Another theory is even more personal: builders sometimes flipped a baluster as a hidden signature, their own secret mark tucked into the home — a subtle way to say, “I was here.” It’s like a painter signing a canvas, but far more discreet. Most homeowners live in their space for years without ever noticing it.

Now that I know, I regret never checking the staircase in our old home. Maybe one of those balusters held the silent pride of someone’s craftsmanship. So next time you climb a staircase, take a closer look — there might be a story hidden in plain sight.