Its all about size

[Gotstairs]

This volute can even make Jim Baldwin jealous, or well maybe Jim even made it. Its an awesome piece of work.

[Baldwin]

Shall I be an over-critical ass? (why not)

You know I love this kind of stuff but this one is not quite right (and no, I'm not jealous).

The volute is way to big for the stair and the balusters have no room except "standing room only". This is a case of a "monumental volute" dominating and over-powering a mediocre stair.

I don't believe this is something old or classic but a contemporary attempt to recreate it. While I do admire the extraordinary workmanship and attention to detail, these things alone can't compensate or correct for design blunders.

There is both art and science in building stairs and the "art part" requires a certain balance and harmony. This stair (in my opinion) is over-burdened and out-of-balance by the over-sized volute and it's heavy forest of balusters.

The volute could have been half the size and still magnificent. It could have been made with more descent of the rail itself. As it is, the gradual descending of the handrail is almost unobservable (it might as well have been made completely flat). The decorative newel under the "eye of the scroll" (if there is one) is hidden from view.

While artwork alone is purely objective, attempts at classic construction should follows some discipline of form and fore-thought.

Well I'm just having fun here. This stair is truly magnificent. I'm only playing stair-god.

[JAlvis]

I agree that it appears oversized. Although I dont think its reflection of the craftsmanship which is impressive. This might be a situation when you are building to spec or homeowners requirements. Often times thats what being a good builders is......giving the client what they want.

[Baldwin]

Exactly...that's why I've said "extraordinary workmanship...design blunder" (I fault the architect).

Considering the size and diameter of the first step which would typically be the foundation-base for the "wedding cake" second step. This would be smaller along with the handrail scroll.

Three balusters per-step dictates the closed spacing around the volute. A volute with a diameter exceeding two feet, presents a circular cluster exceeding the size of a full exterior column! (Visually, exterior columns bear the weight of the whole building.)

"Design Balance" is the key to harmonious composition in any art form including classic construction. (A sanctimonious statement coming from an "unschooled finish carpenter" but still true.)

I like blaming architects...of course they create everything including problems.

[Gotstairs]

I was thinking it must have been fun carrying that thing into the house, I would love to see more pics of it. Maybe it is from Texas where they want everything big.

[dgbldr]

We have a practical test here for a painter's license. They make them paint those balusters :)

[joseph]

great review .I saw it the other day and was not impressed like I expected .Now I understand why .This is the info I put into all my projects .So often I build it then realize something is wrong .Jim -great review .