Expressive Entryways

Grand staircases, carved stone, mosaics make for memorable first impressions

Marketplace-Spring Homes of Distinction 2005
By: Cheryl Hentz

Your home’s entryway; it’s the first thing guests see when they arrive and it sets the tone for the rest of the house.

In reality, the entryway may be the farthest point many visitors get into your home. What that means is those visitors’ first impression of you and your home could very well be their last. Your home’s entryway determines the statement you make to those temporary guests.

Is it any wonder that more and more people are investing money and personal touches into their home’s foyer?

Artfully designed doors, stonework and pillars can add drama to the outside. In the foyer, mosaic floor designs, polished wood and decorative lighting can heighten the effect. To make an impression in a big way, some homeowners choose the classic design element of a grand staircase as a foyer centerpiece.

“We used to sell what we call standard stairways for maybe an 8-foot high ceiling and with maybe 14-foot risers. They would cost anywhere between $5,000 and $15,000,” says Sharon Kressin, co-owner of Arcways in Neenah. “Now, we’re seeing people go to a real high-end market – at least at our company. Everything is very custom. The medium price range is probably $25,000 to $35,000. It’s not unusual to have jobs that are over $100,000. The complexion of the business has really changed over the years.”

She says that in many cases people are designing their own stairways to compliment their personal taste and desires. It’s not just in how the stairway looks; it’s how they’re crafted as well.

“We’re talking everything from exotic types of wood for us to use, different handrails, balusters and so forth, for their own personal look.” Kressin explains, “Some are very wide open, some have very tight curves and some of the stairways are s-shaped. They are all very unique design, depending on their personal taste. It’s endless as to what can be done!”

“Wrought-iron balusters are really hot. They’ve been popular for a few years now,” Kressin says, and she sees their popularity growing. Some specialty balusters are also imported from Spain and Italy to meet clients’ needs. “They’re hand-carved and have a real unique design. They’re a very hot item right now, too. People seem to want a very ornate look,” Kressen says.

One other trend Kressin says they’re seeing people requesting stone treads and risers on their stairways. “We use marble, travertine or granite. That’s a whole other look and they may faux paint the skirt boards to look like they’re stone. Then we’ll put a fancy wood turning from Spain on the stairway and create an elaborate look,” she says.

Decorative tile floors are also becoming more prevalent; especially in entryways. Tile colors run the gamut. “The entryway is the area everybody sees right away, so people tend to be a bit more daring,” says Kathy Conard, co-owner of CTI of Wisconsin (Concrete Technology, Inc.). “And they’re using a little bit more of the darker colors these days. We never seem to do two floors the same, so colors and styles can be tweaked to the owner’s liking. We’ve done homes with everything ranging from brown tones to marble black and gray to blues.”

Even concrete approaches to front doors are making more of a statement these days. And many are doing so with a brick or stone-type look, something the Conard says can be done very simply with a special type of solid spray.

“Other than appearance, safety issues are concerns that are somewhat encouraging this,” she says. “The spray, once applied, is almost like salt-resistant. Being in Wisconsin you can put the salt out and it melts the ice, but you don’t have to worry about it peeling or popping your concrete.”

“The exterior of your home can be done in a classy, tasteful manner that exudes elegance,” says Rob Ripley, owner of Carved Stone Creations in Kaukauna. For example, a quartz slate exterior can be applied to the exterior walls of a building in the same manner as putting down a tiled floor. The result is very bold, yet rich and unique looking. “People are looking for something that lasts; something that’s quality; and something that’s one of a kind,” explains Ripley.
One of the things Ripley says he is getting a lot of requests for is custom mosaics on floors, including those in the entryway areas.

“We inventory about 60,000 square feet of stone that can be used on the floor. There are so many different designs it’d make your head spin,” he says. “Sometimes people use mosaics on the walls, too. We see a lot of statues, stone columns and wall fountains going in front entryways. Even grand staircases embellished with stone are becoming somewhat popular.”

There are several reasons for peoples’ interest in stone. “The most important thing with stone is there are no two pieces ever alike. They are as unique as the people who are putting them in,” Ripley says. “Plus stone also has an enduring characteristic to it. It has that classic look that you’ve seen in castles and fancy homes in Florida or California. Mansions, always, always have stone. And in the past five years, I would venture to guess that the stone prices have dome down dramatically; probably as much as 50 percent. And the stones – which are absolutely beautiful – are being harvested in many different countries including Brazil, the Philippines and here in the States as well.”

From a practical standpoint, stonework appreciates in value rather than depreciating.

The motto at Carved Stone Creations is, “Nothing is impossible. If you can see it in your mind it can be made real.”

Ripley says that even though society has become somewhat accustomed to faux finishes and faux everything, there is a movement to bring back the real McCoy. Not only is the cost not that much more, it’s worth it, he says. In the end, it will outlive the owner.