CasaSugar

Would You Want a Floating Staircase?

CasaSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:00:14 -0700

I've seen a few floating staircases in the past and they certainly look cool. But I think I'm too much of a wimp not to have a banister. And they're definitely not very safe for children or the elderly. Would you want one in your house?

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Guess What These Banisters Were Wrapped With?

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:00:07 -0700

The banisters on the staircase in this San Francisco residence designed by Nicole Hollis were wrapped with a very affordable and common material, giving simple metal poles not only texture but also a graphic presence. Can you guess what they were wrapped with?

Do You Have a Spiral Staircase?

CasaSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:00:51 -0700

I love a grand, dramatic spiral staircase such as this one. But the narrow, very vertical kind you see on boats or small homes makes me feel a bit acrophobic. Do you have one?Source

Casa Quickie: Step Into Color

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:00:20 -0700

If you're in love with your white walls, but still want to add a hint of color to your life, take inspiration from this home. The stairs were painted an unexpectedly bright color, adding an infusion of freshness to the space. With otherwise neutral choices for the floors and walls, the staircase really stands out. It probably comes in handy for little ones learning to concentrate on climbing stairs, too, don't you think?

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Do You Decorate Your Stairwell?

CasaSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:00:22 -0700

Your stairwell may not be your first priority in decorating, but you can still make an impact there. Whether you go for an understated look with a trio of small photographs and a plant, or bold with a leopard-print stair runner, bright pink walls, and a glitzy chandelier, the space shouldn't be overlooked. If your front staircase lines up with your front door, it's the first impression your guests will have of your home. So, you should make sure it's a good representation of your taste. If not, you have more leeway to have fun and maybe be a little crazier than normal.

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Love It or Hate It? Mirror Tiled Steps

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:00:30 -0700

You all seemed to love the tiled text staircase I showed you, which makes me think you may warm up to these mirror tiled steps. I think the juxtaposition of the old, wooden banister and the small mirrored tiles makes this look work. But on a modern staircase, it might look tacky and too disco. You must admit the light reflected by the tiles is beautiful, though. It's a good thing the tiles are petite, so you can't actually see your own reflection. What do you say? Yea or nay?
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Love It or Hate It? Tiled Text Staircase

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:00:22 -0700

The tiled French text in this staircase in the portfolio of stylist Laurence Pasquier translates to "I climb, You climb, He climbs, We climb." It's a little bit tongue-in-cheek, and I think it has a nice visual effect. But, it's not for everyone. What do you say?
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Love It or Hate It? Bold Stair Runner

CasaSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:00:37 -0700

I just watched the 1966 Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole film How to Steal a Million, which is chock-full of talking points when it comes to interior design. But the one thing that truly blew me away (aside from the armoire that leads to a secret staircase) was the purple staircase and banister in Hepburn's character's foyer. In contrast to the rest of the reserved, gilded, French furnishings in the Parisian mansion, the purple stair runner is a very bold choice. Several important scenes take place on the staircase, so it was smart of production designer Alexandre Trauner to make it a focal point. Clearly, the décor in this home is dated and a little glitzy for most of our tastes, and this shade of purple isn't very popular these days. But what do you think of this effect in general? Do you like how they've used a stair runner to create visual impact? Would you want to replicate a similar look in your home with a powerful color, pattern, or stripes?
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Cool Idea: A Slide by the Staircase

CasaSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:00:33 -0700

I was just reading Cookie and came across a house tour of British architect Alex Michaelis's eco-friendly, family home in London. There are a lot of cool features of the home, like its climbing wall, and the fact that it's actually subterranean. But what really made me pause was a slide that ran alongside the indoor staircase. It was the sort of thing I probably dreamed about having as a kid, but only an architect's child would have the luxury of seeing that dream a reality. Slides have never gotten old for me; they're always fun. So, although this architectural feature is a bit indulgent and child-oriented, I don't imagine it will ever lose its appeal.
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Casa Quickie: Nonslip Stairs

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:00:50 -0700

Thinking back on all the scrapes and bruises I acquired simply from falling down my stairs as an overly energetic kid, I cringe a little. But there was no stopping me, especially on the days (most) when I was late to school. If only my parents had thought to install some sort of no-slip system, I mightn't have been so black and blue. Luckily, I've found the answer to these painful falls, thanks to Martha Stewart.

Want to know the secret? Then read more.

By mixing regular paint with fine sand, you can safeguard your home against hazardous slips and falls. First, paint your stairs with regular paint. Then, tape off a striped area where you'll want
to use nonslip paint. Then mix two cups of paint with 3/4 cups of sand (from a craft or hardware store). Paint your stripes, let dry, then paint over it with a coat of regular paint. You probably won't want to use this trick on you foyer stairs, but your back or outdoor stairs will do.

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