InStyle Stairs Design Inspiration

OUR STAIRCASE

DESIGN INSPIRATIONS

SUMMER 2021

CUT STRING WITH PIN TOP RAIL

THE STORY

The owners of this new house were wanting an
impact statement from the staircase that was
going to feature in the design of their new home.

When you open the front door and step across
the threshold, your eyes are drawn to the entry
foyer which features a full wall height mural which
is directly opposite a very unique-looking
staircase.

Here the subtlety of combining Victorian Ash
Timber with Blade style balusters powder-coated
in a Gunmetal grey. This is a statement of the
design intent this home delivers on.

Gone are the days of old-fashioned turned posts,
ugly handrails and stairs covered in a hideous
techni-coloured floral carpet. Grandma would be
speechless at how today’s generation was going
about building their new homes. You can almost
hear her saying... ”We certainly didn’t do things
like that in my day.”

This is a home hinting at an element of
playfulness, a space that is exciting to explore. It’s
calling for your attention.

Visually this staircase is stunning. Victorian Ash
treads with Mitred Risers creating the effect of
floating treads. A Cut Stringer Staircase with
Handrails that flow effortlessly into the Vertical
Posts.

Light is infused into the stairwell by the use of
blade style balusters. This creates a picture of
beauty from any angle.

Nothing goes to waste in this thoughtfully
designed home. We even made good use of the
under stair cavity and created additional home
storage.

This staircase is so inviting it will be an effortless
walk between the floors of this exciting new
home. Will your house be next?

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

CANTILEVER

DESIGN FLAIR

Display Home Builders often want to 'show off'
their latest designs and innovative thinking.

Elysium Homes came to us wanting to make a
statement. They wanted something 'different' from
every other Display Home Builder - something that
stood out.

This stairway featured a number of Architectural
design elements that showcased what could be
done to create an open feel - in a restricted space.

In their minds, Elysium wanted to capture the use
of both natural light and concealed stairway
lighting.

They envisaged a design that would naturally draw
anyone's attention the minute they looked in the
direction of the stairs.

Daytime, or in the dark of night, this is a stairway
that you can confidently walk up, or down as the
LED lights subtly light up each step No more
stumbling in the dark and ending up in a heap at
the bottom of the stairs.

The lower flight features Victorian Ash cantilevered
treads while also achieving some under stair
storage.

The upper flight features a Closed Riser Design
which provided the builder with an opportunity to
cover the underside in plasterboard. This kept the
stairwell light with a sense of openness.

We successfully combined a mix of Victorian Ash,
Glass Panels secured with Matt Black Fittings, and
black handrail brackets to compliment the
Victorian Ash vertical wall.

Viewed from any angle these stairs invite you to
walk all over them as you go from one level to the
next.

What's your staircase challenge?

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CONCEALED STRINGER OPEN RISE

TIMELESS

A House by the Seaside (tick) - Harsh Conditions
(tick) - Magical views (tick) - design brief that
included hardwood timber (tick).

Here was a Dream Home Project where the
design had to be worked through and decided
on before the roof even went on. Now that's
different.

The signature statement in this stairwell -
maximises the natural light that also
compliments the polished concrete floors.

This home has been built with durability in mind
to withstand the harsh elements of seaside
living - these stairs not only meet that
requirement - they are of a timeless design.

An unseen feature of these stairs is the
concealed steel stringers which are flush
mounted in the concrete, before the
plasterboard wall covering was fixed in place.

Laminated Australian Blackbutt hardwood
treads are 70mm (2.7 inches) thick, and are
neatly set out to pick up the vertical Blackbutt
wall elements - which spans three (3) levels,
starting in the basement.

Why use Blackbutt timber? It gets its name from
the appearance of the tree after a bush fire has
scorched its trunk. The heartwood ranges in
colour from golden yellow to pale brown.
Occasionally a slight pinkish tinge might be
present in the wood.

