September 7, 2021
SEPTEMBER SPECIALTIES
September is an interesting month. Traditionally associated with "back to school," it also has the distinction of being Baby Safety Month, National Home Furnishings Month, and Shameless Promotion Month. We're tackling each of these specialty celebrations to show you how L.J. Smith ties in!
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August 24, 2021
BASEMENT STAIRWAY COMBINES WOOD AND METAL FOR APPEALING TRANSITIONAL LOOK
For homeowners and experienced DIYers Jamie and Jamison Rantz, a mixture of Hickory and iron proved the winning combination for their basement stairway. Following the popular trend of mixing woods and metals in the home, the Rantz family got exactly what they wanted --- a transitional look that's not too modern and not too traditional.
August 10, 2021
FINGER JOINTED CRAFTSMEN
Add together end-to-end all the finger-jointed material made in just one year by Bill Blanchard, Dave Sell, and Chuck Woods, and you could go from Portland, Maine to Vancouver, Canada. Located at our L.J. Smith company headquarters in Bowerston, Ohio, each of the men fabricates finger jointed rail stock. Together, they've been making this important stairway component for decades.
July 27, 2021
DISTINCTIVE DESIGN MEETS ON-TREND STYLE: FOUR NEW IRON BALUSTERS FROM L.J. SMITH
Express yourself with our new iron balusters!
July 20, 2021
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT REPLACING A STAIRWAY SYSTEM - PART 2
Before jumping ahead and starting a stairway replacement project, it's important to understand the components of a staircase.
July 16, 2021
SPRING 2021 ONE ROOM CHALLENGE REVEAL -- ASHLEY WILSON
Every year, Novo Building Products participates as a sponsor in the One Room Challenge. This event features 20 designers that take up the challenge of renovating or redesigning a room in their home over the course of 8 weeks. Each week, the audience receives an update on their social media about the progress of the room, along with the products they are using.
July 9, 2021
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT REPLACING A STAIRWAY SYSTEM - PART ONE
Replacing an interior stairway system is a big step for a homeowner. Literally. However, with the help of a building professional, the stunning transformation results make it worth the effort.
June 2, 2021
NEW CONCEALED IRON BALUSTER INSTALLATION KIT
Creating a clean, on-trend look when replacing or installing balusters just got easier. L.J. Smith® Stair Systems has introduced a new Concealed Iron Baluster Installation Kit, making it simpler for builders, remodelers, contractors, and even homeowners tackling a DIY project of installing half-inch hollow square iron balusters.
May 28, 2021
STEPPING UP STAIR DESIGN WITH DECORATIVE STAIR BRACKETS
Whether you're building a new home or undertaking a major remodel, if you're a building professional we have a great way for you to add design appeal to a stairway system.
May 5, 2021
STEP UP TO A FRESH, NEW LOOK
If you're a building industry professional eager to give a "new look" to an interior stairway system, then we've got a great new product you'll be interested in!
April 6, 2021
MAKE THIS YOUR MONTH
National Woodworking Month. National Rebuilding Month. National Decorating Month. Do you think it's a coincidence these three celebrations all occur in April? We don't.
March 31, 2021
5 DIY PROJECTS USING STAIR PARTS
Did you know that you can use stair parts for more than just building and renovating staircases??
March 23, 2021
MIX IT UP
Wood balusters? Iron balusters? How are you supposed to decide what will look best in your home? Here's an idea: mix them up!
March 15, 2021
THE MADISON PROJECT - JEAN STOFFER
Last year, L.J. Smith had the opportunity to partner with Jean Stoffer Design to revive the staircase in the historic Madison home in downtown Grand Rapids. Taking on the Madison home was no small feat, even for a well-versed professional designer like Lean Stoffer, and the L.J. team was excited to join her on her renovation journey.
March 9, 2021
L.J. SMITH SALUTES EMPLOYEES
You might not know this, but the last Friday in March is National Employee Appreciation Day. For this special day, we wanted to shine a spotlight on our dedicated and talented L.J. Smith team members.
February 24, 2021
ON-TREND METAL PANEL STAIR SYSTEMS FEATURED IN DREES HOMES
When Drees Homes decided to participate in the 2020 Parade of Homes in Durham, Orange, and Chatham (N.C.) Counties, they wanted to make a big impression.
