New Compagnon!

We are so happy welcome our newest intern Arnaud. He is from Paris and has been working on an Encyclopedia for Les Compagnons du Devoir prior to joining Seattle Stair for advanced training and experience. I have been working on the preparation of his Visa papers for the past few months and am quite pleased in his arrival.
Arnaud will spend the first day or so here in the shop getting his “bench” together and organizing his area of the shop. We then will orient him into an existing project to prepare him for the ultimate fabrication of some very complex wreathed sections of hand railing.
The Compagnon du Devoir is a craftsman's guild based in France that has origins nearly 1000 years old. Since 2003 we have been fortunate to be the only stair maker in North America that is recognized by the Compagnon du Devoir as a stage of professional training and development while these craftsmen are on their journey from apprentice to master. Arnaud is of the highest level of apprenticeship thus far. We look forward to imparting our knowledge and culture while learning from him and his experiences. It is this cross cultural exchange and passion for learning that I find to be a large part of the magic that is Seattle Stair & Design.

David – Seattle Stair & Design

Oh so Fun

This is a "sneak peak" at the beginning of a modern rail project currently in production in our shop.
We were initially engaged to create several charrettes/concepts for this clients recently purchased home. The home has several design challenges in relation to once popular 1980's style plays on scale and space. We came up with several designs that are harmonious with these challenges and one in particular resonated with the client. Once the design intent was focused we refined the concept to production and are currently milling all of these wonderful elements in our shop.

The entire system is rectilinear (without curves) and horizontal in orientation, rather than the traditional vertical layout. We have created a conversation of reveals and steps that are echoed in a wrap-around bookshelf system under the stair. It is all being made with hand selected American Cherry and there are many highlight panels, in the system and the newels, that are made from the Waterfall Bubinga - shown above.
The element of bubinga is like built-in jewelry.
Stay tuned for updates on this fun project.

David - Seattle Stair & Design

In the commercial construction world - Fail is a four letter word.

To the right is a picture of a failed rail-joint (one of many) on a Monumental Stair for a local Client.
We were contracted to supply parts only, as installation was to be done by others.

Often we are called in to review jobs and to offer solutions to other installers, designers and fabricator fails. This can be one of the hardest and most complicated parts of our jobs here at Seattle Stair & Design.
I have so many pictures in this vein and it seems this fountain keeps replenishing itself.
It stresses the importance of having the right talent complete the task at hand.
However, most contractors and homeowners may not know the extent of the risk they are exposing themselves to.
Saving a few hundred or even thousands by having a lesser bidder complete the work exposes a tremendous amount of risk and can cost much more than the savings to fix properly. It is not uncommon for me to see situations that force the client or contractor to pay more than twice the original amount to correct errors that could have been solved right the first time.
I did not even get into the delays this can add to a project.
My very wise and frugal Uncle used to always tell me " a poor man has to buy the best - because he can't afford to but it twice." True words that every contractor and client should consider prior to making risky cost cutting decisions.

The bottom line is this - everyone makes mistakes - it is how you deal with and more importantly - prevent them - that is what sets you apart and adds value.

David - Seattle Stair & Design