February 5, 2009
Will the stair fit? Drumroll, please...
For any naysayers out there, our prized, 1930s cast-iron spiral staircase was successfully installed by Stephen Dijanic of DVS Iron & Aluminum Works last week. The actual, dramatic installation will be featured in one of the TV episodes.
Kevin and I never doubted the perfect "fit" of the vintage, "one-of-a-kind" staircase for our unique layout and beautiful woodwork on the parlor floor―or Mike's ability to install it. As you can see, it is an wonderful focal point for our "library" (center parlor) and will look even more spectacular once it is cleaned up and repainted. One of our favorite features of the stair is the brass handrail with its graceful curvature and lamb's tongue detail at the bottom.
Here's the story behind this piece:
Last year, while still house hunting, I noticed this gorgeous, cast iron staircase for sale on Brownstoner's Forum. Several months later, after we had signed a contract to buy our house and devised a plan to have a 1st/2nd floor duplex sandwiched by two rental apartments (one long-term and one short-term), we found ourselves in need of just such a staircase. Our architect, Susanne Lyn, recommended a few places to find new, nondescript metal or wood ones. We kept remembering the vintage one and thought about trying to contact the seller. One day we saw another post that the staircase was still available! So, we confirmed with Susanne that it was the correct height (11 ft, the height of our parlor ceiling), negotiated a great price, and that weekend, Kevin went to Park Slope to pick up the disassembled staircase and transport it, step by step, to our house. It is a heavy staircase, even in pieces.
Then, the 14 steps and handrail sat on the ground
floor of our house for four months patiently awaiting their grand
debut (we did not expect it to be nationally televised!). Here's a
before shot of the support pole.
In October, shortly after work began, Mike broke the bad news to us. The staircase was actually three inches too short for our house. Luckily, Mike and Stephen were able to devise a solution―shorten the whole staircase to enable the top landing to end one full step below the 2nd floor. This may sound simple, but it required DVS to shorten each of the solid, cast iron steps by 1/8 inch.
Well, we are thrilled with the staircase that we almost lost and almost did not fit! Thank you Stephen of DVS for your superb work and Mike Streaman, always, for your amazing problem-solving ability!
(14) Comments
Comment on this BlogI love your skirt. But, I must say I like the green one better.
we love you mommy and we can't wait to run up and down the stairs!
My husband and I are enjoying the show. I really liked the baby sling you had in the first episode. Would you mind sharing where you got it? I have been scouring the internet to find one similar, but no luck so far.
Karen & Kevin:
Wow, what an incredible find! The vintage staircase really adds beauty and character to the space.
Even in new construction, building a proper staircase takes no small amount of skill and attention to detail, as even the slightest variation in the height (rise) of the stairs can easily trip the user. I can imagine that retrofitting a staircase into an old space is even trickier for the very same reason.
Since this is a vintage staircase, the spindles are further apart than modern building codes would allow. In such a case, is an exception to the building code granted because of the staircase’s age, or does the code not apply because the staircase is installed in a private residence?
Congratulations again on a great find, and kudos to your builder for successfully retrofitting the staircase into the space. It looks terrific.
Best regards,
Tom
The house is so beautiful and it's very fortunate to have so many original details, which is why I'm very sad about the decision to put a spiral stair right in between the parlor rooms. I guess what it really boils down to is that these homes are so expensive now that the owners must chop up the original space and rent two and sometimes three apartments in order to live comfortably. I wish this neighborhood and others were still affordable enough for an owner to have just the garden floor as the rental unit (as was very common in brownstone living up unitl recent decades) I'm sure you would have prefered to have the whole triplex for your growing family. With two original separate entrances to the house, it's ideal for an owner/tenant setup.
The staircase is very nice, but would look much better in the back of the house leading to the garden IMHO.
are there separate stairs to the 2 rental units. it looked as though they would have access to the house..
First- great house and good luck!
How have you dealt with the lead paint issue? Given the young age of your kids and that you will have two rental units how have you addressed NYC's very tough lead paint abatement requirements?
Thanks.
KAZ
Good luck with that spiral staircase! Personnally I don't like them - too dizzying!!
I must say that the spiral staircase looks wonderful in your house. Thank You for letting us be a part of this wonderful expierence. All the best of luck.
Is there additional access to the upper floor? How do you get a large mattress or box spring up a spiral staircase?
I just watched the final episode and it seems like this staircase was not installed correctly. When you walk up the stairs you have to then turn left to get off the stairs instead of walking straight which is how it should be installed. Did anyone else notice this. That would really be ackward to use very often.
I like a spiral staircase, we have one in our place. But if I recall, building code allows a spiral staircase only as a secondary staircase. How did you get this past the building inspector. This staircase is going to be a problem with children and carrying thems up and down.
How have you dealt with the lead paint issue? Given the young age of your kids and that you will have two rental units how have you addressed NYC's very tough lead paint abatement requirements?
I love the idea of a spiral staircase. It does not only save space, but it also adds beauty to the house.