Built to Last: Inside Our Partnership with S&A Stairs

It can be one of the first things you see when you step through the front door, and one of the hardest-working features in any double-storey home. Up for the school run, down for a late-night snack, and back again more times than anyone could count. So, when it comes to the staircase in a Carlisle home, we want it built by people who take that job seriously.

That’s why every Carlisle staircase is crafted by S&A Stairs – a Melbourne family business that has been perfecting the art of staircases for more than a century.

A century of craft

S&A Stairs opened its doors in South Yarra in 1920. More than 100 years on, the fourth generation of the same family runs the business, which has grown to around 230 people across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

What hasn’t changed is the focus on quality. Design, detailing and manufacturing all happen in-house, across timber, glass, plaster and steel – so every part of your staircase is made by the same team, to the same standard.

This approach has earned S&A the trust of leading architects for generations.

Where tradition meets technology

Building great stairs at scale takes more than skilled hands. S&A pairs traditional carpentry with modern manufacturing, sales, and scheduling systems, so craftsmanship stays consistent from one home to the next, and your staircase is ready when your build needs it.

Step inside the workshop and see how it all comes together in Crafting Quality Stairs with Carlisle Homes and S&A.

It starts with your floorplan

Every Carlisle staircase comes in one of three shapes, straight, L-shaped, or U–shaped, depending on your home design. Homes in the Affinity collection can feature all three, while homes in the Inspire collection have a straight or U-shape staircase. The shape is set by your floorplan, which leaves the fun part to you: choosing how it looks.

What’s included. Every home in both collections comes with S&A’s Classic staircase and a wrought iron balustrade in your choice of flat, square or round profile, a timeless, versatile look that suits almost any interior.

Find your style

Want to make more of a statement? Upgrade to one of our signature styles.

Prestige Urban. Crisp white stringers and risers set against timber treads and handrail for a fresh, contemporary contrast. Available in both collections.

Traditional. Warm timber from top to bottom, with a solid, crafted presence that anchors the entry. Available in both collections.

Hamptons. White balusters and newel posts paired with timber treads – relaxed, coastal and endlessly elegant. Available in both collections.

Prestige Elegance. A white base with decorative balustrade detailing for classic grandeur. Exclusive to the Affinity collection.

Prestige Vogue. An open, airy design paired with rebated glass that lets light flow through the space. Exclusive to the Affinity collection.

Choose your balustrade

The balustrade is where your staircase really takes on its personality. Alongside the included wrought iron profiles, you can upgrade to sleek stainless steel, rebated glass for an open, light-filled feel, or the decorative Classique and Deco designs for a standout feature. Rebated glass pairs with the Traditional style in both collections, and with Classic in the Affinity collection. Your Spectra Design Consultant can guide you to the combinations that suit your style and home design.

Finish it your way

The final layer is colour. Choose from a curated palette of Dulux whites and soft neutrals, including Lexicon, Whisper White, Casper White and Natural White, or bring out the timber’s grain with one of ten Cabot’s stains, from light Cedar and Hickory to rich Walnut, Dark Chocolate and Black.