Foyers & Stairs

first IMPRESSIONS and everyday journeys

A good entrance does more than welcome you in; it sets the mood. It’s the first hint of what’s to come, quietly handling the practical stuff (coats, shoes, keys, mail) while introducing your style and sense of place. Staircases, too, carry more than just people—they carry the eye, the light, and the whole architectural story from one level to the next.

When we design a foyer, we think through the entire arrival sequence. How does the door swing open? What’s the first thing you see? How does the light move through the space? Maybe it’s a gracious entry with a vintage console and standout lighting in a historic Bloomington home. Or perhaps it is a sleek, storage-smart landing in a contemporary build. Either way, the goal is the same: to create a moment that says, You’re home. Please come in.

As for staircases, this is where architecture gets to stretch its legs. From preserving century-old Victorian details to designing modern rail systems in a lakefront A-frame, we treat stairs like the sculptural features they are. We fine-tune proportions, sightlines, acoustics, and lighting. We consider what you see, how you move, and how each step contributes to the experience of your home.

In the end, it’s not just about where a space takes you — but how it makes you feel getting there.