Picture this setting. You arrive home after a day
at work. You park your car in the 6-car space
basement garage, and as the car door goes thud
- you have one more decision to make...

Do I take the lift, or do I want to fill my senses
with a gentle walk up my magnificent hardwood
timber staircase?

Want to share your dreams with us?

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HAMPTON STYLE 1

EXCITEMENT

Step inside this home and your senses are
greeted with a timeless mix of beach-inspired
decor. Timber furniture blends to compliment
the tones of blues and greens which have been
used throughout this home.

The owners were looking for a subtle twist on a
Hamptons-inspired theme and were unsure
how they might achieve what their home might
look like when completed.

Showcasing a Grand Entrance Foyer with
Coffered Ceilings, and Hampton style
Balustrades - this is a home that simply assails
the senses - leaving you wondering what comes
next.

Moving away from the neutral tones of Victorian
Ash staircase treads (normally finished with a
clear coating), we encouraged our clients to try a
Japanese Black stain as a replacement finish.

The outcome is stunning.

Your climb to the upper floor starts with a
Boxed Newel Post, which immediately sets a
tone of 'Quality' before you have taken your first
step up these magnificent stairs. You have
committed yourself to enjoying some of the
finer things in life that a home can offer.

Stepping onto the large polished treads, you
notice the recessed panel detail in the Newel
Posts, which are complemented with Victorian
Ash Post Caps. This has the effect of tying the
treads to the handrails.

Sometimes in our world, you experience some
great relationships - where collaboration is the
unspoken driving force. This home is an
outcome from Architects, Owners, and Builders,
combining their talents to create something
quite extraordinary.

We would like to see if our values align with
yours - why don't you consider giving us a call?

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

HAMPTON STYLE 2

ELEGANCE

An entrance foyer to end all foyers.

This is not a chic hotel in a major city - it's a new
home in an estate filled with other high-quality
homes in Sydney Australia.

Moving your home from one great city to another
is never easy. Challenges come in many shapes
and sizes, and we're not talking just about your
packing boxes.

The challenge in this new home was to create a
Hampton's look and feel not seen before in one of
the world's greatest cities.

Added to this intriguing mix, was an architect
based in Melbourne with a design brief by his
clients that was very specific about being true to
the Hampton style.

We have said it before, and we'll say it many times
over, looking at the stair space at the framing stage
and before the roof goes on, is so important to
ensure the space is used well and brings out all the
design elements.

Featuring Victorian Ash treads finished with a Dark
Walnut stain, the staircase subtly compliments the
herring-bone flooring used extensively in the
entrance and hallways.

We added in a 'V' jointed lining board with a dado
capping that helps the transition and feel as you
move between the floors.

Creating an open void above the family area on the
ground floor, magnified the feeling of space and
light which is often not easily achieved in homes
where space is at a premium.

Trimming the area around that void with the same
handrail detail used on the stairs completes a
stunning visual statement from the drapes used to
soften the windows used over the two levels.

We enjoy nothing more than working with our
clients and being creative around their concepts.

Care to share your dreams with us?

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

PADDINGTON

BREATHTAKING

Terraced housing was introduced to Australia in
the 19th century. But for this Terrace Home
whilst retaining the classic façade, the internal
bones of this classic Sydney home were to be
completely remodelled.

Imagine meeting your client at the front of this
terrace home, the front door creaks open and
all you can see is an old dilapidated staircase in
a Classic terraced home. This house just
screamed for a ‘Do not Enter’ sign to be nailed to
the front door.

The owners set us a clear and challenging brief.

When natural light is limited in a stairwell, the
only way to approach creating a new staircase is
clear - ‘Open Risers’.

The scope for this iconic Terrace House
renovation was straightforward. A full external
restoration and a total modernization of the
interior.

One of the best ways to modernize a home such
as this is to gain as much natural light as
possible in the confines of a restricted space in a
Terrace House. A staircase spanning 3 levels
creates an opportunity to draw on the filtering
effect of light cascading down through the
levels.

