The Victoria era ended more then 100 years ago, but it's design influences-deep, rich colors, wallpaper with bold patterns and velvety textures, and high-quality, detailed millwork-can still be found in the modern-day homes, such as this 7,500-square-foot beauty in Medina. The home's entrance is fit for a king and queen. A dramatic two-story foyer opens up to 10-foot ceilings, graced by a curved staircase, a sun-filled living room that takes advantage of the views of the three-acre property, and a music room, featuring the homeowners' baby grand piano. "Each unique room has a sense of separation, yet there's an open floor plan", explains Andy Schrader, president of Schrader & Companies, the builder behind this masterpiece. The home features four bedrooms and five baths, including a stunning master suite with and expansive walk-in master shower-complete with exterior and interior windows and a rain showerhead suspended from the ceiling. Other luxury amenities include main- and upper level laundries, four garage stalls, an indoor sport court, a workroom for the wife (with French doors accessing a personal patio), and a vestibule opening to the husband's office, complete with ship portal. The nucleus of this home is the kitchen, with a wall of windows overlooking a private pond, a cathedral vaulted ceiling, and a unique Romeo-and-Juliet balcony, a trademark feature of the builder. Story courtesy or Midwest Home Magazine-August 2012 Written by Christina Sarinske Photographs courtesy of Scott Jacobson

The tower entry in this home contains a curved staircase.

Vintage leaded glass windows in staircase turret

The private home, reminiscent of Maine lodges and family camps, was designed to be a sanctuary for the family and their many relatives. Lassel Architects worked closely with the owners to meet their needs and wishes and collaborated thoroughly with the builder during the construction process to provide a meticulously crafted home. The open-concept plan, framed by a unique timber frame inspired by Greene & Greene’s designs, provides large open spaces for entertaining with generous views to the lake, along with sleeping lofts that comfortably host a crowd overnight. Each of the family members' bedrooms was configured to provide a view to the lake. The bedroom wings pivot off a staircase which winds around a natural tree trunk up to a tower room with 360-degree views of the surrounding lake and forest. All interiors are framed with natural wood and custom-built furniture and cabinets reinforce daily use and activities. The family enjoys the home throughout the entire year; therefore careful attention was paid to insulation, air tightness and efficient mechanical systems, including in-floor heating. The house was integrated into the natural topography of the site to connect the interior and exterior spaces and encourage an organic circulation flow. Solar orientation and summer and winter sun angles were studied to shade in the summer and take advantage of passive solar gain in the winter. Equally important was the use of natural ventilation. The design takes into account cross-ventilation for each bedroom while high and low awning windows to allow cool air to move through the home replacing warm air in the upper floor. The tower functions as a private space with great light and views with the advantage of the Venturi effect on warm summer evenings. Sandy Agrafiotis

The black walnut slide/stair is completed! The install went very smoothly. The owners are LOVING it! It’s the most unique project we have ever put together. It’s a 33-ft long black walnut slide built with 445 layers of cross-laminated layers of hardwood and I completely pre-assembled the slide, stair and railing in my shop. Last week we installed it in an amazing round tower room on an 8000 sq ft house in Sacramento. The slide is designed for adults and children and my clients who are grandparents, tested it with their grandchildren and approved it. 33-ft long black walnut slide #slide #woodslide #stairslide #interiorslide #rideofyourlife #indoorslide #slidestair #stairinspo #woodstairslide #walnut #blackwalnut #toptreadstairways #slideintolife #staircase #stair #stairs #stairdesign #stacklamination #crosslaminated

Six flights of curved stairways winding up a stair tower with continuous rail throughout all flights.

Aesthetic Value: Six flights of stacked curved stairways wind up this 80’ tall stair tower. The handrail adds elegance to the overall design as it flows continuously through all floors and pitch change transitions without any interruptions. Stair Safety: The sturdy rail system provides safe guard which is especially crucial at these great heights. Quality: Pre-built stairway and balustrade prior to delivery to jobsite. Solid hardwood staircase and supplemental structural iron work for securing the freestanding stair all done in house. Curved stringer and handrail transitions at all pitch changes. Technical Challenge: Assisting with engineering freestanding floor systems and integrated stairways. Rigging and hoisting stairways up multiple floors. Designing floor areas and transitions to accommodate flights becoming narrower as they went higher. Logistics of working in Manhattan.

Six flights of curved stairways winding up a stair tower with continuous rail throughout all flights.

