library and reading area build into and under stairway.
Example of a farmhouse wooden u-shaped open staircase design in San Francisco

Michael deLeon Photography
Example of a trendy wooden u-shaped open and metal railing staircase design in Denver

Brady Pape
Staircase - mid-sized contemporary wooden u-shaped open and metal railing staircase idea in Boise

Trendy wooden floating open staircase photo in Minneapolis

Main stairwell at Weston Modern project. Architect: Stern McCafferty.
Inspiration for a large modern wooden u-shaped open staircase remodel in Boston

Ryan Gamma
Example of a large minimalist wooden u-shaped open and mixed material railing staircase design in Tampa

This dramatic glass and steel staircase is a study in contrast. Leading directly from the living room above, it descends past a stone accent wall towards large glass doors leading to the back yard and has direct views of the ocean. Behind the stairs sits a grand piano bathed in light from an interior courtyard.

Interior staircase of an AIA East Bay Award-winning new construction home in the Berkeley Hills, CA. A two-story floating open-riser stair with hardwood treads suspended from a vertical black steel rod balustrade rises the full height of the board-formed concrete retaining wall. The hillside itself expressed as the home's most powerful interior material. The vertical steel rod balustrade creates a rhythmic screen of fine black lines against the raw concrete texture, while the continuous steel-framed skylight slot above floods the stair volume with natural light that rakes across the board-formed horizontal grain. An oak wall-mounted handrail runs the full height of the concrete wall on the right.

When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

Located in Menlo Park, California, this 3,000 sf. remodel was carefully crafted to generate excitement and make maximum use of the owner’s strict budget and comply with the city’s stringent planning code. It was understood that not everything was to be redone from a prior owner’s quirky remodel which included odd inward angled walls, circular windows and cedar shingles. Remedial work to remove and prevent dry rot ate into the budget as well. Studied alterations to the exterior include a new trellis over the garage door, pushing the entry out to create a new soaring stair hall and stripping the exterior down to simplify its appearance. The new steel entry stair leads to a floating bookcase that pivots to the family room. For budget reasons, it was decided to keep the existing cedar shingles. Upstairs, a large oak multi-level staircase was replaced with the new simple run of stairs. The impact of angled bedroom walls and circular window in the bathroom were calmed with new clean white walls and tile. Photo Credit: John Sutton Photography.

Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography
Staircase - 1960s wooden straight open staircase idea in DC Metro

Close view of the floating staircase with wood treads, glass guardrail, and large stone slab wall.
Staircase - contemporary wooden u-shaped open and glass railing staircase idea in San Francisco

1960s wooden floating open and glass railing staircase photo in Los Angeles

Contemporary Steel staircase with floating metal and walnut treads and slatted railings.
Example of a large trendy wooden floating open staircase design in San Diego

Scott Zimmerman, Floating staircase with walnut treads and glass railing.
Mid-sized trendy wooden straight open staircase photo in Salt Lake City

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Inspiration for a small contemporary spiral open staircase remodel in New York

Trendy wooden u-shaped open and glass railing staircase photo in Salt Lake City

This exterior spiral staircase was fabricated in 1 piece. It has a double top rail, decorative pickets, 4" outer diameter center pole fastened to a concrete caisson. The finish is a copper vein exterior powder coat to be able to withstand the unpredictable Colorado weather.