Custom Stair Railing designed and fabricated by ornamental solutions. Modern contemporary slick desing with a black texture powder coat.

Originally built in 1889 a short walk from the old East Falls Church rail station, the vaguely reminiscent gothic Victorian was a landmark in a neighborhood of late 19th century wood frame homes. The two story house had been changed many times over its 116 year life with most of the changes diminishing the style and integrity of the original home. Beginning during the mid-twentieth century, few of the changes could be seen as improvements. The wonderfully dominate front tower was obscured by a bathroom shed roof addition. The exterior skin was covered with asbestos siding, requiring the removal of any wood detailing projecting from its surface. Poorly designed diminutive additions were added to the rear creating small, awkward, low ceiling spaces that became irrelevant to the modern user. The house was in serious need of a significant renovation and restoration. A young family purchased the house and immediately realized the inadequacies; sub-par spaces, kitchen, bathrooms and systems. The program for this project was closely linked to aesthetics, function and budget. The program called for significantly enlarging the house with a major new rear addition taking the place of the former small additions. Critically important to the program was to not only protect the integrity of the original house, but to restore and expand the house in such a way that the addition would be seamless. The completed house had to fulfill all of the requirements of a modern house with significant living spaces, including reconfigured foyer, living room and dining room on the first floor and three modified bedrooms on the second floor. On the rear of the house a new addition created a new kitchen, family room, mud room, powder room and back stair hall. This new stair hall connected the new and existing first floor to a new basement recreation room below and a new master bedroom suite with laundry and second bathroom on the second floor. The entire exterior of the house was stripped to the original sheathing. New wood windows, wood lap siding, wall trim including roof eave and rake trim were installed. Each of the details on the exterior of the house matched the original details. This fact was confirmed by researching the house and studying turn-of-the-century photographs. The second floor addition was removed, facilitating the restoration of the four sided mansard roof tower. The final design for the house is strong but not overpowering. As a renovated house, the finished product fits the neighborhood, restoring its standing as a landmark, satisfying the owner’s needs for house and home. Hoachlander Davis Photography

For our client, who had previous experience working with architects, we enlarged, completely gutted and remodeled this Twin Peaks diamond in the rough. The top floor had a rear-sloping ceiling that cut off the amazing view, so our first task was to raise the roof so the great room had a uniformly high ceiling. Clerestory windows bring in light from all directions. In addition, we removed walls, combined rooms, and installed floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall sliding doors in sleek black aluminum at each floor to create generous rooms with expansive views. At the basement, we created a full-floor art studio flooded with light and with an en-suite bathroom for the artist-owner. New exterior decks, stairs and glass railings create outdoor living opportunities at three of the four levels. We designed modern open-riser stairs with glass railings to replace the existing cramped interior stairs. The kitchen features a 16 foot long island which also functions as a dining table. We designed a custom wall-to-wall bookcase in the family room as well as three sleek tiled fireplaces with integrated bookcases. The bathrooms are entirely new and feature floating vanities and a modern freestanding tub in the master. Clean detailing and luxurious, contemporary finishes complete the look.

The 19th Stairs and Railing are a perfect example of contemporary industrial with a sophisticated style. Hand patina'd steel finishes and Black Walnut railings make this a warm and distinguished design.

Ultra-tec® stainless steel hardware, fittings and type 316, 1x19 stainless steel cable used on decks, balconies, patios and porches.

We restored original dining room buffet, box beams and windows. Owners removed a lower ceiling to find original box beams above still in place. Buffet with beveled mirror survived, but not the leaded glass. New art glass panels were made by craftsman James McKeown. Sill of flanking windows was the right height for a plate rail, so there may have once been one. We added continuous rail with wainscot below. Since trim was already painted we used smooth sheets of MDF, and applied wood battens. Arch in bay window and enlarged opening into kitchen are new. Benjamin Moore (BM) colors are "Confederate Red" and "Atrium White." Light fixtures are antiques, and furniture reproductions. David Whelan photo

Karen Cipola

Types of cable railing kits for wood posts.

Custom stair railing designed and built by Gonen Liberman of Iron Creations.

Stainless Steel Horizontal Rail Pacific Palisades

Kids' playhouse utilizing the empty space under the stairs.

The stainless steel 1/2" round bars, running horizontally between the wooden rail posts, complement this modern style home; the owners’ selected materials for this open and well ventilated staircase design match beautifully the renovated hardwood floors and engage the existing surroundings. Century Stair Company provided the owners with detailed preliminary drawings to ensure accuracy of staircase design, manufacture and installation; CSC’s custom designs always integrate innovation, creativity, and precision.CSC © 1976-2020 Century Stair Company. All rights reserved.