Stairs That Are a Real (Design) Treat

Once-scary staircases that are now part of beautiful spaces, thanks to a Sweeten renovation

When most people think about renovation, they immediately envision bathrooms being gutted and kitchens being ripped out and replaced. Of course, these are amazing transformations that really make a great impact on our homes, but other less celebrated areas also add an interesting design element to the overall aesthetic of the space. Below, a roundup of Sweeten renovations that feature some stylish staircases.  

When the homeowners stepped into this Manhattan loft they were taken by the high ceilings and 10-foot windows that looked out over a verdant courtyard. They ended up renovating the kitchen and master bedroom to match the vibe of the space, which features statement-making floating steps—an ode to the 1929 industrial building in which the apartment is located.

This 1920s home in Midwood, Brooklyn, has a great layout with the foyer, living room, and dining room being pretty much open but still having their own distinct space. The second floor needed fixing up when the homeowners moved in. It was covered in wood paneling, lacked overhead lighting, and had carpeted stairs leading to it. They updated the latter with detailed molding and hardwood steps.

As parents of young children, the homeowners of this duplex in Brooklyn wanted a staircase that was safe for the kids but still had a modern design aesthetic. They updated the stairway by adding a new banister with a closed glass barrier and installing backing between the treads and the open stairs.

You can imagine that in a home with three levels, the staircases would be important design features. This apartment in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village is no exception. The homeowner wanted to “open up the space,” which is not an easy feat in a triplex, but the see-through staircases were a good start.

The Jersey City couple took their time when they moved into their new duplex and did just cosmetic changes at first. But two years later, they were ready to turn the two-family house into a single home. One important “step” was to redesign the entryway and expose the existing staircase, which was behind a wall so they didn’t have to go through the foyer to access the upstairs level.

When the homeowners first moved in, this brownstone in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, was basically uninhabitable. It needed a lot of work! But with the help of their Sweeten architect, they were able to update the home so that it pays homage to its historic roots, with beautiful hardwoods, moldings, and detailing. The grand staircase greets people as they enter,  and is made even more striking by its black color and the landing at the bottom of the stairs.

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