STAIRS

If there is one item that most people ignore, it is the staircase.

I don't mean we forget about it entirely. We all know we need to get from the first to the second floor. But most people tuck it off to the side and consider it only for its functionality.

Stairs, I beg you to consider, can be a work of art.

Graceful curves or sharp angles, stairs can shape a grand entrance, open up a viewing corridor, or create an optical illusion.

Floating stairs, which appear to have no support underneath are some of our personal favorites. Glass, wood, stone, tile and metal treads and handrails all play a role in the style and function of the stairs.

A dramatic colorful staircase that stands out from a neutral painted wall will be a showstopper. While a staircase using the same materials and painted the same colors will appear to flow into the overall scheme of the home's interior.

The wall behind the stairs is a huge component of the stair design. As you can see below, a wall of windows that flow along the path of the staircase give it extra attention. While a wall of tile or wood