Did you know that we do staircases too?

Staircases don’t just have to serve a purpose. They can become a beautiful decorative statement in your home. There are unlimited possibilities that can exceed design and aesthetic goals for your home. Check out these iconic spiral staircases and be sure to contact Western Fence Company so we can get started on making your stairs today.

The Santa Fe chapel is known for a very cool looking set of spiral stairs built in 1877 by a mysterious stranger. With no central support the stairs are said by the sisters of Loretto Chapel to be miraculous in construction. While there are those who beg to differ about the miraculousness of the stairs, no can deny that the stairs look, well, really cool!

article-imageThe miraculous staircase at Loretto Chapel (photograph by Michael Martin)

In the past I have admitted a somewhat obsessive love of libraries, and looking at the Loretto stairs, made me realize I have a bit of a thing for spiral staircases as well. Like secret passageways and hidden doors there is something intriguing, adventurous even, about a spiral staircase. The narrow twists, and slight dizzy feeling as you ascend, it always seems as if something fantastical awaits you at the top, or alternatively, something dark and ominous at the bottom. Either way, a spiral staircase calls to you saying “find out… if you dare.”

So without further ado, the Atlas Obscura presents to you the most intriguing, fantastical, dizzying spiral staircases from around the world. First the Vatican Museums!

article-imageThe spiral staircase at the Vatican Museums (photograph by Dimitry B.)

The Vatican Museums spiral staircase is one of the most photographed in the world, and certainty one of the most beautiful. Designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932, the broad steps are somewhere between a ramp and a staircase.

article-imageThe Vatican stairs (photograph by Sebastian Bergmann)

As you may be able to see more clearly here, the stairs are actually two separate helixes, one leading up and the other leading down, that twist together in a double helix formation. Little did the Vatican Museum know in 1932 that this formation would come to represent life itself, with the discovery of the double helical DNA strand.

article-imageLooking up at the Vatican stairs (photograph by Hailé F)

Many more spiral staircases on the way… just try not to get dizzy.

Another set of very famous spiral stairs are the “Tulip Stairs” in the Queen’s House, in Greenwich, England. These, like the Lorretto Chapel stairs, have no central support, but here they are supported by being cantilevered from the walls, with each step resting on the one below it.

article-imageTulip Stairs at the Queen’s House (via Visit Greenwich)

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Things to do in SLC for St. Paddy’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is a fun holiday that is widely celebrated in the United States. As they say, you don’t have to be Irish to enjoy the holiday and this of course holds true this year. There are many things to do around Salt Lake City today to celebrate the day. Check out these fun events for a great day.

Guinness stocks are beginning to be depleted and bright red beards flood the shelves of every Dollar General across the Wasatch Front, which could only mean one thing: St. Patrick’s Day is upon us! Yep, that magical day wherein we celebrate the life and times of the Romano-British Christian bishop mastermind who developed a special green beer dye responsible for some wicked hangovers and, yes, green bowel movements, is here. To celebrate it, we’ve complied this list of fun-filled activities—from parades to Jell-O wrestling—guaranteed to put a smile on the face of every Irishman, Irish for-the-day and just plain drunks.

1. Go green, or go home

You know the drill. Good places to find verdant vestiture include The Dollar Tree, Goodwill, Deseret Industries, or the local Pib’s Exchange (1147 E. Ashton Ave., 801-484-7996). Hands off that “Shit Me, I’m Kiss Faced” T-shirt!

VIA FUNMUNCH.COM

  • via funmunch.com

2. Check out some sweet jams at the Best of Utah Music Winner Showcase
Sky, 149 Pierpoint Ave., 216-375-4684, Friday, March 11, 8 pm
OK, OK, this one isn’t exactly Irish-themed, but trust us when we tell you a lot of beer went into the creation of last week’s Best of Utah Music issue. To celebrate the fact that our livers remain intact (for the most part), we’re celebrating some of the best musical talent the state has to offer with a slew of live performances by the likes of DJ Sneekylong, The Aces, The National Parks, Thunderfist and Folk Hogan (who we are sure has at least one redheaded member).

3. Eat anything and everything even slightly Irish
Corned beef and cabbage, green eggs and ham, green M&Ms…eat it all. Want some cooking advice from our food critic? Check out Ted Scheffler’s current column, where, along with a recipe, he also lists some good Irish spots to check out. Places like Murphy’s Bar & Grill (160 S. Main, 801-359-7271), The Leprechaun Inn (4700 900 E. Ste. 6, 801-268-3294), Flanagan’s (438 Main, Park City, 435-649-8600) or MacCool’s Public House (1400 Foothill Drive Ste. 166, 801-582-3111). Many of these bars/grills will have live music, too, including Dublin singer-songwriter Pat Waters at the Inn on March 11 at 7 pm Hungry for some Irish soda bread? Stop by Mrs. Backer’s Pastry Shop (434 E. South Temple, 801-532-2022) for your doughy fix—no pesky Ziploc needed.

4. Drink everything Irish, too
Irish whiskey, Guinness, green beer. Ever drank Bailey’s from a shoe? Now’s your chance. Some local Irish watering holes include O’Shucks (multiple locations), The Republican (917 S. State, 801-595-1916), Piper Down (1492 S. State, 801-468-1492) and Fiddler’s Elbow (1063 E. 2100 South, 801-463-9393). Most of these places serve Irish pub grub as well, and even have live music so you can jig like there’s nobody watching.

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Before you build a fence, check this out.

So you’ve decided to build a fence. That’s a great decision. There are so many benefits to doing so. If you’re reading this, you’ve made an even greater decision by making sure that you hire the best company in the SLC area to make your fence dreams a reality. Here is some practical advice that will help you with the planning stages of building a fence.

Before you install a fence, ask yourself what your reason is for installing it. If it’s strictly utilitarian — keeping the dog in the yard — you can probably get by with a basic chain-link fence. If you’re looking to block noise or add privacy, you will want something tall and solid. Chances are your wishes are complex: You want to protect pets, but you also want to add a decorative element to your home’s exterior. Whatever its purpose, a fence can function in many ways, but the first step is deciding what you’re looking for to choose one that works for you.

Choose Your Materials


A white picket fence is quintessential, but before you buy wood posts and whitewash, think about the commitment you’re making. Wood fences may require occasional staining or sealing and can warp and rot over time. Consider a low-maintenance material, such as vinyl, that offers the look of wood without the elbow grease. Other material options include aluminum, steel, wrought iron, and bamboo.
Mix it up

If cost is an issue, mix different types of fences. Wood picket fencing could be placed at the front of the home, for example, connecting to chain link fencing in the back. No only will this combination fence potentially save installation costs, but it also will reduce the amount of fence that might require repainting.

Do your research

Inquire with homeowners or neighborhood associations and municipal building code officials regarding covenants that dictate fencing look, height, and material. City and neighborhood rules may specify the better-looking side of a fence (the side that doesn’t show posts and rails) be placed toward the public face of the property. Ask how far a fence has to be set back from sidewalks and property lines, and find out if your fence project will require a building permit.

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