FitSugar

Would You Want a Floating Staircase?

CasaSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:00:14 -0700

I've seen a few floating staircases in the past and they certainly look cool. But I think I'm too much of a wimp not to have a banister. And they're definitely not very safe for children or the elderly. Would you want one in your house?

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The Best Way to Get Up

FitSugar — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:00:00 -0700

A new initiative from New York City Health Commissioner, Thomas Farley, is encouraging people to get off of elevators and take the stairs. I think it's great since taking the stairs is an easy first step to a healthier you. Take my quiz and test your knowledge of this heart healthy alternative to the elevator.

Question 1 of 5

What year was the StairMaster introduced?

Guess What These Banisters Were Wrapped With?

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:00:07 -0700

The banisters on the staircase in this San Francisco residence designed by Nicole Hollis were wrapped with a very affordable and common material, giving simple metal poles not only texture but also a graphic presence. Can you guess what they were wrapped with?

Do You Have a Spiral Staircase?

CasaSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:00:51 -0700

I love a grand, dramatic spiral staircase such as this one. But the narrow, very vertical kind you see on boats or small homes makes me feel a bit acrophobic. Do you have one?Source

Casa Quickie: Step Into Color

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:00:20 -0700

If you're in love with your white walls, but still want to add a hint of color to your life, take inspiration from this home. The stairs were painted an unexpectedly bright color, adding an infusion of freshness to the space. With otherwise neutral choices for the floors and walls, the staircase really stands out. It probably comes in handy for little ones learning to concentrate on climbing stairs, too, don't you think?

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Do You Decorate Your Stairwell?

CasaSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:00:22 -0700

Your stairwell may not be your first priority in decorating, but you can still make an impact there. Whether you go for an understated look with a trio of small photographs and a plant, or bold with a leopard-print stair runner, bright pink walls, and a glitzy chandelier, the space shouldn't be overlooked. If your front staircase lines up with your front door, it's the first impression your guests will have of your home. So, you should make sure it's a good representation of your taste. If not, you have more leeway to have fun and maybe be a little crazier than normal.

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Short on Gym Time? Be a Two-Timer

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Climbing stairs instead of taking the elevator is a great way to add quick bursts of exercise to your day, and here's a new twist on stair stepping: When climbing up, take the stairs two at a time. The effect is like combining the StairMaster and lunges. Really focus on the back of your leg and your booty as you climb. Think of your hamstrings and glutes pushing you up, rather than your quads pulling you up the stair. I think it feels great, but if you feel it in your knees you might just want to give this move a miss.

When it comes to taking the stairs, don't forget there are benefits to going down them as well!

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Love It or Hate It? Mirror Tiled Steps

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:00:30 -0700

You all seemed to love the tiled text staircase I showed you, which makes me think you may warm up to these mirror tiled steps. I think the juxtaposition of the old, wooden banister and the small mirrored tiles makes this look work. But on a modern staircase, it might look tacky and too disco. You must admit the light reflected by the tiles is beautiful, though. It's a good thing the tiles are petite, so you can't actually see your own reflection. What do you say? Yea or nay?
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Love It or Hate It? Tiled Text Staircase

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:00:22 -0700

The tiled French text in this staircase in the portfolio of stylist Laurence Pasquier translates to "I climb, You climb, He climbs, We climb." It's a little bit tongue-in-cheek, and I think it has a nice visual effect. But, it's not for everyone. What do you say?
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Love It or Hate It? Bold Stair Runner

CasaSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:00:37 -0700

I just watched the 1966 Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole film How to Steal a Million, which is chock-full of talking points when it comes to interior design. But the one thing that truly blew me away (aside from the armoire that leads to a secret staircase) was the purple staircase and banister in Hepburn's character's foyer. In contrast to the rest of the reserved, gilded, French furnishings in the Parisian mansion, the purple stair runner is a very bold choice. Several important scenes take place on the staircase, so it was smart of production designer Alexandre Trauner to make it a focal point. Clearly, the décor in this home is dated and a little glitzy for most of our tastes, and this shade of purple isn't very popular these days. But what do you think of this effect in general? Do you like how they've used a stair runner to create visual impact? Would you want to replicate a similar look in your home with a powerful color, pattern, or stripes?
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