February 9, 2021
SWAPPING OUT BALUSTERS EASY, IMPRESSIVE PROJECT
A little change can make a BIG difference. That's what Liz Roth discovered when she changed out her stairway's balusters.
January 14, 2021
STEP-BY-STEP TIPS FOR SELECTING A STAIRWAY SYSTEM
Here's a bad joke: How do you create a stair system? The answer: One step at a time.
January 6, 2021
METAL PANEL SYSTEM NOW AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE
You've asked for it, and we listened! In response to increased interest and demand from builders, we now offer the nationwide availability of the Metal Panel System in our popular Linear Collection.
December 16, 2020
WATERFALL STYLE STAIRWAYS SURGING IN POPULARITY
Sleek and graceful, stairways replicating waterfalls by using Metal Panel Systems are one of the hottest trends...
December 2, 2020
MODERN COASTAL MAINE COTTAGE
What does it take to turn a dream into reality? If you're Meghan and Brent Walter, it takes nine trips to Bar Harbor, Maine...
November 19, 2020
TIPS ON DECORATING INTERIOR STAIRWAYS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Greenery? Stockings? Lights? Decorating interior stairway systems can take many forms.
November 3, 2020
CREATING AN ATTIC RETREAT
You won't find bulging boxes of old clothes or containers of Christmas decorations in Kate Pearce's attic.
October 20, 2020
TAKE A MULLIGAN
Last Saturday was "Take a Mulligan Day." As anyone even slightly familiar with golf knows, this term means you get a "do-over"...
October 7, 2020
ADD A STAIRWAY CHECK TO YOUR AUTUMN PROJECTS CHECKLIST
Rickety. Unsafe. Creaky. Sometimes these words are used to describe outdoor railing systems that have aged over time...
October 5, 2020
DIFFERENT NAME, SAME GREAT PRODUCTS & SERVICE
Through the years, L.J. Smith Stair Systems has grown. A few years ago, L.J. Smith's parent holding company rebranded...
September 22, 2020
UPGRADING YOUR HOME'S STYLE WITH A NEW DIY RAIL SYSTEM
Fall is the ideal time to consider an important home upgrade --- a new interior stair system.
August 25, 2020
LYRICAL STAIRCASES
Over the years, a great many songs have been written about stairs.
August 13, 2020
SUMMER OF LOVE
This year marks the 53rd anniversary of the Summer of Love. A social phenomenon that brought hippie behavior and trends...
July 28, 2020
MARTIN STAIRWAYS CRAFTS 1,700 STAIR SYSTEMS
Curved, straight, or twisted. If you have a stairway system and live in southern California, chances are very strong that...
July 20, 2020
HOME UPGRADES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Inside and out, the right home improvement projects can positively impact your home's value.
July 2, 2020
MADE IN THE USA
Today is "Made in the USA Day"...a celebration all of our employees fully support.
June 17, 2020
DIY STAIRWAY UPGRADE TRANSFORMS HOME INTERIOR
Influencer Denise Sabia loves home challenges. A house flipper and DIY expert, Sabia recently tackled changes in a...
June 2, 2020
NEW STAINLESS STEEL RAILING SYSTEM THAT MEETS HOT STYLE TREND ON WEST COAST
If you're lucky enough to live on the West Coast, then this story --- and railing system --- is for you!
May 21, 2020
EXPERIENCE IN EVERY TOUCH
From working on a custom staircase at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ to unique customer...
May 5, 2020
STAIRWAY OPTIONS 101
You're building a new home --- congratulations! Or, you're refurbishing a cherished, older home. Again, congratulations.
April 21, 2020
EARTH DAY IS EVERY DAY AT L.J. SMITH® STAIR SYSTEMS
Our employees at L.J. Smith Stair Systems manufacturing and distribution facilities know all about recycling. Our team...
April 7, 2020
DIY STAIRCASE TRANSFORMATION IN ONE AFTERNOON
It doesn't get easier than this. Cut and hammer out an old wood baluster from your stairway system. Then replace it with...
March 24, 2020
STEP UP TO NEW HOME INTERIOR ACCENTS
Want to feel good about yourself and your home? Then set your sights on interior home improvement projects.
March 12, 2020
L.J. SMITH® OFFERS NEW INSTALLATION VIDEOS ONLINE
Need some extra help with the installation of our interior stairs systems? We've got just the thing. L.J. Smith has...
