Going Above and Beyond: Five Exceptional Staircases

Ranging from classically elegant to crisp, clean, and minimal, these staircases are fascinating focal points that create dazzling first impressions.

Villa Testarossa

Sonoma, California | Juliette Andrews, Sotheby’s International Realty – Wine Country – Broadway Brokerage

Recalling a magnificent Mediterranean villa, this majestic residence sits on 4.65 glorious wine country acres that include some 3,400 Chardonnay vines, dozens of olive trees, mature gardens, plentiful outdoor living spaces, a greenhouse, and a bocce court. Generous and bright, the grand interiors feature a chef’s kitchen, formal living and dining rooms, two offices, a library, and a media room. A dramatic central stairway in a skylit atrium leads to the owner’s suite and four guest bedroom suites, which share loft-like living space.

Classic Palm Beach Villa

Palm Beach, Florida | Patricia Mahaney, Sotheby’s International Realty – Palm Beach Brokerage

Exemplifying Mediterranean Revival style, this meticulously renovated Palm Beach villa is located on a coveted block near the ocean. Distinctive details—plaster moldings, ceiling medallions, and oak floors—add to the appeal of the chef’s kitchen, the classical living and dining rooms, and the library. A gracefully curving stairway with an ornate iron railing rises from the foyer and spirals upward from the second-floor landing to a secluded third-level bedroom suite. Between the home and the restful guesthouse, a coquina patio surrounds the inviting pool.

Greenwich Grandeur

Greenwich, Connecticut | Helene Barre & Fran Ehrlich, Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage

Marrying timeless style and superior smart home technology, this impressive six-bedroom Greenwich residence sits on four manicured acres that are walled and gated for privacy. Terraces, an outdoor kitchen and fireplace, a pool and spa, a pool house, a garden, a lake with a fountain, and lush lawns encourage relaxation and rejuvenation outdoors. In the grand double-height marble foyer, a majestic stairway is the striking centerpiece, combining functionality with visual drama and linking the living spaces with the bedroom suites.

Canal-Front California Villa

Venice, California | Margaux Glaser & Robin Walpert, Sotheby’s International Realty – Pacific Palisades Brokerage

This eye-catching canal-front property brings to mind a timeless villa in its California burg’s Italian sister city. Consisting of two discrete homes—each boasting top-tier craftsmanship, an owner’s suite with a spa-inspired bath and a walk-in closet, and a Viking-appointed kitchen, the estate affords remarkable versatility and flexibility. Dazzling dual spiral staircases with distinctive decorative railings link the three levels and lead to an enviable rooftop deck with a 360-degree view. The property also includes a private redwood dock and boat.

Beaux Arts Style Meets Contemporary Whimsy

San Francisco, California | Mary Lou Castellanos, Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage

A bastion of ornate Beaux Arts style, this four-level home in the coveted Nob Hill neighborhood blends the classical architectural details of its 1915 construction date with the colorful, convivial style of famed contemporary designer Jonathan Adler. Highlights include formal living and dining rooms, an eat-in chef’s kitchen, a sizeable wine cellar, a fitness room, and four bedrooms. In addition to an elevator, a magnificent sculptural staircase accesses each floor as well as the north- and south-facing rooftop terraces.

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