Looking back at one of our standout projects and award winners —and this Minnetonka stairway still stops us in our tracks.
This 1984 home had great bones, but the centrally located staircase felt heavy, dated, and blocked the lake views our homeowners loved. Their vision was clear: a contemporary showstopper that would complement the newly remodeled kitchen, mudroom, and dining spaces—while still honoring budget goals and working within the existing structure.
The challenge? Maintaining a floating tread look while correcting non-code spacing and reducing the visual weight of oversized oak elements. Our solution was thoughtful and precise. We removed non-supportive columns, reworked the existing structure, and custom-fit new oak box treads engineered to meet code. Heavy oak posts and stringers were refined, smoothed, and lightened to create a clean backdrop, allowing natural light and lake views to flow freely through the main floor.
A modern steel railing replaced bulky wood, adding contrast, safety, and a quiet architectural edge.
The result is a staircase that doesn’t shout—but commands attention. Two years later, it remains a defining moment in this home and a reminder of what’s possible when design, craftsmanship, and problem-solving align.
Here’s to revisiting the projects that remind us why we love what we do.
Photo: Landmark Photography
Design: Senior Designer, Cherie Poissant | Boyer Building
Selections for the multi-space project: Natalie Talley, Talley Jane Interiors