| Lighting is an important element of stairway | | | | down a wall or if they dangle aimlessly over a top |
| design. This does not need to be especially bright, | | | | step. In such cases a single drape, swagged to |
| but the risers and treads should be bathed in | | | | one side with a chunky rope tie-back can look |
| sufficient light to ensure that they can be | | | | most effective. Shutters offer another solution |
| distinguished. Ceiling-fixed down-lighters provide | | | | and can take on decorative importance if echoing |
| ideal lighting so long as suitable fixing points are | | | | the outline of an attractively shaped window. |
| available. Alternatively, wall-fixed lights (either | | | | Should privacy not be of concern, an unadorned |
| downlighters or uplighters) will provide good | | | | window can be framed with a painted stencil |
| illumination, but these should not protrude | | | | border on the surrounding wall. Another suggestion |
| dangerously into the stair space and care should | | | | involves fixing glass shelves across the front of |
| be taken to ensure that glare from bulbs is not | | | | the window to display a collection of beautifully |
| viewed while either descending or ascending the | | | | colored glassware or healthy plants. The best way |
| stairs. | | | | of dealing with an unattractive window is to |
| The small landing formed where stairs change | | | | minimize its importance by treating it in the |
| direction can provide a useful platform for an | | | | simplest manner possible and by selecting a fabric |
| interesting decorative treatment. If space permits, | | | | to blend in with the surrounding wall color. The |
| a grouping of console table and one or two chairs | | | | eye can be further distracted from an ugly |
| will transform this otherwise rather boring area. | | | | window by hanging dramatic pictures on adjacent |
| Stair windows come in all shapes and sizes - | | | | walls or by fitting an attention-grabbing floor |
| sometimes in the form of a feature to be | | | | covering. |
| embellished upon, but all too often an architect's | | | | Spiral staircases continue in popularity. They offer |
| disaster to be disguised. If you are lucky enough | | | | a solution where space is at a premium and can |
| to possess one of elegant proportions, much can | | | | look most decorative. But beware: they take up |
| be made of this. The contours of an interestingly | | | | more space than you might imagine and are |
| shaped window are best preserved by fixing the | | | | generally not as easy to negotiate as conventional |
| treatment within the reveal, and this is one | | | | stairways. It pays to plan ahead - if you intend to |
| situation where a festoon blind or festoon curtain | | | | introduce children or the elderly into your home, |
| can be deemed appropriate. | | | | this style of stair-case may prove a hindrance. |
| Curtains do not look good if they stop half-way | | | | |