Project Size: 

Project Location: Kirkland, WA

Part of: The Suncadia Home

An Open Riser Staircase Built for Movement and Light

The structure is designed to feel weightless. Open risers let daylight pass through each tread, so the staircase reads as a sculptural element rather than a solid mass.

  • Dark stained wood treads on a blackened steel stringer
  • Slim black metal spindles with matching wood handrails
  • Switchback configuration that opens up the full stairwell volume
  • Floor to ceiling black framed windows on the landing

The result is a staircase that feels transparent from every angle and keeps sightlines open to the forest outside.

Dining area in the Suncadia home with leather chairs and wood column in the foreground and the floating staircase with pendant cascade behind.
Wide view of the Suncadia great room with the dining table in the foreground and the floating staircase and teardrop pendant chandelier rising two stories behind.
Full view of the two story Suncadia staircase with floating wood treads, black metal railings, wood accent column, and the teardrop pendant cascade falling through the stairwell.
Close up of amber teardrop glass pendants beneath the floating wood treads and black steel railings of the Suncadia home staircase.

The Pendant Cascade Is the Defining Moment

Two stories of teardrop glass pendants drop through the center of the stairwell on thin cables. The effect from below, from the side, and especially looking down from the top landing is cinematic.

  • Amber toned smoked glass shades for a warm glow
  • Staggered drop heights to emphasize the full vertical volume
  • Single cluster instead of multiple light fixtures on each floor
  • Reads as sculpture during the day and chandelier at night

The cascade ties the main floor living areas to the upper level, giving every space in its line of sight a shared focal point.

Materials Chosen for Warmth Against the Mountain Setting

Suncadia homes sit in the middle of a pine forest, and this staircase was designed to feel grounded in that setting.

  • Dark wood treads that echo the tone of the wood columns and beams
  • Blackened steel that picks up the black window frames throughout the home
  • Wood accent column with rustic rope detail nearby for textural contrast
  • Wide plank flooring that carries through from the adjacent dining and living spaces
Close up of amber teardrop glass pendants beneath the floating wood treads and black steel railings of the Suncadia home staircase.
Side elevation of the Suncadia home staircase showing the switchback design, floating wood treads, black railings, and vertical pendant cascade against the landing window.
Suncadia dining room with gray leather chairs and rope wrapped wood column, looking past toward the floating staircase and pendant cascade beyond.
Dramatic overhead view down the Suncadia staircase showing switchback wood treads, black spindle railings, and the full teardrop pendant cascade.

Why the Staircase Works as a Centerpiece

A staircase in a vacation home is rarely just a way to get upstairs. In a house built for entertaining, it is one of the first things guests see and one of the last things they remember.

  • The floating structure keeps the main floor feeling open and connected
  • The pendant cascade gives a two story volume a sense of scale and drama
  • Black steel and dark wood tie the staircase to the speakeasy palette in the lounge
  • Forest views framed by the landing windows anchor the house in its setting

Explore the Full Suncadia Home

This staircase sits at the heart of the Suncadia home, connecting the dining area, lounges, game room, and upstairs retreats.

View the full Suncadia Home portfolio.

Let’s Create a Home That Reflects How You Live
Reach Out to Begin Your Design Journey.

How do I start a custom staircase project with Ariana Designs & Interiors?

Begin with a complimentary Private-Client Discovery Call where our team reviews your architecture, priorities, and vision, then proposes a tailored design plan shaped around how the staircase should live within your home.

The staircase combines a floating open riser structure with a two story teardrop pendant cascade, turning a functional circulation element into the architectural centerpiece of the 13,000 sq ft Suncadia retreat.

A cluster of amber toned teardrop glass pendants drops through the full two story stairwell on thin cables, staggered at different heights to emphasize vertical scale and read as sculpture from every angle.

The staircase layers dark stained wood treads, a blackened steel stringer, slim black metal spindles, and matching wood handrails, with wide plank flooring that carries through to the adjacent dining space.

Open risers let daylight pass between treads, keeping sightlines open to the surrounding forest through the floor to ceiling landing windows and making the staircase feel weightless inside the tall stairwell volume.

Become A Client

If you’re ready to collaborate with a team that values craftsmanship, creativity, and care, we invite you to connect with us. Furthermore, you can explore more of what we offer through ARIID Build & ARIID Home—each dedicated to delivering a seamless, elevated experience for your home.

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