wonderful contrast against the millwork seen in this entry.

Hirsch Associates LLC

Steel, glass and dark wood are combined in an strikingly artistic and modern way on this staircase.

Elite Metalcraft Co. Ltd

The warm wooden stairs are in gorgeous contrast to the cool floors and walls, with a gleaming glass wall creating drama.

Eck | MacNeely Architects inc.

I would be happy each time I walked these stairs, looking out the beautifully encased windows at the trees beyond.

Leo J. Blackman Architects

Dark gray millwork compliments the natural toned stair treads and flooring. I am also intrigued by the Shoji screen inspired divider seen in the background, which looks perfectly at home with the craftsman style architecture.

An interesting combination of light and heavy elements are included in this design. The wooden planks used as stair treads are held in place by a steel staircase, with thin wires strung between the handrail and staircase frame. These thin wires relate to those seen on the light fixture. The heavy stonework frames the view and visually introduces texture into the interior.

Mark English Architects, AIA

Is this a staircase or a sculpture? The dark wood paired with white walls and marble floors highlights the sweeping lines of the staircase.

Logan's Hammer Building & Renovation

This home embraces the features I love most in a well made home: natural materials, excellent craftsmanship and the obvious thought given to make the most of each nook and cranny. The built-in work area and glass front cabinet are wonderful examples of details that can only be found in a quality home.

Brennan + Company Architects

I love the look and function of a window seat tucked into a stair landing. This area wouldn't be nearly as beautiful if the stairs were covered with carpet.

Brennan + Company Architects

Here is the same home, looking at the staircase from the main floor. The built-in storage tucked under the stairs is very functional and a great example of how attention to detail can make a home special.

User

Adding numbers to risers is a fun detail, particularly when paired with a rope banister.

Feldman Architecture, Inc.

The painting hung above the stairs on this landing perfectly enhances the tone of the wood and lines of the staircase.

Tracery Interiors

There is much to appreciate about this space: The wooden staircase, light streaming in from above and a nook which provides a wonderful spot to display a favorite piece of art. But what really catches my eye is the unusual curve of the wall framing the staircase.