Thursday

stair case


Of all the projects going on in my house I think the Staircase is the one I'm happy to finally be finished with.  This was more work than I bargained for.  Pulling the ugly old carpet was what I dreamed of for about two years...


Then the wood showed it's true colors and needed sanding.  Lots of Sanding.  


There were many gaps between the floor boards and when I sanded the dust fell between the cracks into my downstairs hall closet.  Under the stairs is my store room. You know the kind, that you have to crawl under... What a mess it became.


After sanding as much as possible I  put on a coat of white primer then began cutting the molding be to put between each stair. Piece by piece were nailed and glued. 



Once I had it totally primed and caulked the first coat of Porch Paint went on and it started to look good to me.... I'll tell you, after the first  week  of this I was sorry I started it!

After searching the local stores for some simple stair treads I finally found a set of 12 on line for a reasonable price.... could not find U-tacks in white so I had to spray paint  black ones.


They did the trick. I measured each tread, to be sure they were perfectly in place then tacked away.


  Next step was a new chandelier to replace the small dome light that hung high up above.


This light was so bright it required  dimmer switches.  There are three light switches. One on each level of the stair and after one was changed out, the other two did not work?  I may have to call in an electrician to see what is up with that?


I've taken a step back wondering what to do with the landing.  Do I put a carpet? Do I put some of the wood flooring that went throughout the entire downstairs?  
There was not a throw rug available to match the treads.
I did think of putting another coat of the paint then using 'boat varnish'... it's really thick and will withstand all sorts of wear and tear?  The search is on for an answer.


For now I'll just admire all my work.  Getting started is the hard part of any project like this one but after three weeks now, I'm so happy I did this.  It's nice to walk down the stairs in the dark. No need for a light, it's so bright and cheery.



May sound silly to some but "I do not wear shoes in the house" and now my feet are always clean with the carpet gone!
"Now that is something to smile about"


Join me @ 504 Main

21 comments:

Granny said...

The stairs look great and I love the little braided rugs. I don't wear shoes in the house except when it's really cold. I love going barefoot.

Ginger said...

AWESOME! Visiting from HOH. Come visit me sometime!

http://superstinkyboys.blogspot.com
xoxo
Ginger

Jenny said...

Beautiful! Looks like a lot of work! Can you stop by my house, please?

Darla said...

This has turned out beautifully!!! Love it...we do not wear our shoes in the house either.

Karen said...

Sandy, the stairs look fantastic! I know I've said this before, but OH how I could use your help here at this old hut.

I was thinking about your landing...my 90 year old mom painted a floral design on each one of her basement steps two years ago and it is so cheery and bright. I wonder how a floral motif or other mural would look on your landing? Just a thought, I'm sure whatever you decide on will be fantastic, like always!

Amanda said...

I love this so much!! It inspires me to do my stairs!

Tania Pelletier said...

The stairs look great! I can see how that was probably a lot of work, but you did great! I think a throw rug would look nice on the landing... maybe one in one of the colors from the stair treads?

Tania

Lisa said...

Oh Sandy...could you pretty, pretty please come and make mine as beautiful as yours? I just love them!

Anonymous said...

This is a fabulous makeover. Great job!

Olive said...

They turned out so pretty. I love the oval rugs too. I never wear shoes either. ♥O

FRENCH LAUNDRY said...

Don't you love it when you finally get to do a project that's been on "the list" forever???? Looks great.

Happy WW,
Judy

Pamela said...

What a wonderful job! We are in the process of floor reno ourselves and then the stairs!

Arabella said...

What a huge job!! It looks just wonderful and well worth the effort. I'm a new follower from White Wednesday...great to connect with you. http://SallyLeebyTheSea.com

Unknown said...

It‘s so nice that I found your blog about your link on Fades Charm. So I’ve scrolled a little and like what I see. Now I’m your new follower! ;)

Take care
Tine

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

I love what you have done with the stairs. Looks like it was a lot of hard work but it sure paid off. Very pretty! Happy to have found your lovely blog. I'm your newest follower and would be delighted for you to follow me back!
Have a great day!

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

What a wonderful transformation, I Love seeing the photos of the step by step (no pun intended - lol)
Cheryl

www.Redo101.blogspot.com said...

The stairs look great, love the white, you really put a lot of work into it and it shows! Love the chandelier, it adds so much to the space. Thanks for sharing this with us at Savvy Southern Style's linky party. I "followed" your blog!

Mary @ Redo101.blogspot.com

Tammy @ Type A said...

love the stairs! i would love it if you shared it at my party. http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/2011/04/anything-goes-party-12.html

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Wow, I know that was a lotta work,
but it came out beautifully. You did a great job, and I like the uniqueness of the lil oval rugs on the stairs! Very cute!
and the new lighting as well.
Blessings, Nellie

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That is a hard job and I want the carpet off mine, too, but not ready to tackle that job and husband thinks I'm crazy. Thanks for joining WUW.

Noble Vintage said...

wow, that is quite the project. I'd love to redo our stairs sans carpet, but I'm worried we'd run into a mess too! You did a fantastic job, way to stick with it. Your landing- what if you painted it a darker contrast color like an espresso? Or Dash and Albert Rugs make some really neat striped cotton rugs that always look great in that application. Just an idea! :) Thanks for sharing this at Transformations and Treasures!