Part 1 - Solarium & Staircase Makeover | From Industrial to Warm & Bright
- danielhailstone
- Nov 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 18
Seeing Potential in Unloved Spaces
Every home has areas that don’t quite live up to their potential: spaces that feel unfinished, awkward, or forgotten in the flow of daily life. In our studio renovation, the staircase corridor and solarium were exactly that. Dark, dusty, and overwhelmingly industrial, these areas didn’t match the warmth and character we envisioned for the finished home.
But hidden behind the cold surfaces and rigid metal frames was something more important: possibility.With thoughtful design, natural materials, and a willingness to rethink the purpose of a space, we knew this corner of the home could become one of the most inspiring areas; not just a transition between floors, but a place people would actually want to linger.
This is the story of how we transformed a neglected industrial zone into a warm, light-filled connection between two levels of the space.
Transforming the Solarium & Staircase: From Cold Utility to Warm Connection
When we first stepped into the space, the solarium and staircase felt more industrial than inviting: a functional passageway rather than a place to enjoy. The original staircase dominated the room visually and physically, with a heavy metal frame and a steep angle that made the entire area feel tight and constrained. Its placement pulled attention away from the rest of the home and created an awkward flow between the two floors.
The solarium itself, although structurally interesting, lacked warmth. With its exposed metal, dusty surfaces, and hard materials, it felt more like an unused extension of the building than a natural part of the living experience. As a result, the dining area beneath it was dark and closed-in, a space people passed through rather than gathered in.
Our goal was not just to improve the look, but to change how the space felt—to turn a transitional zone into one of the studio’s most welcoming features.
We redesigned the staircase to be lighter, cleaner, and more sculptural. The new floating-wood steps, supported by a slim metal spine, open up the room instead of closing it down. Light can move freely through the structure, and the eye naturally follows the steps upward without feeling overwhelmed.
To bring warmth into the solarium, we introduced natural materials, layered plants, soft textiles, and wood-toned furniture that echo the surrounding design language. This changed the space from cold and dusty to bright, peaceful, and full of character. It became a place to sit, browse a book, enjoy a morning coffee, or simply take in the sunlight.
One of the most impactful decisions was cutting a glass opening into the solarium floor. This allowed natural light to pour directly onto the dining table below, turning what had been one of the darkest corners of the home into a glowing, inviting gathering area. The difference in mood, before and after, cannot be overstated.
What was once an underused corridor has become the heart of the space: open, warm, connected, and alive.
How This Transformation Reflects Our Design Philosophy
This project embodies what Resonance Designs stands for: transforming structure into soul. Instead of fighting the rawness of the space, we embraced it—layering warmth, light, and natural textures to create something meaningful, personal, and alive.
Design should never be just about surfaces; it’s about how a space feels and how people live inside it. By rethinking the staircase, opening up the solarium, and allowing light to flow freely between levels, we turned a once-forgotten area into one of the most atmospheric and welcoming parts of the home.
It’s a reminder that with thoughtful design, every corner, no matter how cold or industrial, has the potential to resonate.
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