1. Cascade Terrace: timber and white painted steel staircase

Renovated by Sam Crawford Architects, this sinuous staircase is one example of how spectacular staircases can complement a home’s layout. The staircase spirals through a three level Terrace House in Sydney. Comprising white-painted steel and timber, the staircase is an exceptional feat of engineering. The wide and shallow treads promote easy access to all three levels of the home. Every sixth step is also made from structural steel covered in timber. As a result, the spiral form and a vaulted skylight above draw light deep into the spaces below. “The main staircase is effectively a work of art,” the owners enthuse. “It delights us each day and night. We continue to marvel at its construction and how it could have been achieved within the footprint of a terrace house.” Photography by Brett Boardman. samcrawfordarchitects.com.au

2. Palheiro House: suspended metal staircase in a fisherman’s house

An optical illusion or a sculptural staircase? This interesting set of stairs appear as both! Located on Esmoriz Beach in Portugal is a contemporary fisherman’s house, known as a “Palheiro”. Inside are lightweight, suspended metal stairs dividing the living space and kitchen. The staircase becomes more than a means of vertical circulation. It also serves as a visual and functional anchor that shapes the interior experience. The metal treads stop just above the kitchen island benchtop. It leads onto a secondary staircase attached to the floor and affixed to the island. Design by Pedro Henrique Arquiteto. Photography by Ivo Tavares Studio. pedrohenriquearquiteto.com; ivotavares.net

3. Folding Staircase: compact bamboo space-saving staircase

The Bcompact foldable staircase is an engineering marvel designed for homes and offices. It boasts a patented mechanism that merges strength with compactness. The lateral folding motion optimises space and facilitates movement to different areas in your home. The design integrates inventive elements. These include the bifold handrail embellished with stainless-steel, brass or alloy hardware accents. Additionally, the staircase offers the choice of an automatic or spring-loaded gate. It even offers a special finish for outdoor use. Crafted in Tuggerah, NSW, these Australian-made staircases harness the tensile strength of bamboo. Also, the swift renewability of bamboo makes for an incredible sustainable choice. From each component used or repurposed for other projects, it is essentially waste-free. bcompact.com/folding-staircase

4. Skywalk Apartment: spectacular staircases in a multifaceted plaster spiral design

This multifaceted staircase connects five distinct interior spaces over three levels. It provides a vertical expedition to its occupants and spans the ground to the first floors. Juxtaposed by the patina of oxidised steel treads is a hand-finished spiral stairwell. Through the infinite plaster spiral, time seems to alter. Moving from the first to the second floor, the stairs change to include steel stringers and steel tube handrails. The volume, tactile materials and pauses between levels and junctions promote a resonance between old and new. Designed by Henry Francis and Sonya Pletes for Henry Francis Design. Photography by Andrew Richey. henryfrancisdesign.com

5. Castle Hill House: concrete and timber LED-lit stairs

Built by Gremmo Homes and inspired by principles of industrial and brutalist design, this dwelling is punctuated by a spectacular staircase that marries concrete with timber. The Marble slabs created the several stairs that connect the varying levels throughout the ground floor. They also sit at the base of the main floating staircase. It features spotted gum treads that cantilever from the formed concrete wall through recessed steel beams. Stainless-steel wire acts as a balustrade, enhancing the cantilevered treads floating effect. The soft LED lighting to the handrail highlights the texture of the concrete wall. The staircase’s detailing is immense, having low tolerance for error in its implementations. Interior design by Douglas Design. gremmohomes.com.au; douglasdesign.com.au

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These stylish frameless and semi-frameless balustrades are the perfect finishing touch to your outdoor or indoor space.

Why balustrades?

Balustrades offer that high-end finish that other fencing or screening simply can’t match. Not only that, but they maximise the available light in your home and provide inobtrusive structural safety elements that look absolutely amazing.

By adding a frameless or semi-frameless balustrade to your staircase, you can modernise your home’s look. This in turn lifts the appearance of the space, resulting in a relatively minor spend for a million-dollar finish.

Balustrades also provide the perfect solution for fencing that doesn’t obscure your view. Whether you have a balcony, veranda or deck, this addition adds an element of finesse and class to your property and increases the value of your home. With a wide range of shapes and finishes available, you can match your balustrade to your space, whether you have a timber, brick, rendered or painted concrete finish.

