Another Minor Detail

A stair rail, is a stair rail, is a stair rail.

Or, maybe not! When you have a tricky stair configuration, the rail should match the intricacy of the steps, right? The correct answer is, yes, it should. But, unless the installer is a very patient craftsman like on this job, you'll be lucky to get this kind of work.

The newels, handrail and balusters on these new stairs are very appropriate to the period and style of the house.

Spindly balusters would have looked flimsy, and a thicker newel post would have made the staircase too clunky in the beautiful new space. Proportion here is very important.

Notice how the staircase ends at the same plane as the wall just beyond. This is an important element in the design that helps maintain a feeling of "calm" in the room.

And now for the promised detail! Notice how the rail steps up (or down) exactly like the stairs.

Once in a while, it's the things you didn't even know to expect that give you the most pleasure. Life should be like this every day!