Stairway to......(And you thought I couldn't do math)

       Stairs. Seem pretty simple right? Not so much. I don't know about you, but calculating and placing stairs when space planning is the hardest thing ever. Rise x Run? Rise over run? Rise + run? Tread size, riser size? I get so confused. My confusion aside, stairs can be a really interesting focal element in a home (or any other type of space), they don't just have to be a structural element. Here are some images of some great stair cases and some neat ideas:

http://pinterest.com/pin/80572280803756117/

http://pinterest.com/pin/91409067406320043/

http://pinterest.com/pin/114701121729858828/

http://pinterest.com/pin/237776055296510359/

http://blog.vanstee.be/post/3248694053

http://pinterest.com/pin/43839796343027222/

Warning: This part here is for interior design nerds only (hehe)

So, after watching a youtube video many *many times to figure this stair calculation thing out.. this is what I have come up with (This example is from the video) here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=531UPCjZTm0

Step 1: Total rise needed (this is the distance/height from the floor your stairs are starting on to the floor up where your stairs are going to): 109.75"(about 9')

For residential stairs risers are about 7" high and the run (tread) depth is about 10"

Step 2: 109.75 divided by 7"= 15.68 stairs, so you will need 15-16 stairs

109.75 divided by 15= 7.32" OR 109.75 divided by 16= 6.86"  To make a fraction (or number that can be measured on a measuring tape) take the .86 and mult. by 16 which= 13.76 rounded up to 14/16th's or 7/8ths

Step 3: SO 6 7/8" rise over a 10" run

What this means:  There will be 16 stairs that are 6 7/8" high and 15 treads that are 10" deep (You always need 1 more riser then you do treads). 

Boring post? I think not :)