Long Way Up

Great view looking up through this 4 story stair tower, just incredible. Even with the handrail and balusters being fairly plain the look  is very impressive.

I really like the swelled treads and Twisted volute on the outside rake rail. The inside handrail is very dramatic as it twists and drops down the level balcony handrail.

Even the hallway has a great view of this incredible handrail system.

I wish there was a view looking down....

Fine Detail

Incredible starting newel post, the carving and detailing is just a work of art. The graceful "Ramp Easing" adds a smooth flowing transition up to the newel post.

I like the grouping of the balusters, I wish there was a closer view to see how they are done.

The continuation of the raised panels across the balcony is a great look and I wish we could see more of this detailing in our work today.

How did they do that?

Old and New

                                                                                                   
This home is in one of Philadelphia's most prestige neighborhoods on Delancey Street. It was recently renovated, modernized and full of new modern details. But thankfully the maintained the graceful look of the original stair and handrail.

Modern wall hanging fit in well with the original handrail on the 3rd floor landing area. Square Rail caps installed over turned newel posts and square block balusters finish off this very traditional look handrail.

 This how the house looked when it was original built in the late 1800's, it hasn't changed much on the exterior in 150 years. I like the horse and buggy parked outside. Now all these streets are tree lined.

Stacked 180 Stairs

This is a very unique newel post, I wish I found more pictures of it, looks to have walnut burl veneers on the flat surfaces. The handrail is the traditional "Toad Back" profile, but looks wide so maybe 4".

Looking up the stairs you can see another winder unit and a incredible twisted 180° fitting.

Up on the 2nd floor hallway is a great example of "Twisted Handrail" with just can only be called works of art. I would love to see it in person. I think the turns are made of 4 separate parts and they are just about as hard as it gets to make...

Twist Fittings

Nice view looking down the stair handrail into the "Twisted Rail Cap" just a perfect clean look. The button cap on top of the rail cap also has a nice look to it and fits size wise very well.

Here is where the Handrailer earned his money, the 2 twist fittings that make up the 180° turn and also include a 4 Rise 2nd Up stair are just perfect, the layout and design of the stairs makes it so graceful and flowing.

Wrap around

I have seen this stair design a few times now and every time I am just amazed on how dramatic of a handrail system it creates, the look at the bottom of the stairs I think would stop most people in there tracks to take notice of the craftsmanship.

The starting newels are a little different the the normal octagon newel post, these have smooth tapered turned sections in the middle.Looking closely on top of the newel post are very tall turned finials that have lasted the test of time.

Starting Fitting

I like the detail and effect a few curved starting treads create. The twist fitting is more along the line of a turnout of today, but the graceful falling handrail is very dramatic.

On the 2nd floor hallway balcony the handrail switches to an over post square rail cap design on top of a turned newel post.

A very different look for sure.

Twisting and Turning

Here is a very nice sweeping "waterfall" twist fitting in the traditional "Toad Back" handrail profile.

A good view of the few feet of straight handrail on the project, the twist rail cap at the bottom make a serious turn to reach the newel post.

Close up view of the octagon starting newel post.

Looking at the picture below, I like the wood burl veneer on the octagon middle section of the starting newel post.