Spiral enhances space while making the most of it

Set against uncomplicated stained pine walls, a traditional black spiral makes a statement in this Galena home.

“I wanted to come out here because it’s quiet, to be part of nature and to get away from city living,” Pete T. said of his cozy home on a three-acre wooded lot in The Galena Territory in extreme northwest Illinois. “I’ve had this lot forever, but I work from home—everybody works from home now—so I could finally build on it.”

And build he did, an 1,100-square-foot home with large unscreened windows that take full advantage of the wooded view. The space restrictions inspired a spiral stair to the guest bedroom in the loft.

“The number one reason I wanted a spiral is space,” Pete said. “And my uncle has the same business in Greece—he does spiral stairs and he makes railings and fences, too.”

Pete invested in a coordinating railing for the loft. The cost was not big because of the short length of rail, but the matching railing and traditional vertical picket design feel like an extension of the spiral and lends to the airiness throughout.

The one-piece nature of spirals made at Wells Spiral Stairs appealed to Pete, too, and he remains impressed with the top-notch welding that makes his stairway so stable. “I didn’t want one of those tinker-toy type things,” he said.

In coordination with builder Nick Timmerman, the 600-pound spiral was corkscrewed into Pete’s home in one piece one morning last autumn, and Pete documented the delivery in a book he created that tells the story of the construction of his unique home.

Visitors enjoy Pete’s story and his spiral. Said Pete, “It looks awesome and everybody loves it.”