Octagon Newel Post

   Great close up picture of this Inset panel Octagon Newel Post,
if you look real closely
 I believe the panels have walnut burl veneer on the panel faces.
The rounded top of the panel is a nice detail.

Also in the background there is a level balcony with a Octagon newel post,
 I don't see that very often...

Always like the view looking down the handrail, you can see the Twisted Rail Cap fitting at the bottom that is pretty large in diameter, also the button on the cap is large and tall, really nice detail.

The level balcony as it twists and turns it way down to the first floor, I like the "Waterfall Twist" fitting as it falls down the winder treads at the top of the stair. I think this is one of the hardest part to manufacture because it is so twisted

Big Twisted Volute

I don't feel every Handrail system needs to outrageous and crazy to be elegant and well designed. This Twisted Volute is pretty calm with a low twist height, but its still very wide to today's standard.

As the handrail reaches the mid landing there is a very nice 180 transition, that climbs a extra rise do to the split landing, this adds a graceful flow through the turn.

Very clean and smooth lines to this upper landing balcony, not overstated, just a graceful look to it.

Modernized Twist Fittings

This whole handrail systems has a great new updated look to it, almost made to look modernized. The dark rich colors accented with white balusters and trim, I feel changes what I would think was originally all stained and a color similar to the floor. The racetrack detailing in the floor is a great detail from this period.

A nice picture of the baluster profile and view from the back of the Twisted Rail Cap, Again looking at this I feel they have really done a great job of updating the look of this old handrail system.

Just an incredible view looking down through the stairwell, the transitions are smooth and graceful. The overall look is clean and simple, this would be a great picture to show a homeowner thinking of updating there stair and handrail system.

Here's dust in your face....

I just came across this web site called You Tube, have you heard of it? Its fun , people post interesting videos...  Can you say better late then never.

Here are a few videos I made this week of projects we are currently working on....

Putting my money where my mouth is... Look mom no hands....

**No fingers were injured in making these videos **

Twisted Rail Cap

   This stair and handrail system is a great example of a well designed stairwell, and that it doesn't have to be this grand staircase to be beautiful and well detailed. I really like the mix of material, from the octagon starting newel post, "Twisted Rail Cap" with a crazy finial on top, to the pin top square block fluted newel posts. The raised panel and scroll stair bracket is one of my favorite looks on the side of the stair... Makes the side of the stair into its own little piece of art

Twisted Examples

 I laughed when I first saw this picture, but I may a different sense of humor then most, after focusing on the main stair in the picture in all its glory, I noticed a the stair to left "photo bombing" the picture.

There are a few examples of Large octagon newel posts featuring maple veneered inset panels. The look had to be very dramatic when it was first installed because it still looks great 120 years later.

           This example of 180 Twisted transition is very appealing to me do to the width of the stair cylinder making the turn long and graceful. It also adds a lot of detail to a normally looking scissor type stair design.

    Here is almost the opposite of the the picture above, where the turn is tight and the handrail has to do alot of turning and twisting in a very small and tight area

Stacked 180 Circular Stairs

     I am a sucker for stacked circular stairs in any shape or design. Having 2 stairs stacked on top of each other and tying all the handrail components into each other takes time and design skill not seen in every stair company

 Free standing upper stair poses its own challenges in trying to keep any bounce out of it and have it stay in place, The handrail flows down smoothly and transitions well into the lower stair.

Twisted Volutes

                                     

                                                                                                         

Stair Parts Catalog

To see more go to our Pinterest site at:

 https://www.pinterest.com/TwistedHandrail/old-catalog-ads/

Square Rail Caps

To see more examples of ramp easings go to our Pinterest site:

https://www.pinterest.com/TwistedHandrail/ramp-easing/

    I really like this look of square rail caps on top of square block top newel posts
both of these examples seem to make it look simple and easy.

Long ramp easings add to the detail of the transitions at the landings and
add a graceful flow to the handrail.

This example adds barley twisted newel posts with carved urns above the lower turnings.

Again ramp easing are used again to add nice 

graceful climb up to the newel posts

Great view of changing pitches on the handrail as it flows up to the 2nd floor, 

Saddleback upeasings add a great detail to the landing balcony. 

Square rail caps and cut corners on the cuts add dimension to the square caps.

Twisted Turnout

Very unique handrail and newel post detailing, the handrail profile is wrapped around the newel posts and than a 2 piece cap is installed on top of that. The newel post also have very fancy carvings on the main body and then a second lower section. Saddleback balcony handrail add a degree of elegance to the level balconies and the ramp easing leading to the second floor.

    A very attractive Twisted Turnout and hollow turned newel post, The stained and painted handrail detail was popular in the Philadelphia area through this period and there are many examples of it in famous houses in the area.

     Here is another example of the stained and painted handrail detail, The handrail is usually around 4" tall and very detailed.

Stacked 180 U shape

 Good view of the Twisted Volute and incredible 180 degree U shape staircase, this massive heavy handrail works well on the stair and layout.

2nd floor hallway with a nice little radius handrail leading up to the 2nd to 3rd floor stair, take a look at the radius 5' wainscoting echoing the the handrail on the outside wall....wish we could do more of that today.

Looking down through the stairwell, just incredible craftsmanship and quality. You can also really see the Quarter Sawn white oak treads. The two tone stain finish adds to the overall appearance. Just don't trip and take a header out the window...

Nice Twisted Quarter Turn

2 nice examples of Twisted Quarter Turns takes this basic design detail and makes it graceful and flowing. The balusters have a great amount of detail and flutes.

Beautiful foyer and octagon newel post, and rail cap. The longer straight upper stair adds

a little more space to put in a couple twist fittings.

        Nice Octagon newel post, with beaded edges....crazy balusters.

Seeing Doubles

Great view looking down from above really shows how the stair design 

will create a incredible "Twisted Volute" and Cur Tail bullnose

    This view reminds me of a Plate in a stairbuilding book I have, almost text book design

Hallway Return

This box posts shows a few very unique design details, such as a little raised panel above the lower box section, Round top middle panel is really hard to make. Twisted upeasing starts at the post and works its way up the stairs

    You never really see a level return handrail, here is a good example, 

this hallway has a lot handrail detail in a small area....awesome

Cantilevered Winder Treads

This was built by a master stairbuilder.... 10 on the difficulty level.

The time spent in designing and laying out the winder is obvious in these pictures.

Long graceful ramp easing makes up the height difference in the winders.

 

Great view looking up at the bottom of the winder tread boxes...some fine workmanship..

Twisted Turnout

                                                     

Fine looking "Twisted Turnout" fits this stair perfectly, and another example
of the twists on the newel posts turn down towards the stair.

 Great view as you enter the front door, makes a nice statement and offers a lot
of detail to the stairscase

This is a great example of a 'Twisted Turnout" I have found many examples of this handrail detail

and they all seems to be used with twisted newel posts and balusters. The stair brackets are raised panels with a detailed scroll behind it I feel this is a old England stair detail.

The "Twisted Turnout" creates a very graceful elegant entry on to the staircase,
The baluster profile and alternating pattern makes this look very detailed.

This is a very unique handrail profile, its very wide with 3 step down edges,

 the profile running through the rail caps is a very nice look.