Building memorable grand staircases one step at a time with Arcways, Inc.

For the last 10 years, Tom Stilp has had an interesting bird’s eye view inside the homes and yachts of the rich and famous, from top athletes to Hollywood stars to Fortune 1000 executives. Stilp’s unique perch has literally been atop some of the most exquisitely engineered and designed spiral staircases in the world, all custom-built by his family-owned business in Neenah, Wisconsin.

Arcways, Inc., the company Stilp co-owns with his sister, Sharon Stilp-Kressin, has staircases that can exceed several hundred thousand dollars in cost. Just this year, the company earned a top industry award for an elegant Burger Boat stairway, featuring fastened-curved crown molding and forged iron panel work with bronze collar accents.

“These are curved, free-standing monuments,” Stilp says. “For all these families, this is where they’re going to take that photograph. You’ll have 90 or 100 people sitting on our staircase.”
One trend Stilp has noticed is the integration of travertine and stone treads and risers versus a variety of dark woods. He is also seeing a consistent taste for the co-mingling of these materials, along with decorative forged balusters and a striking use of glass. “It becomes quite a statement,” he says.

For those seeking one of these stunning staircases, Stilp recommends going with someone who truly specializes in the art. For instance, Stilp has had customers come to him after experiencing “nightmares” with a trim contractor trying to build these highly complex engineering feats of art.

“We’re building these staircases in controlled factory environments,” Stilp says. “You’re not getting us out there trying to construct this onsite under terrible conditions with multiple subcontractors. If that’s the case, you’re not getting a truly engineered product.” Arcways, Inc., 800-558-5096, arcways.com. —Scott Kauffman