Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

The Owners of a home that had been consumed by the moving dunes of Lake Michigan wanted a home that would not only stand the test of aesthetic time, but survive the vicissitudes of the environment. With the assistance of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as the consulting civil engineer and the City of Grand Haven Zoning Department, a soil stabilization site plan was developed based on raising the new home’s main floor elevation by almost three feet, implementing erosion studies, screen walls and planting indigenous, drought tolerant xeriscaping. The screen walls, as well as the low profile of the home and the use of sand trapping marrum beachgrass all help to create a wind shadow buffer around the home and reduce blowing sand erosion and accretion. The Owners wanted to minimize the stylistic baggage which consumes most “cottage” residences, and with the Architect created a home with simple lines focused on the view and the natural environment. Sustainable energy requirements on a budget directed the design decisions regarding the SIPs panel insulation, energy systems, roof shading, other insulation systems, lighting and detailing. Easily constructed and linear, the home harkens back to mid century modern pavilions with present day environmental sensitivities and harmony with the site. Photos by John Allegretti

Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in New Orleans

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Reinterpreting the old, the Rim planters mimic traditional Italian rimmed containers. Unlike their predecessor, these self-watering pots are incredibly versatile in design and can be used to complement any style home from Mediterranean to Modern. The double-wall planter helps insulate the roots of your plants when the temperature shifts from cold to hot, preserving the longevity of the plant's life. Created for the first-time gardener or the savvy enthusiast, the TruDrop system feature allows your plants to better survive the outdoors and can go weeks without watering for phenomenal results. The ingeniously designed reservoir in the planter, which reduces watering frequency and avoids over-fertilizing, is an innovative environmental solution for container gardening. This 100% recyclable and food-safe container is resistant to chipping, fading and mildews, resulting in healthier plants and more efficient gardening. The Crescent Garden's TruDrop One self-watering planting pots are available in a great variety of colors, sizes and styles. Using quality materials that are backed by a 10-year warranty, these lightweight planters are known for their durability, designed to withstand extreme weather, and made to last.

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

This small suburban yard was filled by a large swimming pool. The homeowner is extremely sensitive to the sun so she decided to trade out the pool for this intimate garden space. When this client is not traveling, she is hosting visitors, watching friends’ dogs, or hanging out with her grandchildren. Our job was to create an inviting space that is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and kid- and dog-friendly. Using gravel, concrete pavers, and a simple planting plan consisting of Mediterranean-adaptive plants, we created this design to fit the mid-century home. The gravel allows for the absorption of rainwater while providing a space for kids and dog to romp and play. Olive trees help shade and cool the space, providing a cozy area to gather with friends. The minimalist plantings survive on very little irrigation and require little more than an hour or two of puttering in the garden per season to maintain.

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Traditional design elements have survived generations of shifting trends for a reason. This switchback staircase makes that case quietly. Box newels anchor the design with stateliness, while white painted risers and square balusters add definition to the natural white oak treads and handrail. Nothing here competes. Each element makes room for the next. Set against a modern interior, the staircase doesn't feel out of place. It grounds it. A reminder that classic and contemporary don't have to choose sides. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company