Modernizing a Split Level – Part 1
Split levels were the suburban rage in the mid-1950’s and 60’s. Modernizing them can be a bit tricky. In this entryway there are several changes – all non-structural that spell modern:
- Stainless Steel Cable Railings replace old-fashioned wood newel posts and ballisters.
- The blue and white wall-to-wall carpet gave way to a modern rust runner
- The wall up the stairs was clad in large scale charcoal porcelain tile.
- The doorway was filled with a modern pocket door that tucks away when not needed.
- a single ceiling fixture was replaced with monorail lighting with custom diffusers.
- the front closet doors were also switched out to doors that match the pocket door (without the lattice) — not shown here.
"Before"
All images courtesy of Braitman Design/Build
Jackie, I love the new stairway. It’s gorgeous! I have a 1940’s colonial. Would this type of treatment work as well for a colonial?
Carol – The very wide stairs and openness of the plan contributes to the success of the design in this post. Whether the components — stainless cable rail, porcelain tile, and so on — would work in your home really depends on the design of the stairway. If you would like to send me additional information you can do so on my website question page. I’ll also work on a longer post showing what types of modern treatments are right for different stair types.
[...] same porcelain tile. We also used that tile on the stairway wall in the adjoining entryway (see Modernizing a Split Level – Part 111). Consistency in use of materials helps unite all parts of the [...]