Don't Skip the Staircase: Holiday Decor for Our Favorite Feature

The holidays are in full swing.  Neighborhoods are aglow with seasonal strands of lights and garlands; families and friends convene for decadent feasts; lists are made and checked twice.

In many homes, the staircase will become a catch all for holiday festivities- a coat check for dinner parties; a precious landing pad for eager children as they await the arrival of Santa Claus; a centerpiece for the entry way. 

Transform your staircase into a spectacle with these decorating tips that range from contemporary to classic, effortless to extravagant. 

View the entire collection as well as helpful hints on our Pintrest.

The sweep of fresh garland on the handrail provides a pop of color to the clean, white balusters and dark treads; the paper whites say "holiday" without a trace of kitsch. 

For those dreaming of a tinsel Christmas. 

Unsure of what to do with all of those holiday cards?  Hang them on your handrail for a colorful, personal touch.

Don't forget to view the entire collection as well as helpful hints on our Pintrest.

The Forgotten Option: Stair Parts Packages

The above stair was remodeled with a blend of custom and stock parts.  The handrail, newel, cap, and nosing are all custom stair parts created in our shop.  The iron ballusters are part of our selection of stock parts. 

Throughout my time at Seattle Stair & Design, I have found that the bulk of architects, contractors, and potential clients know us best for our grand, shop built stair systems.  Although the shop built stair is indeed a large focus, it represents only a percentage of our capabilities.  When our craftsmen are not fabricating custom spirals or challenging gravity with hidden joinery or glass treads, our shop becomes a haven for custom millwork and affordable stair parts that lend opportunity to any existing staircase.

Not unlike our grand staircases, the range of styles and materials available is limited only by code and imagination.   Our experienced team of designers, architects and engineers collaborate to provide visually striking options that transform any stair into a statement without losing sight of your remodeling budget.

We offer three tiers of stock part packages—custom, stock, or a blend of the two.  Whether you seek a total overhaul or just a new starter newel or handrail system, we take pleasure in transforming staircases even on the smallest scale.  

Mary Anne Carter

Assistant Director of Marketing

Dave Cooper at Seattle Stair

Seattle Stair & Design Owner Shawn Christman pictured with Dave Cooper of the Stairway Manufacturers' Association

Seattle Stair & Design had the privilege of hosting Dave Cooper of the SMA at the shop today.  We thank Dave for his time and interest in our space. Safe travels!

Olsen Kundig Architects

On September 14^th - Olsen Kundig Architects hosted an AIA Emerging Professional Happy Hour tour at their facility. The presentation offered delightful insight into what makes this firm one on the most sought after small firms in the country. Jim Olsen has been practicing architecture since the 60’s and has strong ties to nature. He has embraced the juxtaposition between the curve and grace of nature and the rectilinear forms of the built world. I loved seeing pictures of his cabin/home in Longbranch, Washington. Tom Kundig is a master fabricator at heart and his design process seems very streamlined and complete, bringing everything together without “extra parts,” exposing the projects elemental form. The magic soup of polarity and shared vision between these two leaders attracts the most amazing talent and clients. During the presentation there was a video on the Shadowbox project. This project defies what most architecture is, being almost equal parts machine and home - walls move, roofs lift off, windows disappear - all of this with the design being in scale and elemental.  I was also fascinated by their new toy – a 3d printer for prototyping parts. Oh boy! What fun we would have with that machine! I look forward to collaborating with them on a project in the future.

- David Shuler

Seattle Stair Tours The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Two years after completing 2,000 feet of curved wooden handrails and 1,000 feet of curved paneling for The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Headquarters, Seattle Stair & Design had the opportunity to tour the space and visit our work.  

As detailed in our previous blogpost and the New York Times article, "In New Office Designs, Room to Roam and to Think," the space weaves ideals of sustainability, mobility and access to daylight with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation mission: the idea that every person, regardless of circumstance, should have the chance to live a healthy, productive life. 

The union of these principals is reflected in every aspect of the campus, and seeing our work play a role in the form and function of the space was truly incredible.  The scope of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's work is tremendous.  Our contribution is only a minuscule detail in the fabric of the philanthropy, but gives us great joy to associate with such an outstanding cause.  

NBBJ, the architecture firm responsible for the design of the space said it best: "The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is in pursuit of some big goals: eradicating polio, cutting childhood deaths in Africa in half and overhauling the U.S. education system. At its best, the team hopes the design of the new campus has given foundation staff and partners a place to work that feels as dignified as the work they are doing." 

Mary Anne Carter

Assistant Director of Marketing 

Seattle Stair Expresses Our Utmost Gratitude

All involved at Seattle Stair & Design were struck with gratitude upon the arrival of an outstanding floral arrangement from one of our clients. Vibrant lilies and birds of paradise perfectly echo the whimsy and radiance of the staircase we designed and crafted for her, while the enclosed note reflects her enthusiasm, satisfaction, and excitement for her staircase. These words outshine the beauty and significance of any flower, illustrating the fulfillment we hope to inspire through our work.

We express our utmost gratitude and appreciation for both this gesture and our fortune to form such rich relationships with our clients.

Mary Anne Carter
Assistant Director of Marketing

Seattle Stair & Design Gets Signed

Since Seattle Stair & Design was founded over thirty years ago, it has had several homes. For the past eleven years, we have occupied a 10,000 square foot studio in SODO. The expansive space has been ideal for our unique trade and provides a home to both our shop and showroom.

The synergy between the bustling shop and eclectic showroom is exceptionally captivating- the rich scent of freshly milled wood fills the space, while the beat of a clattering lathe provides a natural soundtrack.  In effort to expand the warmth and collaboration that lies within Seattle Stair & Design to the exterior, we sought out local artists and craftspeople to design a new sign for the building.

We advertised the opportunity via Craigslist and were met with many talented candidates. Most compelling was the work of Sven Sundbaum of Old Kustom Signs and Graphics, whose mixed media approach to signage captures the spirit of Seattle Stair & Design.

Sundbaum's mixed media approach to our sign incorporates  a hand painted mural,  metal lettering, and three dimensional flourishes.

Front View

Side View