Wyoming Grandeur

Wow – I am so exited with an e-mail I just opened. Some time ago we completed a stair for a “reproduction” vintage 100 year old stair for a farmstead in Alta, Wyoming. The scenic setting could not have been grander. Just outside of Jackson Hole this new construction represented a natural farmstead organic development over a 100 year period. Each of the buildings are period based and while there is a little bit of Disney to the design interpretations – it was so well thought out that it all makes sense and creates a magical environment.

Our role was to build a grand stair for what would represent the main house. This stair was to look and feel as if it had been built by craftsman over 100 years ago (and last for 100 more.) We started out with rough-sawn reclaimed black walnut, salvaged from a 150-year old country house in Indiana. All of this rough material was then milled in Seattle into parts that we met out on site. Our team then installed this grand stair to act as a “construction stair” for the remainder of the build. The natural and unnatural abuse this stair endured during the construction process became the patina that now gives such warmth and comfort to the entryway of this home. While the design is somewhat simple the visual impact of the newel and execution of the joinery gives a strong feel of old-world grandeur. We are quite proud to have participated on this wonderful project for such passionate clients.

I have a few more pictures on our website to share if you wish.

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

New and Emerging Materials

12/22/2009
New and Emerging Materials

Here at Seattle Stair & Design we are constantly looking at new materials to incorporate into our language of stair building. One that we have not used – though eager to do so is Panelite.
Panelite is a amazing material. Is utilizes a honeycomb resin and composite structure (bio-mimicry) to achieve a strength and lightness all while providing a very cool visual effect.
As with anything real cool – it is not inexpensive. However, very strong design POP!
Calling all high-tech start-ups – Let me incorporate this into your stair or railing design.

David – Seattle Stair & Design

Barney's New York

12/15/2009
Barney’s New York

Well the Holiday Season is upon us and when shopping downtown I make every excuse possible to tour through Barney’s. In full disclosure we made their stair and it makes me proud and happy to see it surrounded by what I can only describe as some of the greatest seasonal displays in the Pacific Northwest. Their displays always make you think a little and no matter how campy or over-the-top they may initially seem to be – the sum always seems to end up being more than that – it is retail magic!
The rustic and developing patina of the reclaimed pine flooring provides a warm glow and softness to the 12,500 pounds of steel and glass that make up this stair. I am especially fond of the view entering off the street through the cosmetics department and looking up through the store. The stair invites one to approach. This finished view is in strong contrast to the one in my memory at approximately 3:30 am as we lifted the stair sections into position. The space (once a Pottery Barn) was gutted and all that was left was the structural concrete and steel structure in a stage of demolition and re-configuring with exposed twisted re-bar and a heavy dust (unlike any other I have experienced) that coated everything. It looked more like a set for a Heavy Metal music video than one for one of the Nations premier retailers.
Our stair could not be lifted by standard equipment that one would normally use due to the structural limitations of the floor, so we had to use a concert of over a dozen chain hoists connected to substantial structure in the ceiling 40 feet above. It was like the Cirque du Soleil for steel – everything moving into position – directed and executed with extraordinary talent and unfortunately poor lighting.
While we have successfully completed many commercial projects – this one has some of the strongest memories for me.
Happy Holidays,
David Shuler – Sales Manager – Seattle Stair & Design

Winners of Another National Award !!!

We have just received another National Award from a stair builders conference held in Florida.
We are especially honored by this award as it was judged by our peers and other fellow craftsmen.
This years winner is from a project we completed in Maui.
The stair is made of a figured Gum and Wenge and is highlighted with bead-blasted stainless steel elements.
The entire stair was made in our Seattle shop and then shipped to location where it was finish installed by us.

Check out the pictures ...