What you need to know

When choosing your balustrade, you need to go with the very best. Quality is everything, and that’s why we like Absolut Custom Glass Systems, located on the Gold Coast. These experts in balustrades have been providing high-quality products that are perfectly fitted to your space for more than 20 years.

The Absolut Custom Glass Systems team provides creative design solutions for your home, with options including frameless or semi-frameless panels, and footings or out-of-sight fixings to achieve that ‘floating’ look. Alternatively, they can assist you in creating a balustrade solution that matches your own specifications.

When you’re adding a Glass Balustrade to your internal staircase, the Absolut team can help with both design and installation. They can even offer curved glass for that high-end look that filters light through in areas previously left in the dark. Stainless steel hardware ensures that the final product will stand the test of time.

For those looking to enjoy unrestricted views from their outdoor mezzanine or balcony area, the Absolut group are experts. Their custom-designed Glass Balustrades can be tailored to suit any space.

All Absolut Custom Glass Systems products are designed to meet Australian safety standards — just the sort of quality you’d expect from a team of industry experts.

For more information

Absolut Custom Glass Systems

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The RESiLIFT® was designed to be installed into existing homes.  The clear lift car enables you to see the home’s décor through it and the guiderails can be matched to the wall colour to make it even less visible.

“One of the stunning features of the RESiLIFT® is that the streamline design blends in wonderfully with any home, no matter what the style” says Peter van Emmerik, RESiLIFT® inventor and CEO of The Residential Lift Company.

It is so discreet that customers’ friends often ask, “Where is your lift?”, even though it might be right in front of them.

The RESiLIFT® is the most compact home lift on the market.  Despite having the smallest lift footprint, it still allows two people to travel together.

To check out the RESiLIFT® range visit www.resilift.com.au or phone 1300 303 522

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For many people, stairs become challenging and even dangerous as we age.  Faced with this dilemma, some people feel their only option is to move to a single level home.

Installing a residential lift provides a convenient hassle-free option.  People can now stay in their homes safely, saving time, effort and money that would otherwise be wasted selling their home and moving.

The RESiLIFT®, the first Through-Floor elevator, was invented by Tasmanian engineer, Peter van Emmerik.  His design was ground breaking and it’s the most affordable lift on the market.

The lift can be retrofitted into existing homes, and the shaftless design means installation is quick and easy.

The RESiLIFT® uses less power than a toaster, and requires minimal ongoing maintenance.

“It’s such a relief! Now I know we can stay in our home! We love it!” says Margot Ling who installed a RESiLIFT® a few months ago.

To find out more about future-proofing your home with a RESiLIFT® visit www.resilift.com.au or phone 1300 303 522

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Starting from $27,000 you can install a shaftless RESiLIFT® which can be retrofitted into most existing homes as well as installed in new builds.

With increased land-prices, and the cost of buying and selling your home, RESiLIFT® is not only an affordable solution, it’s a smart choice.

This incredible design is so clever that it doesn’t cost much to install or maintain.  Unlike most other lifts on the market,  it requires only minimal  ongoing maintenance.

If you live in, or are building a two-storey home, this is a no-brainer.  It will add convenience and safety for your family and increase the value of your home as you expand potential buyers.

To find out more about RESiLIFT® visit www.resilift.com.au or phone 1300 303 522

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With high land prices in Australia, often the only option to maintain a desired amount of living space is to build a two-storey home; the downside, however, is stairs.  Now with the option of a RESiLIFT®, people can stay in their homes safely.

Depending on the layout of your home, the lift is installed in a location that is practical.  Some people install the lift in their garage, so bringing home the shopping now is safe and easier.

Instead of lugging washing baskets, suitcases and household goods up and down stairs, you can now place these things in a residential lift.  The RESiLIFT® also has a remote-control option where you can call the lift from a different floor.

A few decades ago, people considered air-conditioning in homes was a luxury and only for the rich.  We predict that over the next decade it’ll become the norm for two-storey homes to have a residential lift.

