Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Since introducing the first Valor Legend insert model in 1991, we continue to adapt and improve on all aspects of our flagship line. With constant innovation in product design and function, our objective is to exceed the expectations of Valor customers on every level. Easy-to-use, energy saving features position the Valor G3 insert as a leader in efficient, effective zone heating - a true upgrade in heat control, product reliability and overall home comfort. Update your existing living space with a wide selection of stunning fireplace designs in both traditional and contemporary appeal. A diverse collection of fronts, trims and hearth accessories provide endless installation opportunities for your dated, inefficient fireplace. Embodying over 100 years of Valor tradition accompanied by the latest in state-of-the-art technology, the Legend G3 continues to be the industries number one selling radiant gas insert.

Photo by Jim Raycroft The owner of this distinguished Somerville late Victorian wanted not just a new kitchen, but a more efficient and healthier house overall. The challenge wasn’t just to capture the light and view towards the Boston skyline; we also needed to improve the space plan and work flow. Overlaid on those goals, we needed to respect the carefully maintained Victorian character of the rest of the home and bring that sensibility back into the kitchen space. OPENING THE SPACE We removed the wall that isolated the sink space to create one unified kitchen area. We relocated the sink to a center island so that we could replace the small window with a large sliding glass door out onto the deck and the view of the skyline. REPURPOSING MATERIALS We salvaged and re-used the honey-colored southern yellow pine wainscoting; we matched and extended it to a window seat and laundry room door to create continuity and tie those new elements to the old. The cabinets and counters have traditional styling in light colors to reflect the light from the new sliding doors deep into the space. More light from the rear utility stairs is brought into the space by means of a frosted glass door. IMPROVING EFFICIENCY More prosaically, but just as important to the client and the project team, we upgraded the insulation and air-sealing throughout the house to improve the home’s comfort and efficiency.

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Some staircases are installed. This one was built, hand-welded, painted on site, and engineered from the ground up for the space. This fully custom U-shaped staircase features white oak treads, white painted risers, and freestanding stringers. The forged iron railing was hand-welded and finished entirely on location, with a continuous handrail running throughout and solid balusters to match. Every component was fabricated in place, a process that reflects what fully custom actually means. A cascading pendant chandelier, a beautiful painting, and wainscoting detail on the walls round out a space where the staircase is clearly the architectural centerpiece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company