A local client had a multi-part problem: a stairwell and landing in need of railings, an exploratory dog, and stair safety concerns with a baby on the way. And they wanted a unified and elegant design. They were pleased with the results in this full custom steel system, including kid-resistant gate and bespoke latch design. Made from scratch to fit the style, and to meet the functional challenges of the space with intentionality.
Five main pieces: stair rail, landing rail, wall-mounted handrail, gate, and floor plate to cover an old HVAC hole. The baluster panel design is a geometric rectangular layout – clean and minimal. Inspired by mid-century modern aesthetics, executed with a clean, contemporary industrial finish. All welded steel, powder coated with a bit of an eggshell finish in black. My powder coater’s work has been tried and tested – rock solid after a decade on on my steel front bumper, through all the salt of winter and pushing branches on trails – so it should last generations in this application.
The brass wall brackets on the handrail (see the companion post on those) were a final touch addition to the project, a suggestion I made to really firm up the handrail functionally and aesthetically. The brass features as a highlight on the ends of the handrail, accentuated by the brass gate hinge bushings and grease zerks.
The gate was the most involved piece. It swings on bullet hinges mounted to 1/2” steel plate, each with a pair of all-thread rods bolted all the way through 13 inches of brick wall – what used to be an exterior wall of the house. Don’t tell their kiddo, but I could ride on this gate without moving it, and I’m a big fella.
The latch employs a two-stage system I designed: lift-and-slide for easy one-handed adult access from either side, with a secondary pin lock on the back for when a toddler may start figuring out stage one. A strong pressed-in magnet with leather cover pads makes for a delightful soft ding sound when closing, and just enough of a light touch push to dislodge it on opening. A leather pad on the inside of the sliding latch also makes a perfect fit and captures the railing without scratching any of the finish over time.
We determined that the design would ideally leave the railing untouched and without add-on pieces, figuring for the time when they’ll outgrow the need for the baby gate. Then the railing will stand nicely on its own if they just want to leave the gate open. I made a hold-open plate on the wall that works with the back-side of the magnet, so it doesn’t swing free, and can be stowed there in the near or long term use cases.
I went with a 2×2 post for the stair railing – maybe bigger than it needed to be functionally, but it felt like the right balance visually to anchor this end. I cut some triangles and welded up a little pyramid cap that feels nice to the touch when you instinctively put your hand here on your way up or down.