For more details about installing a residential lift in your existing or new home visit www.resilift.com.au or phone 1300 303 522

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Staircases are one of the most important elements of a multi-storey home — not just architecturally but also when it comes to interior design. An aesthetically-pleasing staircase will not only impress friends and family but will work well with any other elements of your home’s design. The following is S&A’s impressive range of modern staircases:

Modern Stair 37

The Modern Stair 37 features chunky (66mm) American Oak treads, primed black steel strings and a glass balustrade. Designed specifically for a young family, the modern staircase sits comfortably in this spacious Melbourne home, dispersing and diffusing light through the living room with open rise and black steel carriage for contrast. Rounding out the tidy architecrual design is glass balustrade (10mm toughened glass) tucked neatly inside an American Oak handrail.

Modern Stair 36

Simple and stunning, this open straight flight stair compliments this Camberwell home perfectly. 42mm Victorian Ash treads and closed 42mm Victorian Ash stringers have been stained to match the timber framework around the large adjacent windows while 10mm clear glass balustrade has been rebated into the outer stringer and is surrounded by 70 x 45mm HR07 handrail which drops down to the floor at the foot of the stair. Surrounding this void is plaster walls which have a 70 x 45mm capping fixed to the top.

Modern Stair 35

This is a striking staircase that doesn’t hold back on the wow factor. The first flight is constructed out of 90mm thick American Oak boxed treads, fixed to steel supports coming out from the wall to create a cantilevered look.

On the first flight 12mm clear toughened glass balustrade is used, fixed to the edge of the treads with stainless steel patch fittings, while the handrail is a 50mm x 10mm stainless steel flat bar side mounted to the balustrade, resulting in clean slick lines.

When you hit the landing the stair turns into a closed flight stair between walls taking you up to the next floor. The most unique and, arguably, impressive feature is the LED lights rebated into grooves on the underside of each tread.

Modern Stair 34

This magnificent American Oak timber staircase’s first flight is made of 42mm treads sitting on top of a 150x100mm steel centre carriage, while the second flight is a closed stair with closed strings and butted treads & risers.

The handrail used is 70x45mm HR07 which mitres at all changes of pitch and direction and drops down to the landing while the main feature of the Modern Stair 34 is 42x42mm TB07 timber balustrade and feature screen. The first flight’s screen is fixed flush to treads, lining up exactly with the first floor balusters directly above, while the balusters on the second flight have also been positioned to line up precisely with the screen. Ensuring the screen balusters remain aligned and evenly spaced is a 16mm black steel spreader bar.

For more information

S&A Stairs

Written by Ben Nour

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Spiral staircases aren’t just for pokey castle or cathedral towers – check out this modern update on a classic, using white smooth surfaces and quality timber to create a contemporary look.

We love the use of the timber slats shielding this staircase. Emphasizing form and natural materials, this look is sure to be a feature in any room.

We love the mix of timber, steel and glass in this floating staircase. The combination is industrial and modern, and using the floating timber stairs creates a light and laid-back effect.

Nothing beats a classic combination of simple design and quality timber – we love this dark polished staircase, and how it opens up the space.

For more information

S&A Stairs

Written by Lauren Farquhar

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Feature Stairs

S&A’s Stairs do more than link the levels in your home. They allow you to make a statement – however bold – of who you are. Feature stairs resonate with the imagination and inspire creativity. These are some of S&A’s boldest projects, designed to be the centre of attention.

Classic Stairs

In any great home, a delicate balance exists between the individual components and the building as a whole. A classic stair combines 21^st century practicality with old world craftsmanship – so your new stair looks established and refined without looking old.

Contemporary Stairs

At S&A’s we are striving to move faster and be bolder, to push the boundaries and break absolutes from the past. Contemporary stairs live for the individual and find solutions to the constraints of modern living. The following stairs are more detailed, unique, specific and individual than anything that has come before them.

Modern Stairs

Modern stairs typically look clean and sleek. They often incorporate material such as glass and stainless steel and create a focal point for the home. With so many options now available in stair components and materials, modern stairs allow the designer to let their imaginations run wild.

Handrail

S&A’s offer a range of timber and stainless steel handrail options, suitable for both internal and external use. A variety of profiles and features are available, including S&A’s signature continuous handrail and feature handcrafted scrolls – which are simply a work of art.

Balustrade

S&A’s design, manufacture and install all different types of balustrades for both internal and external environments. The materials we use include glass, steel, stainless steel, wrought iron, timber and wire. We are able to provide the most suitable balustrade options to create any style and look that you are after.

For more information

S&A Stairs

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