Using a Full Victorian Ash staircase and
Balustrade with an applied clear finish would
help draw on and multiply the effect of the
natural light available.

Victorian Ash cut stringers combine with a
beautifully restored Sandstock brick wall and
not only complement one another but they
create a sense of warmth.

Now, as soon as you open the front door, there
is a gentle flow of air between the door and the
fully restored sash windows seen straight
through the staircase.

Working with a client and builder open to fresh
ideas made this assignment particularly
rewarding.

Are you ready to share your restoration project
with us?

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PINE - MDF (MEDIUM DENSITY FIBREBOARD)

PROJECT BUILD

Mass production of a Staircase and Balustrade for
a brand new home is something we never take for
granted.

We appreciate that your budget may not allow you
to use some of Australia's beautiful hardwoods
when designing your new home with your Project
Builder.

Whether we are using MDF, Pine, or hardwood our
stairs are all produced using CNC machinery,
which allows us to create stairs that give the home
builders we serve, the confidence of knowing that
the stairs we supply are constructed to the highest
standards possible.

Who on this planet wants to do a job twice, or be
continually called back to a squeaky stair. That will
only annoy the heck out of you if you happen to
want to go downstairs at night for a glass of milk!

Creaking stairs in the dead of night always sound
100 times worse than it actually is - but a squeaky
stair is a squeaky stair - no thank you!

The accuracy of our machining, including our
carpet grade stairs, is done to such a high
tolerance, that you could just as easily apply a
clear finish to them.

Carpet can be changed when are ready to refresh
your interior decor, and using colour in this space
gives you so many options elsewhere.

Another often unknown fact is that using structural
load-bearing stair stringers can help eliminate the
need for load-bearing posts or panels.

Where we do use posts on a staircase, these are
also manufactured on the CNC, so that the
accuracy and fit of these posts avoid those loose
posts you find in some new homes - that's
something we cannot stand!

We are proud to be associated with homes
regardless of the build cost. You are creating
something new and special for your family, let us
help you build that quality and confidence you
need in your new home.

We are only a phone call away.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

STEEL MONO - CAESAR STONE

3-D TO MAGIC

Even with a 3-D concept drawing it can be hard to
visualise what the real thing might look like once
it's been crafted and installed.

We thrive on letting our creative side loose.

This is a story about having free rein to express
our skillset and imagination to create one of the
more spectacular staircases we've done to date.

Day one on a new building site can be a little
daunting, to say the least. The sun is directly
overhead, the timber framing is up waiting for the
roof to be installed.

There we were trying to visualise something not
seen before...the creative juices are slowly starting
to simmer. It was easy to tell that this was going to
be a home with some serious wow factor and not
just in the staircase void.

This home is creativity expressed at its best.

Using a blend of natural materials can be
intoxicating. For this home, we determined that a
mix of Victorian Ash Timber, Steel, Glass, and
Manmade Stone would make a statement in terms
of visual appeal.

Featuring Riversand Coloured Powder Coated Steel
Mono Stringers, 70mm Victorian Ash Treads,
12mm Toughened Glass Frameless Glass Panels, a
Caesar Stone Feature Tread, and Non-Slip Nosings
in Clear Anodised Aluminium and Black
Carborundum inserts - this is where Magic is
brewed.

Wait...we're not finished just yet. How can a job
look so fantastic on entry-step going up to another
level?

Between the flights of stairs, and acting as the
balustrade, there is a fitted Victorian Ash Feature
wall stretching from the Ground Floor to the
Ceiling on the upper level. This is one huge
rewarding experience.

This is a staircase to be admired, touched, and just
enjoyed for its natural beauty.

Are you ready to invite us to work with you on your
next home project?

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

STEEL MONO 2

AGELESS

This staircase will look as fresh in the future as it
does today.

With a slightly industrial look, this staircase feels
right at home in this modern setting. The Matt
Black Steel Mono Stringer was sandblasted and
then powder coated.

