LEADING STONEMASON IAN KNAPPER LAUNCHES NEW SERVICE TO INTERIOR DESIGNERS - Nov 2009

Staffordshire based stonemason Ian Knapper, renowned for his unique stone fireplace and staircase designs, has launched a new service for Interior Designers.

After working on commissions with many of the UK’s top interior designers, Ian has developed a new service that provides a personal response to projects requiring a bespoke interpretation of the client’s brief.

Ian has built a nationwide reputation for excellence in the design and making of beautiful stone fireplaces and believes that the complete service offered through his team is unique in the UK.  This has recently been extended to include stone staircases, examples of which are shown here.

Ian believes that the time is right to offer an even greater level of support to interior designers looking to work with someone who can interpret their client’s briefs precisely, with inspirational designs, high quality stonemasonry and a complete installation service.

Ian commented, “Over recent years, demand for our expertise has grown, not just from private commissions but interior designers, architects and even building developers”.

“Our experience with interior design tells us that people specialising in this marketplace want to work with someone that can provide a full service, from design through to installation”. 

“We are flexible enough to work seamlessly as part of their team and can confidently represent our interior design partners by interpreting either their ideas, or their clients brief, with stunning designs and workmanship”.

“We have recently experienced significant growth by adding staircases to our portfolio and we’ve created some stunning results with cantilever and spiral staircase commissions”, he added.

The design and production of cantilevered stone staircase is almost a forgotten art.  Initially introduced into the UK in the mid 17th centaury from Italy, many stonemasons shy away from the engineering complexities involved in creating the illusion of their gravity-defying appearance.

Combining a staircase’s aesthetic beauty with functionality is a fairly complex process that provides challenges both from a creative and technical viewpoint. The fantastic ‘flying’ appearance is achieved by setting one end of the stair tread into a wall and their stunning presentation is enhanced by the beauty when viewed from all angles – they look as good from underneath as from on top.

Ian has also received commissions for Spiral staircase design.  These stairs feature a central column, which gives the staircase its stability and structural integrity.  The rapid twists that can be achieved provide a fantastic appearance from any angle.

The Knapper team only use the finest natural stones, selected for their colour, texture, workability and structural integrity. 

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