February 27, 2020
PEOPLE ARE TALKING...ABOUT L.J. SMITH
Sure, we could talk all day about the stair systems and stair parts at L.J. Smith. It's our favorite topic! But, we thought today...
February 14, 2020
GET A NEW STAIRWAY LOOK WITH MINIMAL EFFORT
Here's a riddle: How can you take wooden balusters out of a stairway and still keep it standing? The answer is...
January 13, 2020
MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE
Today is a special day. It's "Make Your Dreams Come True" Day ... and if you're dreaming of a new stairway system in your home...
January 7, 2020
2020 INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS: WOOD MEETS METAL
Experts from companies within our NOVO Building Products families are anticipating a design trend swing that...
December 17, 2019
PLAYING WITH KNIVES
Dennis Martin breaks all the "Mom Rules" --- he plays with knives for a living. A moulding operator at our L.J. Smith® Stair...
December 1, 2019
ENTER NOW: 2019 DECK YOUR STAIRS PHOTO CONTEST!
Get ready to decorate your home's staircase and win extra cash for the holidays! We're holding our...
November 5, 2019
SPECIAL STAIRWAYS
November is National Long-Term Care Awareness Month ... a special designation that deserves special attention.
October 31, 2019
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: REPLACE YOUR STAIRWAY'S BALUSTERS
Ready to change up the look of your home interior before the holidays? We've got the answer! Turn your boring staircase into...
October 22, 2019
BRAG A BIT? DON'T MIND IF WE DO!
October is Self Promotion Month. But, rather than us bragging about ourselves, we'll let others do the promoting for us!
October 7, 2019
STAIR PARTS GURU: CARL BOUCHEE
If there was a wise wizard sitting atop a mountain with all the imaginable information on stair parts, it would be Carl Bouchee.
September 23, 2019
OPTIONS. OPTIONS. OPTIONS.
When it comes to stairway options, L.J. Smith® Stair Systems offers a large assortment of both on-trend and...
September 9, 2019
ATLANTA CUSTOM BUILDER RELIES ON QUALITY STAIR SYSTEMS FROM L.J. SMITH
For more than 20 years Gregory Amico has been making dreams come true for people in the Atlanta area. With the creation of...
August 8, 2019
CUSTOM STAIR SYSTEMS A SPECIALTY AT L.J. SMITH®
No two stair systems are alike. That's what Lowell Braunschweig, Production Manager at L.J. Smith® Stair Systems will tell you...
July 16, 2019
INDUSTRIAL STAIR SYSTEM HELPS CREATE SLAM DUNK INDOOR SPORTS COURT
When Mike Mielke picked up the ball and started running with a new stair design project for a residential indoor sports court...
July 2, 2019
COOLEST TREND: SLEEK STAINLESS STEEL
Unimpeded views, a good complement to industrial-look furnishings, and ease of maintenance. According to our experts...
June 20, 2019
CUSTOM CARE FOR UN-CUSTOM CUSTOMER NEEDS
Did you ever want to design something completely out-of-the-box for your home? We can help.
June 4, 2019
DIY STAIRWAY MAKEOVER
Back in 2016, Scott and Julie Hardy were ready for a new staircase. Their home's existing stairway system was boring and dated...
May 1, 2019
L.J. SMITH STAIR SYSTEMS FEATURED ON BARGAIN MANSIONS TV SHOW
When it comes to home projects, very few people can beat Tamara Day and the know-how she's gained over the years. That's why millions of people are tuning in...
April 23, 2019
THINK LIKE A CHILD, DESIGN LIKE AN ADULT
Creativity is an important part of the human spirit. Just talk with a four-year-old and ask him to describe the perfect treehouse or cars that zoom through the sky...
April 10, 2019
DECORATE YOUR HOME!
Happy National Decorating Month! Instead of worrying about paint swatches and tile samples, we invite you to think big in April...
March 26, 2019
CHOICES, CHOICES!
Need inspiration? Looking for "just the right" stairway system? Our new "Inner Artistry" catalog and L.J. Smith website can provide both!
March 14, 2019
YOU CAN NEVER ASK TOO MANY QUESTIONS
Go ahead --- ask us a question. After all, today is International Ask a Question Day!
March 4, 2019
WE'VE GOT FLAT SHOES!
Looking for the perfect accent for a Contempo Flat Bar baluster? We're happy to now offer...
