Stairways for the Present

With American politics and science moving forward, the decorating tastes of American housewives seem to be returning to the days of great-great-great-grandmother. Witness the trend to colonial furniture and stately columns. Witness, too, the business of Roseland Stair Works, a major supplier to many of Chicagoland's builders. Roseland makes two things: stairs and stair-rails. And here the return to Colonial and Ante-Bellum design is obvious. The sweeping curved stairway and the graceful hand-turned rails and balusters are coming more and more to be a part of the increasing luxury of American homes.

Fifty years in business makes Roseland Stair Works, 342 West lllth Street, Chicago, a fixture of the industry. Twenty years with the company makes Ed Lautenbach, the owner, an authority. And son Ken, eight years in the business, is rapidly approaching the status of an expert. The Lautenbachs serve the building trades from Rochelle to Flossmoor, from Western Springs to Hammond, and have been called in on jobs as far away as Memphis, Tenn.

The making of fine stairways is a branch of carpentry ... but a very specialized branch. According to Ed Lautenbach "the art of the stair itself is that it is hand done and fitted into space." Meaning that every single stairway constructed is an individual project... measured at the building site, hand-cut and fitted in the shop, and personally installed on the job ... no task for an ordinary carpenter. But one performed expertly by Roseland Stair Works.

A Hat for Your Help

What kind of story, anecdote or news item do you have to contribute to Landmark. We'll give the best Stetson you can buy for any useable item sent in. Call, or write, to Mrs. Lynne Sebok in the Advertising Department.

Download and print the article as it appeared in print. (Requires Acrobat Reader)