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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Staircase revealed!! It's done, finally!

Before                      After

Just in case you missed parts I & II, check them out here.

They're done! They're finally done!  Ah ha ha ha ha! I mean every little nook and cranny is caulked, every staple removed, every piece of trim is up, every wall I messed up in the process is sanded and painted and dry!  Hallelujah!  
Next year, for lent, I'm giving up home projects...because they are addictive!




I can't even begin to explain how free I feel.  It was like a monkey was on my back for a month with this being unfinished!  It took so long because I couldn't just drop everything and work on the steps!  I mean, these people actually wanted clean clothes and food around here...geesch!  So, what should have taken a week or two, took a whole month!!!   And I hated every moment of it!  Not doing the project, but leaving it "under construction" every night!!!  I am impatient.  Have I mentioned that? Yeah I have.  So, so impatient.  I want my projects "done before dinner".  ( a little slogan I live by.)  This was a killer.

  So, standing back and checking out the work, it's not bad, it's not great either.  But I have to smile when I look at it, because I created it all by myself!  Well, with a little help from the off-spring!  They did some painting too!  I think it's a trillion times better than the 7 year old, basic builder's carpet, with a cheap blonde oak banister!!!

I searched high and low for a picture of the steps with the oak rail, this was all I could find.  Me with my beautiful sister and my beautiful baby cakes!  (sniff, she's 4 now..)  Also glad to report that yellow paint in the family room is gone.
Way Back When


Before: with treated banister
(paint and brown glaze)

In progress... no trim under the risers or the "millwork"
After!!!!!!!!


I'd like to especially thank the inventor of wood filler by the pint, and painter's caulk... you people rock and this wouldn't have been possible without you!  (wipes tears away and blows kiss)

12 comments:

  1. That is amazing! What a GREAT jOB!!!!

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  2. It looks amazing. Love how you set up your squares on the wall. Great job!

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  3. Your hard work paid off. They look incredible!
    kelly

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  4. Your stairs look beautiful -- beautiful job! BTW, did you have to sand the oak bannister before staining it?

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    1. Hi Lauren, thank you for the positive feedback! I lightly sanded the banister in some parts (we have an open foyer with the oak banister and I actually tested this up there first) I discovered that it didn't coat as nicely unless that shiny varnish was removed. I used black all purpose paint and then glazed it with brown premixed glaze, and finally topped it with minwax poly!

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  5. Holy Cow!!! Your staircase looks amazing!!! I love the board and batten wall treatment. We did similar things with our stairs... Great minds think alike, right? :)

    toddlindsey.com

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  6. Looks great! This is project we have talked about for a year, but have yet to start. You are an inspiration:)

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    1. Cindy just rip off the carpet...then you have to keep going! I promise, it's way easier than it looks, just takes a lot of time and if you have help (I didn't) it'll go even faster! You can do it!

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  7. I think it looks fabulous. I don't have 5 little ones and I still can't seem to get enough done. I admire you greatly.

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  8. Wow - this is beautiful! Just found found you via BHG - can you send me or post a close up picture of the steps - you mentioned they looked farmhouse or something but in the pics here they look smooth and glossy =) Would love ot tackle this at my house!!

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  9. Ha ha ha - I too would love to thank the geniuses who invented bulk wood filler and caulking! I hate construction, because I'm impatient too. Great job. I would love to miter saw my way from a so-so 1950's cookie cutter home into a mill work encrusted Craftsman jewel.

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