Take the Tour!----- 1. Project Overview 2. Builder 3. Neighborhood 4. Friends 5. Head Decorator----- ROOMS 6. Sherilyn's Room 7. Bonus Room 8. Teenage Bedroom Suite 9. Guest Suite 10. Master Suite 11. Dining Room 12. Home Theatre 13. Kitchen (Cabinets) 14. Kitchen (Appliances) 15. Kitchen (Countertop) 16. Family Room----- FEATURES 17. Details 18. Water System 19. Tile 20. Elevator 21. Staircase 22. Building Materials 23. Roof 24. Concrete Masonry 25. Concrete Countertops 26. Landscape & Hardscape 27. Pool

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NHI DREAM HOME | STAIRCASE



BY CORNELIA RUSSO/PHOTO BY RAY STRAWBRIDGE
WINTER 2005 ISSUE

Imagine the architectural feat and human determination in designing the famous spiral staircases of the Statue of Liberty and the Washington Monument!

Feel the physical challenge and exhilaration as you ascend the narrow staircase of an Outer Banks’ lighthouse. See the beauty of the “Grand Salon Staircase” on the Titanic! Or picture the surprise and childlike delight in people’s faces when they first rode an escalator set of stairs! With their notable twists and turns, these staircases among others have taken this everyday home staple to new heights and drama.

So too, does the impressive, customized circular and self-supporting staircase of the NHI Dream Home. It has been designed and fabricated in no fewer than 150 hours by Port City Staircase and Jeff King. This spectacularly appointed home is actually filled with several Port City staircases. In harmony they dutifully yet gracefully transport visitors throughout the home and its dream amenities.

However, the grandeur and the individuality of the principal staircase in the entrance foyer command our attention. It rises within a large exterior turret located next to the front door. Arched windows at several stages add light play and a peep at exterior views as the staircase twists in its ascent. Its huge presence, characterized by wrought iron balustrades, extra wide steps, and
turned handrail, beckons those who enter the home to travel its upward path. The design extends at the top into a catwalk from which one can enjoy a look down at the foyer, the exterior porte cochere and circular drive, and the living room with fabulous forest and pool vistas. Underneath you can’t help but marvel at the engineering involved as the weighty staircase curves, pitches and rolls!

Drawing closer to experience the details, you notice the staircase is wider at the bottom. The first few wedged-shaped treads on which you place your feet have a curved front edge. They are constructed of an unusual and very dense rainforest hardwood known as ipea, pronounced epay. This “ironwood,” as it is nicknamed, is almost mahogany in color. The birch risers are painted the traditional white. At that moment your hand touches and feels the smoothly carved Honduras mahogany handrail. The helical volutes and cylinders upon which the staircase sits were so angle specific and required such precision that each one had to be hand carved. Each matches the particular pitch and radius of their respective sides. The hand-forged, scrolled wrought iron ornamental work has a reoccurring overlapping “S” configuration and dark pewter patina that create an Old World look. Its pattern catches your eye and rhythmically entertains you during your journey.

This stunning staircase works deftly hand in hand with a stained glass ceiling accent overhead and a baby grand piano nestled under its span. The related colors and wood tones of all three elements complement one another and set a dramatic stage. The multi-colored rosette motif of the stained glass and the curve of the piano also echo the curve of the staircase, a real statement piece! Every detailed aspect and turning has been meticulously calculated and crafted.

Once upstairs, you are like an ebullient mountain climber enjoying the rewarding views and recalling the interesting ascent. You hear yourself sharing with your friends the joy of this wondrous staircase or maybe you just grin slightly reveling in the uniqueness of your moment. ▪

CORNELIA RUSSO IS A LOCAL INTERIOR DESIGNER AND DECORATOR WHO ENJOYS WRITING ON DESIGN TOPICS.

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