Front hall and staircase. Dramatic light tower and barrel vaulted ceilings. Arched openings in to the formal entertaining spaces. Photography: Greg Premru

The black walnut slide/stair is completed! The install went very smoothly. The owners are LOVING it! It’s the most unique project we have ever put together. It’s a 33-ft long black walnut slide built with 445 layers of cross-laminated layers of hardwood and I completely pre-assembled the slide, stair and railing in my shop. Last week we installed it in an amazing round tower room on an 8000 sq ft house in Sacramento. The slide is designed for adults and children and my clients who are grandparents, tested it with their grandchildren and approved it. 33-ft long black walnut slide #slide #woodslide #stairslide #interiorslide #rideofyourlife #indoorslide #slidestair #stairinspo #woodstairslide #walnut #blackwalnut #toptreadstairways #slideintolife #staircase #stair #stairs #stairdesign #stacklamination #crosslaminated

The private home, reminiscent of Maine lodges and family camps, was designed to be a sanctuary for the family and their many relatives. Lassel Architects worked closely with the owners to meet their needs and wishes and collaborated thoroughly with the builder during the construction process to provide a meticulously crafted home. The open-concept plan, framed by a unique timber frame inspired by Greene & Greene’s designs, provides large open spaces for entertaining with generous views to the lake, along with sleeping lofts that comfortably host a crowd overnight. Each of the family members' bedrooms was configured to provide a view to the lake. The bedroom wings pivot off a staircase which winds around a natural tree trunk up to a tower room with 360-degree views of the surrounding lake and forest. All interiors are framed with natural wood and custom-built furniture and cabinets reinforce daily use and activities. The family enjoys the home throughout the entire year; therefore careful attention was paid to insulation, air tightness and efficient mechanical systems, including in-floor heating. The house was integrated into the natural topography of the site to connect the interior and exterior spaces and encourage an organic circulation flow. Solar orientation and summer and winter sun angles were studied to shade in the summer and take advantage of passive solar gain in the winter. Equally important was the use of natural ventilation. The design takes into account cross-ventilation for each bedroom while high and low awning windows to allow cool air to move through the home replacing warm air in the upper floor. The tower functions as a private space with great light and views with the advantage of the Venturi effect on warm summer evenings. Sandy Agrafiotis

The black walnut slide/stair is completed! The install went very smoothly. The owners are LOVING it! It’s the most unique project we have ever put together. It’s a 33-ft long black walnut slide built with 445 layers of cross-laminated layers of hardwood and I completely pre-assembled the slide, stair and railing in my shop. Last week we installed it in an amazing round tower room on an 8000 sq ft house in Sacramento. The slide is designed for adults and children and my clients who are grandparents, tested it with their grandchildren and approved it. 33-ft long black walnut slide #slide #woodslide #stairslide #interiorslide #rideofyourlife #indoorslide #slidestair #stairinspo #woodstairslide #walnut #blackwalnut #toptreadstairways #slideintolife #staircase #stair #stairs #stairdesign #stacklamination #crosslaminated

Six flights of curved stairways winding up a stair tower with continuous rail throughout all flights.

Six flights of curved stairways winding up a stair tower with continuous rail throughout all flights.

The black walnut slide/stair is completed! The install went very smoothly. The owners are LOVING it! It’s the most unique project we have ever put together. It’s a 33-ft long black walnut slide built with 445 layers of cross-laminated layers of hardwood and I completely pre-assembled the slide, stair and railing in my shop. Last week we installed it in an amazing round tower room on an 8000 sq ft house in Sacramento. The slide is designed for adults and children and my clients who are grandparents, tested it with their grandchildren and approved it. 33-ft long black walnut slide #slide #woodslide #stairslide #interiorslide #rideofyourlife #indoorslide #slidestair #stairinspo #woodstairslide #walnut #blackwalnut #toptreadstairways #slideintolife #staircase #stair #stairs #stairdesign #stacklamination #crosslaminated

The black walnut slide/stair is completed! The install went very smoothly. The owners are LOVING it! It’s the most unique project we have ever put together. It’s a 33-ft long black walnut slide built with 445 layers of cross-laminated layers of hardwood and I completely pre-assembled the slide, stair and railing in my shop. Last week we installed it in an amazing round tower room on an 8000 sq ft house in Sacramento. The slide is designed for adults and children and my clients who are grandparents, tested it with their grandchildren and approved it. 33-ft long black walnut slide #slide #woodslide #stairslide #interiorslide #rideofyourlife #indoorslide #slidestair #stairinspo #woodstairslide #walnut #blackwalnut #toptreadstairways #slideintolife #staircase #stair #stairs #stairdesign #stacklamination #crosslaminated

A dramatic stair tower connects all three levels of the home and is expressed as a distinct element on the exterior.

Six flights of curved stairways winding up a stair tower with continuous rail throughout all flights.

The black walnut slide/stair is completed! The install went very smoothly. The owners are LOVING it! It’s the most unique project we have ever put together. It’s a 33-ft long black walnut slide built with 445 layers of cross-laminated layers of hardwood and I completely pre-assembled the slide, stair and railing in my shop. Last week we installed it in an amazing round tower room on an 8000 sq ft house in Sacramento. The slide is designed for adults and children and my clients who are grandparents, tested it with their grandchildren and approved it. 33-ft long black walnut slide #slide #woodslide #stairslide #interiorslide #rideofyourlife #indoorslide #slidestair #stairinspo #woodstairslide #walnut #blackwalnut #toptreadstairways #slideintolife #staircase #stair #stairs #stairdesign #stacklamination #crosslaminated