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Collection by Allie Weiss

Modern Staircase Inspiration

From solid wood to industrial steel, these modern staircases are more than just a way to get from one part of the house to another.

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The streamlined elm stairwell connects three levels of living space, from the public living areas to the mezzanine, situated to take advantage of city vistas, and the uppermost private quarters.
The streamlined elm stairwell connects three levels of living space, from the public living areas to the mezzanine, situated to take advantage of city vistas, and the uppermost private quarters.
Local wood, contrasted with steel and concrete elements, comprise the home's modern palette. The light fixture is by German designer Ingo Maurer; the dining room table and chairs are from Crate & Barrel.
Local wood, contrasted with steel and concrete elements, comprise the home's modern palette. The light fixture is by German designer Ingo Maurer; the dining room table and chairs are from Crate & Barrel.
A grille of walnut slats, designed by Syme and made by the local millworkers MCM, delineates the edge of a new stair with open treads made of hot-rolled steel. Tall Bulthaup cabinets mark the edge of the dining area; Evans, a mechanical engineer, had them custom-made to conceal heating ducts that vent almost invisibly through the top edge.
A grille of walnut slats, designed by Syme and made by the local millworkers MCM, delineates the edge of a new stair with open treads made of hot-rolled steel. Tall Bulthaup cabinets mark the edge of the dining area; Evans, a mechanical engineer, had them custom-made to conceal heating ducts that vent almost invisibly through the top edge.
The stair treads are solid-oak planks, stained and finished to match the oak flooring.
The stair treads are solid-oak planks, stained and finished to match the oak flooring.
In the stairwell hangs a series of 1999 Vik Muniz works that resemble Andy Warhol’s iconic portraits of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, but are actually photographs of pooled ketchup.
In the stairwell hangs a series of 1999 Vik Muniz works that resemble Andy Warhol’s iconic portraits of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, but are actually photographs of pooled ketchup.
The caged staircase was designed by architect Patrick Ousey, with whom Flournoy collaborated in the home’s design. Although initially unconvinced by the staircase detail, “it is a great example of how collaboration brings in different perspectives,” says Flournoy.
The caged staircase was designed by architect Patrick Ousey, with whom Flournoy collaborated in the home’s design. Although initially unconvinced by the staircase detail, “it is a great example of how collaboration brings in different perspectives,” says Flournoy.
Onwers Alex Gil and Claudia DeSimio reconfigured the space inside their 2,000-square-foot duplex, creating one open area to hold a monolithic "wedge core" to house the staircase. "The older the building, the more you can adhere to older codes, which gives you more liberty," says Gil, who heads the architecture firm Spacecutter.
Onwers Alex Gil and Claudia DeSimio reconfigured the space inside their 2,000-square-foot duplex, creating one open area to hold a monolithic "wedge core" to house the staircase. "The older the building, the more you can adhere to older codes, which gives you more liberty," says Gil, who heads the architecture firm Spacecutter.