The lighthouse newel for this project was similar to a newel that we made for a customer in North Carolina. This particular stairway went to a customer in South Florida. The architect wanted to match the balusters to the newel so we created a simple taper with matching beads top and bottom.
The wood paneling on the walls is salvaged heart pine as well as the stair treads. The stair handrail, however, is mahogany. We turned the balusters and newels from poplar.
The challenge for the installer was to “cope” the handrail fitting unto the radiused newel (not shown). Most handrails attach into a “flat” on the newel or over the top in the case of an over the post newel. This one, however, attached to the round part of the newel.
Other images of the balusters and newels can be seen here: Lighthouse newels and balusters
Tags: architectural design, architecture, decorating, interior design, stair parts, wood balusters, wood turning
These marching newels and balusters went to a home in Key West, FL. Because Key West is a coastal city, the architect wanted to use a maritime design for the stairway. We had designed a lighthouse newel once before for a customer in NC and turned this one in a similar pattern. The balusters were designed to pick up the same lines as the newel. The handrail and fittings are in mahogany. This should make for a very fine staircase.
By the way, the large newel measures 9 inches wide by four foot 10 inches. The smaller newels are 4 3/4″ and 5 1/2″ wide.
Tags: architectural design, architecture, interior design, stair parts, wood balusters
These 4 inch wide rope moldings were made for a customer in CA. The images are taken of the three footer and the eight footer. There was also a 6 footer and 4 footer. The longer molding was made in poplar to be painted. The shorter piece was from alder. To make these the two halves were glued with news paper between. After the pieces were turned and roped one simply has to use a hammer and chisel to split them with little trouble. Presumably these will be used to apply to cabinet fronts. Should look great.
Tags: architectural design, commercial interior design, home improvement, interior design, wood turning
Pictured above are four barley twisted table legs turned for a customer in Florida. They measure 3 1/2″ wide and 30 inches high. Normally table legs are made 29 inches in high to produce a 30 inch overall high with the table top thickness of one inch. But my customer needed the extra inch to make a wider apron (the horizontal member that connects the legs and supports the table top).
For a table with a 30 inch height normally you would not have less than 24 inches from the apron to the floor for knee space though most would probably consider 24 inches a tight squeeze.
Tags: architectural design, commercial interior design, decorating, home decor, home interior design, interior design, wood turning
One of the realities about the footprint of any staircase design is that it takes up a lot of space. One of the solutions to this reality is to incorporate usable storage beneath the stairs. The Diylife.com has an article on making this possible. The image they they have used is reason enough to go there to read the article. One of the first projects I ever worked on was to add a drawer system into the space under a stairway. You’ll find some practical ways to do this yourself or hire someone else to do it here: Stair Storage
If you are really into stair design and stair ideas like I am you will get a “fix” on your addition at pushpullbar.com. This site is about architecture and design but has quite a huge number of posts related to stairs. Most of the stair posts, I should add, are “modern” in style and will turn traditionalist off. But even traditionalist should come away with a few clever ideas that will work into the traditionalist mind set. You can see their site here: Pushpullbar.com
Tags: interior design
Hooked on Houses has a posted an interesting set of stairway possibilities. These “possibilities” are not for the faint of heart but may give you some creative ides on finishing your staircase. The finishing ideas are not ,in fact, painted but peel and stick paper that can be easily removed and changed to a different pattern. You can view the images at their blog and the peel and stick material at Sticviews.com
Tags: interior design
In my search for some of the better interior design blogs (yes, I love to read what others are saying) on the internet I came across Padstyle.com. They have compiled their list of the 25 of the best interior design and furniture blogs out there. I was familiar with Freshome.com, Desiretoinspire.com and Decore8.com but had not ever visited the others. I you have an interest in design trends, design ideas, where to buy or just inspiration you’ll do yourself a favor by visiting Padstyle
Tags: bedroom furniture set, decor, home decor, home decorating, home improvement, interior design
I received a request to make these poplar balusters by a customer in South Alabama. His wife had a liking to an image in a Pottery Barn catalog. I did my best to replicate these from that catalog image. They are, of course, an alternating series. They measured 3 inches at the squares.
Alternating Poplar Balusters
Pictured below are four of a set of poplar columns we made for a customer some time back. The fluted columns are tapered to simulate the Greco – Roman columns of old. The rope twist are simply cylindrical. These are solid (though laminated) poplar. They came off quite nicely I think and would make a fine addition to any home.
Poplar Columns
Tags: architectural design, architecture, decor, interior design, interior designer, wood turning
