With all the rage over contemporary style in today’s market, here's a reminder of how a Traditional Staircase can be equally as clean and beautiful. We installed this staircase and railing in a home overlooking the state capital building in downtown Salt Lake City. Mahogany handrails with painted balusters set 1-1/2" apart to give the guardrail an equal positive/negative feel. An upper horizontal painted line adds interest, especially in the curved railing. In addition 6" crystal spheres were attached atop of each of the main newels. And to finish it off, we installed a light inside so that when turned on, light emanates from the frosted glass windows in the top of the newel and up through the crystal ball giving off a soft glow. bishopwoodcraft.com

One doesn’t often think of an industrial design for a staircase in a residential setting. However, as illustrated by this staircase that we worked on in Park City, UT, an industrial design can result in a stunning statement centerpiece. Exposed bolt heads and fasteners are a key aspect of an Industrial look, whereas the fasteners would usually be hidden in a more contemporary or traditional design. Each stringer was made of two steel C-channels bolted together and then finished in an aged patina. Atop the stringers are white oak block treads, a wire mesh panel guardrail with an aged patina finish, and a white oak handrail. Magnificent to say the least!

One doesn’t often think of an industrial design for a staircase in a residential setting. However, as illustrated by this staircase that we worked on in Park City, UT, an industrial design can result in a stunning statement centerpiece. Exposed bolt heads and fasteners are a key aspect of an Industrial look, whereas the fasteners would usually be hidden in a more contemporary or traditional design. Each stringer was made of two steel C-channels bolted together and then finished in an aged patina. Atop the stringers are white oak block treads, a wire mesh panel guardrail with an aged patina finish, and a white oak handrail. Magnificent to say the least!

Check out this beauty that we worked on in the Glenwild Golf Club in Park City, Utah! We collaborated with two of the best designers in the industry on this project, Michael Upwall and Leslie Schofield, and every detail was thought through and refined. We built three gorgeous interior staircases, a main entry stair, a back stair near the master suite, and a basement stair, all of which are pictured here. Using African Mahogany and gun blue’d steel, each curve was hand bent and hand carved. We even ensured that the ceiling edge on the lower level was stepped and scalloped to mirror the underside of the bowed stair treads. In addition to these beauties, we also worked on the exterior guardrails. All the exterior steel received a powder coat finish and the handrail was designed to be the mirror opposite of the interior, in that the wood and steel were switched. So great to work with great people. We love what we do!

This beautiful contemporary ski home is located in the downtown area of Old Town Park City, Utah. The ½” plate stringer was laser cut to be stepped and then given a patina finish. We then added White Oak block treads in an open riser design. The horizontal flat bar guardrail with its simple, clean, geometric lines give this staircase an urban feel consistent with the design of the home. All in all, this staircase makes a stunning statement.

We love to be creative and this project in Park City, Utah encompasses that quality! While this stair layout is typical, the guardrail and newel posts are anything but. The guardrail infill is made up of individual baluster grids, milled from Clear Alder. The handrail is steel and the custom newel posts are a combination of both Alder and steel. Each newel post is actually five posts in one. Starting with the 5 smaller vertical Alder posts we then mortised steel square bar horizontals between them. The base and caps are steel, in between which the smaller posts were sandwiched. After the steel base was bolted down to the floor the parts were assembled like a puzzle with a length of all-thread passing up through the base, center post, and cap to cinch the whole assembly together. It makes for one strong post! The skirts, risers, and aprons are Knotty Alder with solid White Oak treads, bull-nosed shoe plate and cove. All the steel components received a powder-coat finish.

We collaborated on this project with Calute Homes and Linda Slatter Design in a home in Holladay, Utah. These beautiful Traditional style staircases and railings feature all custom paint grade turned balusters and newel posts. The treads are plain sawn White Oak while the handrails are a Ribbon Grain Sapele. The project was unique because we used 180-degree carved fittings on the Back Stair in place of newels in order to keep the handrail seamlessly flowing from one flight to the next. Machined steel balusters were placed in strategic locations to add additional strength and stiffness to the structure. All proving that traditional is anything but boring!

