It’s not the main entrance, but this mud room entry is the one most frequented by the homeowners, so architect Jan Gleysteen felt it deserved a casual grandeur of its own. To make more out of the compact back stairwell, he wrapped the bottom stairs to create a double return design often used for sweeping entrances to public buildings. “Each stair returns on itself,” explains Gleysteen, “which encourages people to approach from both directions and also to lounge on them.” The subtly curved risers that support the elongated treads give the illusion that the stair is bigger than it actually is. Custom-made grilles mask air-return vents while also demarcating the climbing section from the “sit and take off your muddy shoes” portion of the stairs. A hand-rubbed oil finish on Honduran mahogany makes a regal statement that is toned down by the stark vertical lines of the balustrades and the wainscoting.