When you are designing a curved staircase, knowing what NOT to do can be just as important as knowing what TO do. Here are some pitfalls that you will want to avoid. Adding a curved staircase into … [Full story]
The 1939 film Gone With The Wind features four beautiful staircases that have come to define the elegance, grace, and grandeur of interior stair design. The most amazing staircase in the film is without … [Full story]
The Spiral Staircase at the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe New Mexico is truly an Amazing Stair. The stair winds approximately 760 degrees total, more than two full turns, and is made of Spruce; it ascends … [Full story]
The Nathanial Russell House (1808) in historic Charleston, SC features two of the most noted curved staircases in the world. The two curved staircases are "freestanding" (no supporting walls beneath the stairs) … [Full story]
A common question I hear is, "How much does a stair cost?" Both the shape of the stair and the footage of the balustrade will set the price of your stair long before you start making selections for style. … [Full story]
We often say curb appeal is the first thing a prospective home buyer sees. Real Estate professionals say a buyer makes up their mind in the first 3 minutes of walking through your front door. Stairs in the entry can make the difference. … [Full story]
Let's take a look at the use of stone treads overlaying a wooden stair structure. Of all available building materials, nothing presents a timeless feel more than a stone surface. … [Full story]
When you see a curved staircase that appears to have an elegant flow and breathtaking presence, I can guarantee you that didn't happen by chance. The elements of a well designed curved staircase are contained … [Full story]
Sometimes your design calls for an elegant curved stair, but the budget falls short. Here are some … [Full story]
Designing a staircase to be freestanding is a great way to gain useable floor space in your design. … [Full story]
Explore the impact of stair shape on your stair budget. Consider straight, landing, winder, and curved stairs. … [Full story]
Often curved staircases, and occasionally straight stairs, have complicated railing requirements calling for twisting and turning of the rails that cannot be made by bending the rail or with machines. … [Full story]
The highest concentration of traditional full-milled stair shops remains in the Midwest, with Chicago being one of the most concentrated markets. … [Full story]
Designed Stairs was called in to assess and restore a 1874 black walnut curved stair and curved stair rail. Abraham J. Hoffman built the stately River Forest Young Ladies Seminary in River Forest, IL. … [Full story]
The most common confusion within the stair building world is, without a doubt, the spiral versus the … [Full story]
No one designs a curved staircase for the simple purpose of getting from one floor to another; there are other, much more practical ways of getting that done if you don't care what it looks like. … [Full story]
Curved staircases like straight stairs, should be installed after your drywall is primed and before your finished flooring is laid. Curved staircases and rails take a considerable amount of time to build. … [Full story]
A curved stair takes far more floor space than other types of stairs. Ideally you want a large square space to allow for the most gracious and elegant curved stair. You can narrow and tighten up the space, … [Full story]
A volute is that "curly" piece that is at the start of many stair rails. A standard volute shape will have a rail fitting attached to it. … [Full story]
Installing throughout the greater Chicago area; Selling anywhere in the world
Designed Stairs
Showroom (by appointment only), Shop, and Offices
1480 E Sixth Street
Sandwich IL 60548
815-786-7600
