Staircases in a home are often a distinguishing feature, but I find they are too often ignored in property descriptions.  Spending a little time describing them adds texture to your property descriptions that is appealing to buyers.

There are a few basic parts you may consider describing:  

A.  The Tread - this is the flat surface that you put your foot upon ... the "top" of the step.  What's it made of  .... Wood? Hardwood? Travertine tile? Marble? Is it carpeted?

B. The Riser - this is the upright piece between each tread and may or may not be the same material as the stairs. 

I once drew a two-story home in an elegant high rise,  and the tread was "Black Galaxy" Granite and the riser was stainless steel. Those of you who are familiar with this type of granite may recall it is jet-black in color --- with little mica chips in it that reflect light and fluoresce. This was an elegant  staircase in an art-deco style foyer, and the combination of black granite treads with stainless steel risers was breathtaking in the photos.... it sparkled and looked like stardust.

The photo to the right is from a public building in NY state, but note the embossed risers over what appear to be marble treads.

Notice also in this same photo,  the elaborately carved newel post (E) and the detailed ornamental iron scrollwork balustrade (C)... yup... they don't make them like this anymore!

C.  The Baluster - this is the upright standard that forms the railing or balustrade. A single one is a baluster ... a series of them in a row is called the balustrade. What's it made of ..... wood? Hardwood? Stone? Wrought iron? Are they carved?

The photo below shows a baluster style currently popular in new construction. It is called "twist-and-basket" and is made of wrought iron. It always reminds me of licorice sticks that come in twists. Notice also in this photo that "single" twist-and-basket balusters alternate with "double" twist-and-basket balusters.  I don't expect you'd go to this detail in your property descriptions ... I was just pointing it out to you as a matter of style.

D.  The Banister - this is the hand-rail on top of the balustrade. Is it wood? Hardwood? Carved? Metal? Curving? Are there one or two of them?

E.  The Newel Post - the balustrade may terminate at a single post at the foot of the stairs. There also may also be a series of these spaced evenly up the staircase. What's it made of ... is it carved?

F.  The Stairwell - is it block-paneled, or have wainscoting? Are there wall-mounted uplights or sconce lighting? Is there a window? Are there recessed art niches?

G.  Accessories - are there tread lights or step lighting? gilding or gilt accents? a dramatic hanging light fixture?  A second wall-mounted handrail in addition to the banister? etc.

Now let's take a stab at putting these individual pieces together to form a description. Since you are now familiar with the individual parts, read the descriptions below and see if they give you a  "word-picture" in your mind - can you "see" it?

()  Curving stairway with hardwood treads, wool carpet runner secured with polished brass stair rods, and dual scrolled ironwork balustrades topped with twin curled hardwood banisters

()  Curved, suspended staircase with hardwood treads, wood-spindled balustrade and mahogany handrail gracefully ascending to the 2^nd level

()  Staircase with travertine treads, travertine risers, wrought iron twist-and-basket balustrade and custom forged iron banister

()  Dramatic staircase curving to 2^nd level with marble treads, mahogany banister atop scrolled ironwork bronze-tone balustrade with gilded and embossed accent medallions on the outside of each tread

()  Staircase with block-paneled wainscoting, hardwood treads, wood-spindled balustrade, hardwood banister and block-paneled newel post with lighted cut-crystal acorn finial

()  Carpeted stairs to third floor with turned-wood balustrade set in wood footing, hardwood banister and wall-mounted hardwood handrail

In a SMARTePLAN different symbols and drawing techniques are used to visually portray the various features found in staircases ... so we REALLY pay attention when we're onsite --- because not only do we have to describe it so it is a feature showcased in for YOUR property descriptions --- but we also have to draw it!

Thanks for dropping by!

Judith, The Floor Plan Lady

You can view samples of staircases inside a SMARTePLAN on my web page at www.smarteplans.com

 Click Here to see Realtors in Houston who use SMARTePLANS for their listings.

Photos are courtesy of Buffalo Architecture & History

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 Stairway Make Overs in Texas - Offices in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio & Austin - www.stairwaymakeovers.com

WANT TO HAVE SOME FUN!!

CLICK HERE to Design your Stairs Online with their Interactive Website  .... Select baluster styles and drag them onto the template...Pick out a Newel post... change your mind and do it again...it's fun!  It's also a good reference source to book-mark --- as it can help you look-up design names and styles when you write your descriptions.

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SMARTePLANS have photos embedded inside the floor plan that launch with a mouse click .... each photo arrow is positioned in the plan where the photographer was standing --- so you can see where he was and what he was aiming at when he took the shot ... in relationship to the drawing. Beneath the photo is a description of that room. Once the photo launches you have a choice to link back to the floor plan and choose another photo, or read the amenities text for the WHOLE property (not just that particular room).  All the files are inter-linked so you can seamlessly click around this property, viewing the photos and reading the descriptions.  This is not a video ... you choose what you want to view ... or not

[NOTE: SMARTePLANS are PDF files so they magnify to over 100%. When the file launches, click "View" on the top toolbar and make sure there is a checkmark next to the toolbar named "Select and Zoom". Every time you tap the plus key inside the circle the view screen enlarges (the minus key shrinks the magnification); and the magnifying glass with the plus sign in it marquee selects a specfic area of the drawings to be enlarged. Using the hand key and the scroll bars, its easy to move around inside the file, and then magnifying the features you want to see.]

© SMARTePLANS 2010  - The compilation above is the original creative work and copyrighted property of Judith Sinnard. You may link to this content. However, it may not be copied, nor reproduced in any form or format in whole or in part without the express written permission of Judith Sinnard