February 5, 2019
FALL IN LOVE WITH A ROMANTIC STAIRCASE
Whether you're a fan of sweeping staircases on grandiose ocean cruise liners (think the beautiful staircase in the Titanic movie!) or the famous Scarlett and Rhett scene...
January 15, 2019
THINK LINEAR
Classy. Upscale. Intriguing. Those are just some of the words people use to describe our Linear Collection...
January 3, 2019
INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE MONTH
January. The month of fresh starts. A whole new year lies before us, with plenty of options for home improvements...
December 18, 2018
STAIRCASES THAT SELL HOMES
If you're a builder, you know that creating the "wow factor" inside a home can start right in the entry foyer...
December 5, 2018
NEED A HAND?
What's the most "touched" part of a stair system? Of course, it's the handrail. At L.J. Smith Stair Systems, we know how important it is...
November 20, 2018
TREND: MIXING METALS AND WOODS
What's one of the hottest trends in stair system designs right now? It's definitely mixing metal balusters with wood handrails. "Right now it's all about metal,"...
November 13, 2018
SURVEY SAYS
Homeowners in the Northeast and Midwest have voiced their opinion on their specific desires for staircase systems...
October 29, 2018
GOING UP
While you may hear the term "going up" on an elevator, we invite you to think about the expression related to your own home...
September 26, 2018
WE'VE GOT CURVES
Whether you're trying to create a "statement stair system" that dominates a large entryway, or you've got the challenge of needing a functional spiral stair system...
August 28, 2018
ANATOMY OF A STAIRCASE
Balusters. Newels. Risers. If you're considering a new stairway system, you may think you need to learn an entirely new language! Don't worry ... we're here to help.
August 2, 2018
STEP UP TO A NEW LOOK IN YOUR HOME
If you own a multi-story home, chances are you're running up and down the stairs many times every day. Why not make that journey a more pleasurable one?
July 12, 2018
NEW METAL PANEL SYSTEM FROM L.J. SMITH STAIR SYSTEMS
Searching for the newest look in modern stairway design? Look no further. L.J. Smith Stair Systems has introduced a Metal Panel System that boasts a "welded" look that complements most modern or urban decors...
June 29, 2018
TREAD APPEAL FROM L.J. SMITH STAIR SYSTEMS
Forget the old saying "don't tread on me." We WANT you to step on our Square Nosed Tread Collection! This is a new selection of treads, false tread, and landing tread all featuring square nosing...
June 7, 2018
SPRING IS A GREAT TIME FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS
With winter behind us and spring is now in the air, it's time to take a good long look at your home and consider what upgrades can be made. Spring is an ideal time to think about home remodeling projects and make necessary changes to your home...
May 23, 2018
VISIT L.J. SMITH AT PCBC
Thinking about heading to San Fransisco in June for PCBC? We can offer you free passes to the exhibit floor! Read on to register online for free passes to the June 27-28 show at the Moscone Center...
May 8, 2018
NEW METAL NEWEL CAPS AND FLAT BAR BALUSTERS
Get ready ... we're giving you more great product options to set your stair systems apart! L.J. Smith now offers Metal Newel Caps and Flat Bar Balusters that support the modern styles of stair systems gaining popularity in today's marketplace...
April 25, 2018
L.J. SMITH STAIR SYSTEMS ENHANCES LINEAR COLLECTION
The ever-evolving Linear Collection from L.J. Smith® Stair Systems now includes a variety of metal newels. Launched in 2016, the popular contemporary stair system includes...
April 10, 2018
CREATING THE "WOW FACTOR" WITH L.J. SMITH STAIR SYSTEMS
Forget about the grand staircase in Gone with the Wind. In today's design market, a stainless steel cable stair system creates the "wow factor" in homes across America...
March 27, 2018
CONTEMPO COLLECTION LAUNCHED
Interested in a new look for a project? Then take a look at our new Contempo Collection of iron balusters...
March 7, 2018
ST. JUDE DREAM HOME FEATURES L.J. SMITH STAIR SYSTEMS
When Jeremie Price, President of JB Millworks, was asked to participate in the St. Jude Dream Home project he didn't hesitate. And, when he needed a vendor partner to supply a showcase stair system for the fundraiser home, he also didn't hesitate. He contracted L.J. Smith Stair Systems. "Our family-owned and operated company..."
March 5, 2018
WELCOME TO THE NEW L.J. SMITH BLOG!
Thanks for stopping by our blog site --- a place where we will be adding articles about the...