Sandblasting removes any unwanted ‘scale’ on
the steel and provides a base to achieve a
flawless paint finish. The gauge (thickness) of
the steel should never ever be compromised by
a cheaper alternative.

Drawing from our commercial staircase
experience we designed in concealed welding,
which is one of the little things that separate us
from other staircase manufacturers. We care.

Using Victorian Ash treads coated with a clear
non-slip complying finish seems to bring them
to life all of their own. Combining these with
custom cut and toughed quality glass panels
adds a little of the wow factor.

Matt Black Patch fitting and top channels match
the black powder-coated Mono Stringer and tie
all of the elements nicely together.

Walking down a staircase at night, with the lights
off, can be a treacherous journey. We solved this
problem by using concealed handrails with LED
inserts, discretely lighting the path to make
night-time trips safer.

Night or day this is a relaxing approach.

For those technically inclined, there is an option
to fit motion detection to the LED lights to
activate as you enter the stair zone.

Using motion detected light activation might put
an end to your sneaking off at night to the fridge
for that midnight snack…busted !!

We gain a lot of satisfaction from helping you
turn your concept drawings into everyday
reality.

How about we both put our minds to your new
home project?

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

STEEL MONO 3

RAINBOWS

A staircase to stir the senses.

Installed in a large, three-story home and
designed to withstand the punishment that only
a family with teenagers can deliver.

Our goal was to come up with a Staircase design
to co-join the levels of this house while keeping
the family easily accessible and able to
communicate.

The architectural briefing said this family wanted
to have it all. "Give it 'The Lux Effect’."

A modern house requires modern interiors and
our Staircase and Balustrade hits the mark.

The Mono Stair open riser design lets light,
sound, and smell travel through out the house,
making it easy to entice teenagers to leave their
bedrooms for dinner.

Featuring a Matt Black Steel Mono Stringer with
the ever popular Victorian Ash 70mm Treads
gives it substance and stance. Our custom
manufactured non-slip nosing's provide
security. The glass balustrade panels allow
viewing from any angle.

We love the Victorian Ash Handrails mounted to
the Glass panels which tie in with the treads and
really make this staircase pop.

Now with the parents away, the mice will play.
(Or in this case…teenagers). Those gorgeous
Victorian Ash Treads also hide a little surprise -
concealed in the staircase is LED Lighting that
can be controlled from an iPhone.

From a dimmed warm LED Light (whilst Mum
and Dad are home) to strobing colours of the
Rainbow that can be speed up or slowed down
to suit the mood - this home has a dual
personality - Sanctuary one minute, Party House
the next.

With a house like this, the big question for this
family might be "will they ever leave home?"

What's next for you?

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TIMBER MONO - VERTICAL STEEL

STAIRS WITH
SPINE

Gone are the days of hiding a staircase in the
corner.

Today staircases are being brought to life and
taking a prominent and prideful place in the
home design.

This home was an opportunity to shine a light
on a custom design for the owner and also a
chance for one of our creative Directors, to get
back on the tools with some sharp chisels and
hands that love the feel of freshly cut Australian
hardwood.

We have crafted a staircase with viewing
pleasure from every angle. Here is a
combination of mitered risers with closed stair
treads.

For the handrail we fixed in place, Victorian Ash
with a Square Pencil profile mounted on Matt
Black brackets. Keeping with the Matt Black
theme wall lights were added create an
interesting array of shadow effects to the lower
level at night.

Cantilevered treads offer a 'floating effect' to the
staircase which is also supported by Powder
Coated vertical feature screen. There's nothing
that gives this staircase that 'closed-in feeling'
you witness in so many homes today.

We know that it can be challenging to visualise
what a staircase will look like when it is just a set
of black lines on a new home floor plan that you
are deciding on.

We can paint a picture of what is possible when
you reach the framing stage of your new home,
or renovation project.

Our aim is to ensure that whatever we craft for
you, represents value for hard earned money,
whatever your budget might be.

We don't and won't take any shortcuts.

Ready to have a conversation with us?

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT