Updated staircase with white balusters and white oak handrails, herringbone-patterned stair runner in taupe and cream, and ornate but airy moulding details.

Anchored by a steel beam in the center landing, this floating staircase connects the entrance foyer to the lower level. Designed by Mark Brus, Architect and built by Lasley Construction

The staircase to the lower level was designed to be open and wide so that the it felt less like a basement and more like a lower level. This custom home was designed and built by Meadowlark Design+Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photography by Joshua Caldwell.

This kitchen is reflective of the period style of our clients' home and accentuates their entertaining lifestyle. White, beaded inset, shaker style cabinetry provides the space with traditional elements. The central island houses a fireclay, apron front sink, and satin nickel faucet, soap pump, and vacuum disposal switch. The island is constructed of Pennsylvania cherry and features integral wainscot paneling and hand-turned legs. The narrow space that was originally the butler's pantry is now a spacious bar area that features white, shaker style cabinetry with antique restoration glass inserts and blue painted interiors, a Rohl faucet, and a Linkasink copper sink. The range area is a major feature of the kitchen due to its mantle style hood, handcrafted tile backsplash set in a herringbone pattern, and decorative tile feature over the cooking surface. The honed Belgium bluestone countertops contrast against the lighter elements in the kitchen, and the reclaimed, white and red oak flooring provides warmth to the space. Commercial grade appliances were installed, including a Wolf Professional Series range, a Meile steam oven, and a Meile refrigerator with fully integrated, wood panels. A cottage style window located next to the range allows access to the exterior herb garden, and the removal of a laundry and storage closet created space for a casual dining area.

The main entrance door 7 feet wide and 10 feet high, clad with veneers of vintage teak from Burma, not just appreciated the elegance of the fore frame, but also adhered to the clients’ anthropometric requisites. The exquisite hand- grip was made from scrap wood which camouflaged with the door. Purnesh Dev Nikhanj

This unique interior is rustic with all the modern amenities! Wendi Gragg, the interior designer who worked closely with our team on the project to make sure all the details came together to meet the home owners wishes for a rustic appeal. Photography by; Stacey Walker

This unique city-home is designed with a center entry, flanked by formal living and dining rooms on either side. An expansive gourmet kitchen / great room spans the rear of the main floor, opening onto a terraced outdoor space comprised of more than 700SF. The home also boasts an open, four-story staircase flooded with natural, southern light, as well as a lower level family room, four bedrooms (including two en-suite) on the second floor, and an additional two bedrooms and study on the third floor. A spacious, 500SF roof deck is accessible from the top of the staircase, providing additional outdoor space for play and entertainment. Due to the location and shape of the site, there is a 2-car, heated garage under the house, providing direct entry from the garage into the lower level mudroom. Two additional off-street parking spots are also provided in the covered driveway leading to the garage. Designed with family living in mind, the home has also been designed for entertaining and to embrace life's creature comforts. Pre-wired with HD Video, Audio and comprehensive low-voltage services, the home is able to accommodate and distribute any low voltage services requested by the homeowner. This home was pre-sold during construction. Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

A John Kraemer & Sons estate on Lake Minnetonka's Wayzata Bay. Photography: Landmark Photography

Jack Hobhouse

Whether beautiful cantilevered glass staircases with matching glass balustrades, organically curving self­supporting helical staircases or visually simplistic single spine staircases, our love and understanding of our craft invariably shines through. Whatever your choice of materials or finishes, be it metal, glass, stone, exotic hardwoods or solid bronze applied coatings, we have the diverse skills and experience to fashion challenging and stunning designs that exquisitely balance form and function.

The client wanted an open staircase for this space, and it had to curve. The custom-designed solution from CAST's Tekna Jazz collection uses series 304 stainless steel modular sections that can be set to any direction, solid wood steps with a stainless steel edge guard to protect against wear and tear, a stainless steel balustrade,and fingerprint-resistant railing. Read more about this project here: http://europeancabinets.com/custom-staircase-for-modern-home/

The client wanted an open staircase for this space, and it had to curve. The custom-designed solution from CAST's Tekna Jazz collection uses series 304 stainless steel modular sections that can be set to any direction, solid wood steps with a stainless steel edge guard to protect against wear and tear, a stainless steel balustrade,and fingerprint-resistant railing. Read more about this project here: http://europeancabinets.com/custom-staircase-for-modern-home/

The client wanted an open staircase for this space, and it had to curve. The custom-designed solution from CAST's Tekna Jazz collection uses series 304 stainless steel modular sections that can be set to any direction, solid wood steps with a stainless steel edge guard to protect against wear and tear, a stainless steel balustrade,and fingerprint-resistant railing. Read more about this project here: http://europeancabinets.com/custom-staircase-for-modern-home/