This Kalwall translucently insulated stairwell was designed to allow excess heat to rise and release from the home during the summer months and dramatically mirrors the nearby city skyline. This tower of light proves visually interesting to the interiors as well as the exterior.

The curving staircase leads onto the loft at the top of the house. The sharp and angular turns impart the feeling of climbing up a tower.

In one established community in Fairfax County, a new home stands out from the rest. It was designed with an observatory tower built atop, and we had the opportunity to bring the architect's unique, artistic and cohesive design to life. We also provided the contractor with a satisfying building experience and a beautiful, safe and durable wooden spiral-treads system; fully customized white oak treads combine solid strength, a curved smooth look and clean look (white oak tread to metal structure connections). From the basement level to the second floor a large space and open feeling was accomplished with an attractive/supported straight stair system; all components (stringers, white oak treads, risers and handrail) were customized at our shop to satisfy required code and construction details. CSC 1976-2020 © Century Stair Company LLC ® All rights reserved.

Fullerton Associates, Inc.

An exterior view of the spiral staircase windows, the Green Tea Leaf color stands out against the red brick turret.

In one established community in Fairfax County, a new home stands out from the rest. It was designed with an observatory tower built atop, and we had the opportunity to bring the architect's unique, artistic and cohesive design to life. We also provided the contractor with a satisfying building experience and a beautiful, safe and durable wooden spiral-treads system; fully customized white oak treads combine solid strength, a curved smooth look and clean look (white oak tread to metal structure connections). From the basement level to the second floor a large space and open feeling was accomplished with an attractive/supported straight stair system; all components (stringers, white oak treads, risers and handrail) were customized at our shop to satisfy required code and construction details. CSC 1976-2020 © Century Stair Company LLC ® All rights reserved.

Blackband Design 949.872.2234 www.blackbanddesign.com

photos by G. Frank Hart

Photos by Andrew Wuttke

This is the Home office at the top of the Tower. Great View out the windows of this office.

Custom railing detail at the stair tower.

An internal courtyard / atrium with double-height space delivers a further sense of Zen to the property

I have previously worked in every level of this home – project images can be viewed on Riverdale Top to Bottom Renovation – the Third Floor was the final frontier and the transformation is quite spectacular (even if I say so myself!). Before and after pictures can be found on our website. My client’s twin boys were rapidly outgrowing their little nursery on the second floor and so plans were drawn up to renovate the third floor…. All of this work was done with my clients / kids / pets living at home. We erected a scaffolding tower at the side of the home and this was how all the trades got in and out throughout the project – the scaffolding stairs were actually wider and provided easier access than the original staircase. The original footprint comprised of 3 bedrooms (one generous sized guest bedroom at the front of the house that we retained and two smaller oddly shaped rooms with cove ceilings and angles that really prevented them being useful) plus an internal powder room. We pushed the rear internal wall of the powder room back to the exterior wall so that we could build a generous sized bathroom that will see the boys through the years. The walls and floors are neutral and we added a pop of blue with the vanity. One of my favourite elements is the river rock tile inset mat that is great for little feet to walk on – especially when the underfloor heating is on! The twin bedroom is breathtaking – the previous rooms were so small it was really hard to photograph them but if you check out the before and after section below it paints a pretty good picture. A 12’ wide dormer makes this floor feel like a treehouse and the light is amazing. We incorporated some gorgeous lighting in this room – 2 styles of sconces and a custom pendant. I love the second life carpet and the checked roman blind fabric. It’s a space that is large and comfortable enough for the whole family to sit in and enjoy. The third floor hallway was transformed by straightening the walls and levelling the ceiling. The custom light fixture / art installation guarantees you pause at the foot of the stairs. Photography by Tim McGhie

Norman Sizemore

Photographer: Dan Farmer Contractors: Creative Kitchen & Bath, JL Remodeling

Daniel Gonzalez

Jean Allsopp and Jack Gardner