Stair case design dilemmas

3 years ago

So we are at the final phase of the project and we have made a crazy decision to replace our stair cases. With budget now going past the contingency phase, we are not able to go for a hard wood and have instead ordered a pine one.

The style we have gone for is more of a modern luxury style in the rest of the house.

The dilemma I have is I like the minimal look of wood and glass, but I am not sure I can achieve that look with pine as it seems it’s oak that goes with glass?

At the same time I think just painting it all will not give the wow factor I want to achieve as it’s the first thing you see when you enter the house.

The flooring in the downstairs lannding is a herringbone grey oak (see pic attached) and we plan on having carpet on the stairs (maybe a runner style). The internal doors (not sure if they need to match the stairs or not) are a light grey/oak.

Any suggestions?

Comments (19)

Daisy England
3 years ago
You could paint the risers at the sides white to keep costs down and then have an oak handrail and oak newel post. Then add the glass either in longer lengths or individual spindles (thinner pieces). Don’t leave it pine coloured though.
pmasmith3
3 years ago
I love your existing mid century style staircase - it’s very stylish.
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Richard L
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
If you are compromising on what you really want - is there an option to leave as is/re-paint/decorate and do the stairs project later?

Striped carpet all the way :)
Carolina
3 years ago
Why are you changing the stairs? I really like them. Very stylish indeed. I'd paint the wood, keep the stylish railings.
Vicky Patel
Original Author
3 years ago
Need to change the steps themselves as they are starting to give way and have splits in.

Someone just recommended I buy oak hand rails and newel posts and clad the strings with oak, that way I can achieve the glass look.

Has anyone any advise on that approach?
Richard L
3 years ago
You don't like your 60s mock Mediterranean railings?

They're really cool - esp. if there are more on Juliet balconies outside!
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
I love your current staircase, can't you fix the treads?
E D
3 years ago
Another vote for preserving your staircase.

Both the railings and the wood are oozing character.
Vicky Patel
Original Author
3 years ago
Unfortunately not guys, the stairs cannot be repaired according to our chippy and the new staircase has already been ordered.

So no votes for me having oak newels and glass with oak cladding on the string?
C D
3 years ago
Whaou your current staircase is lovely! So stylish and different. Very unique.
I do realise it is not what you want to hear :) but honestly, maybe consider keeping the railing, rather than going for glass? It give so much more characters to a house vs all modern staircase....

If new and glass it is, then I agree that pin+glass would not work. Maybe stain it/paint to match your doors, so you have an harmonious feel?
I think it may look nicer and more coordinated than with the oak cladding.
The cladding is unlikely to match exactly your floor too so I would worry that it would clash.

If your are not considering keeping your current railing, please do consider selling/donating them (EBay or Freecycle) as they are too lovely to be going to the tip ;)
Sonia
3 years ago
Hi, my friend had a glass and oak staircase installed and it does look smart. As your budget is tight, I wonder whether using the pine posts and handrail and painting them, say charcoal grey, will do the job? Or any colour you wish. It looks very smart and does have the wow factor. I’m having trouble uploading pictures, so I’ll do those separately to show you what I mean!
Sonia
3 years ago
Ideas
Vicky Patel
Original Author
3 years ago
I really like that last one with the lighter tone which seems very similar to my doors, is that really painted because it looks like wood still.
Jules Mc
3 years ago
Are you SURE you want glass?? All that extra cleaning 😭
If keeping the original ironwork is out (I like it too but I don't have to live with it!) would you not consider squared spindles. They look contemporary and could be stained/lime washed or painted any colour. Painted might be better though rather than introducing another wood against your flooring and doors.
Vicky Patel
Original Author
3 years ago
I know tell me about it, will get the kids to wear glove in the house 😂

I did consider square chamfered spindles and was thinking maybe painting the whole stair case one colour (a very light grey) to match the door colour, but then was worried to much grey will becoming over bearing. White is always a safe bet, but am worried it will come out boring.
Jules Mc
3 years ago
Gloves? I'd be putting them in hazmat suits 😂
I do like the last picture of Sonia's though it looks really smart. But also like the one below from Pinterest. Def not boring and I think has a wow, factor element the, way it's been designed
Daisy England
3 years ago
Yes to oak handrail and cladding strings and then glass. That’s what most people do. That’s what I have. We laminated the stair strings, dispensed with the original newel and swapped it to an oak one, added an oak handrail and then I had glass spindles as opposed to a full width piece of glass. I did not have the chrome holders which some people like.

Keeping the glass clean is easy.
tamp75
3 years ago
I quite like white painted stairs with glass - there are lots of pictures online. Some completely white and some with oak handrails or newel posts.
Kerry Bains
3 years ago
Try stairbox.com, they have some great options.

Stair case design dilemmas

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Daisy England

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