Bishop Woodcraft specializes in custom staircraft. We love to create unique stairs for unique individuals. This distinctive stair in Park City, UT consists of Rustic White Oak treads, stone tile risers, and a 6" thick bent stringer in Alder (that’s 24 layers!) which we eased and softened through 5 pitch changes. The steel guardrail was the owner’s own design and includes a gun-blue patina finish.

We love to be creative and this project in Park City, Utah encompasses that quality! While this stair layout is typical, the guardrail and newel posts are anything but. The guardrail infill is made up of individual baluster grids, milled from Clear Alder. The handrail is steel and the custom newel posts are a combination of both Alder and steel. Each newel post is actually five posts in one. Starting with the 5 smaller vertical Alder posts we then mortised steel square bar horizontals between them. The base and caps are steel, in between which the smaller posts were sandwiched. After the steel base was bolted down to the floor the parts were assembled like a puzzle with a length of all-thread passing up through the base, center post, and cap to cinch the whole assembly together. It makes for one strong post! The skirts, risers, and aprons are Knotty Alder with solid White Oak treads, bull-nosed shoe plate and cove. All the steel components received a powder-coat finish.

We really enjoyed building this unique traditional style staircase in a beautiful home in Park City, UT. The three stacked freestanding staircases wrap around a glass elevator. The stair is unique in that the owner wanted the outside stringer to follow the octagon shape of the wall while having the inside stringer circular. The stair consists of Alder stringers and curbing, Hickory treads, and a custom Alder handrail profile. The open risers allow more light to permeate the staircase and the curvature of the treads makes the stairs feel as if they flow seamlessly downward around the elevator. Forged metal balusters with a clear satin finish make up the guardrail infill, and for a little extra flair we included several Tuscan panels. Overall, the wood and iron are a classic combination and give a distinguished look.

We love to be creative and this project in Park City, Utah encompasses that quality! While this stair layout is typical, the guardrail and newel posts are anything but. The guardrail infill is made up of individual baluster grids, milled from Clear Alder. The handrail is steel and the custom newel posts are a combination of both Alder and steel. Each newel post is actually five posts in one. Starting with the 5 smaller vertical Alder posts we then mortised steel square bar horizontals between them. The base and caps are steel, in between which the smaller posts were sandwiched. After the steel base was bolted down to the floor the parts were assembled like a puzzle with a length of all-thread passing up through the base, center post, and cap to cinch the whole assembly together. It makes for one strong post! The skirts, risers, and aprons are Knotty Alder with solid White Oak treads, bull-nosed shoe plate and cove. All the steel components received a powder-coat finish.

Check out this beauty that we worked on in the Glenwild Golf Club in Park City, Utah! We collaborated with two of the best designers in the industry on this project, Michael Upwall and Leslie Schofield, and every detail was thought through and refined. We built three gorgeous interior staircases, a main entry stair, a back stair near the master suite, and a basement stair, all of which are pictured here. Using African Mahogany and gun blue’d steel, each curve was hand bent and hand carved. We even ensured that the ceiling edge on the lower level was stepped and scalloped to mirror the underside of the bowed stair treads. In addition to these beauties, we also worked on the exterior guardrails. All the exterior steel received a powder coat finish and the handrail was designed to be the mirror opposite of the interior, in that the wood and steel were switched. So great to work with great people. We love what we do!

Don't have the room for the true "Circular" freestanding staircase you've been dreaming about? Maybe an Ellipse is what you need to put gorgeous lines in a tight space. This African Mahogany beauty found its home in Bountiful, Utah. The hand forged balusters from Italy were supplied by our good friends at House of Forgings. Where possible we try to avoid pitch changes which, while you can soften them with a nice carved fitting, cause a kink in the handrail and stringer. We love things to just flow. This last picture shows our design in which we ensured each of the maroon lines (inside stringer, walk line, & outside stringer) were divided in equal "run" segments. This results in no kinks and produces another wonderful side effect of bowing treads which as they descend down evolve from concave to convex and give the staircase a very compelling and organic feel.

