The staircase might be my favorite before-and-after moment in this entire home. Before, the carpeted stairs, darker wood tones, ornate ironwork, and open railing around the basement stairs made this large space feel heavy and visually busy. Because the staircase is visible from nearly every angle, we knew a surface-level update wouldn’t be enough. We removed the carpet and replaced the treads and risers, adding warm white oak treads, crisp painted risers, new handrails, and cleaner black ironwork. We also enclosed the open basement stair railing with drywall, simplifying the architecture and giving the entire staircase a much cleaner look. Was it a big investment? Absolutely. Staircase renovations are rarely the quiet little line item we hope they’ll be! But this one was well worth it because it transformed one of the home’s most prominent architectural features—and improved the function of the surrounding spaces, too. By enclosing the basement stairs, we gained a defined wall on the opposite side for a console, lamp, and art—creating a true entry moment. From there, we repeated the black metal and natural wood throughout the family room, helping the staircase, entry, and living spaces feel connected without looking overly coordinated. The staircase went from something that visually weighed down the the home to a sculptural focal point, and the perfect bridge between the home’s rustic and contemporary elements. Design // @peggyhaddadinteriors Photography // @amandaproudfit peggyhaddadinteriors ModernRusticDesign StaircaseDesign OpenConceptLiving RusticContemporary DenverInteriorDesigner