Skip to main content

Current Project

Hickory Staircase

Designer: Kodama

Completed: June 2025

We designed this custom U-shaped staircase for a private residence to coordinate with the "modern cottage" style they envisioned for their Hobe Sound retreat. Balancing rustic and contemporary elements, the staircase pairs the bold character of hickory wood with a sleek floating structure.

We replaced the walls that surrounded the foyer with custom-designed hickory shelving, creating an L-shaped screen that enhances the openness of the main living area. Not only is the staircase an impressive sight as guests enter the house, but also a central design element, visible throughout the living area. Integrated dimmable lighting illuminates both shelving and stairs. A carefully matched stain aligns the staircase and shelving with existing upper-level flooring, ensuring cohesion throughout the home.

The result is a sculptural centerpiece that defines the heart of this family home.

Project Images

Original staircase during demolition

Original staircase layout

Gluing staircase treads with clamps

Gluing up treads

Unfinished hickory shelving in shop

Shop build of the shelving

Partially installed stair treads

Shop build of the stairs

Hickory veneer on curved stringers

Veneering the stringers

Color-matching staircase stringers to floor

A perfect color match to the flooring

Installed stringers without treads

Installed stringers

Installing hickory shelving with low-voltage lighting

Setting the shelves

Stringers with tread mortises and low-voltage wiring

Working on the low voltage lighting

Installing wooden newel posts and handrails

Installing the newel posts

Nearly complete staircase with inner handrail

Installing the inner handrail

Nearly complete staircase with outer handrail

Installing the outer handrail

Project Videos

Video title
Stringer layout and tread install in the shop | Custom Hickory Staircase
🔈 Click speaker to unmute
Video title
Floating staircase fabrication walkthrough | Custom Hickory Staircase
🔈 Click speaker to unmute
Video title
Floating hickory stairs install begins | Custom Hickory Staircase
🔈 Click speaker to unmute
Video title
Curved stringers being installed | Custom Hickory Staircase
🔈 Click speaker to unmute

Project Archives