Glass railings are sleek and elegant and bring an upscale look to any design while also providing more light and openness to the area. They can be a beautiful complement to any style staircase. This stunning staircase is a Mountain Contemporary style, with an Industrial touch, in that the bolt heads and rivets are exposed in some places. 1/2" Low Iron glass panels were mounted between the posts with custom designed and custom machined square glass clamps. The freestanding open rise stairs are on 1/2" x 12" plate steel stringers. The block treads were made from actual European White Oak lumber that was imported from Europe and then wire brushed to accentuate the beautiful grain. All the steel, including the handrail, received a patina and bee's wax finish. This project was completed in White Pine, Park City, Utah, in a spectacular home constructed by Midway Construction, one of the best home builders out there!

We love to be creative and this project in Park City, Utah encompasses that quality! While this stair layout is typical, the guardrail and newel posts are anything but. The guardrail infill is made up of individual baluster grids, milled from Clear Alder. The handrail is steel and the custom newel posts are a combination of both Alder and steel. Each newel post is actually five posts in one. Starting with the 5 smaller vertical Alder posts we then mortised steel square bar horizontals between them. The base and caps are steel, in between which the smaller posts were sandwiched. After the steel base was bolted down to the floor the parts were assembled like a puzzle with a length of all-thread passing up through the base, center post, and cap to cinch the whole assembly together. It makes for one strong post! The skirts, risers, and aprons are Knotty Alder with solid White Oak treads, bull-nosed shoe plate and cove. All the steel components received a powder-coat finish.

Don't have the room for the true "Circular" freestanding staircase you've been dreaming about? Maybe an Ellipse is what you need to put gorgeous lines in a tight space. This African Mahogany beauty found its home in Bountiful, Utah. The hand forged balusters from Italy were supplied by our good friends at House of Forgings. Where possible we try to avoid pitch changes which, while you can soften them with a nice carved fitting, cause a kink in the handrail and stringer. We love things to just flow. This last picture shows our design in which we ensured each of the maroon lines (inside stringer, walk line, & outside stringer) were divided in equal "run" segments. This results in no kinks and produces another wonderful side effect of bowing treads which as they descend down evolve from concave to convex and give the staircase a very compelling and organic feel.

With all the rage over contemporary style in today’s market, here's a reminder of how a Traditional Staircase can be equally as clean and beautiful. We installed this staircase and railing in a home overlooking the state capital building in downtown Salt Lake City. Mahogany handrails with painted balusters set 1-1/2" apart to give the guardrail an equal positive/negative feel. An upper horizontal painted line adds interest, especially in the curved railing. In addition 6" crystal spheres were attached atop of each of the main newels. And to finish it off, we installed a light inside so that when turned on, light emanates from the frosted glass windows in the top of the newel and up through the crystal ball giving off a soft glow. bishopwoodcraft.com

Despite the trend toward contemporary, Traditional style staircases continue to be very popular in today’s custom designed homes. While the main material in a traditional staircase is often wood, these classic designs can range from very simple to elaborate. This traditional freestanding circular staircase includes a combination of stained and painted wood resulting in an appealing and elegant design. Despite the contrast in tones, the wood still conveys a sense of warmth and an inviting atmosphere. This stair includes paint grade skirts & risers, quarter sawn white oak treads, custom turned newel posts, and a bent white oak handrail.

Glass railings add class and sophistication to any staircase. The design we installed in this home, located in Deercrest, Park City, UT added a contemporary touch to their straight stairs with White Oak treads and risers, gun blued steel posts and railing, low iron glass panels, and a darkly stained wood handrail. The first stair is a closed framed in design while their second staircase sits on a mono-stringer with open rises. While the stair structure is different, both staircases maintain the same overall contemporary design and feel. Simple, clean, sophisticated, and perfect!