Sunday, August 10, 2008

once upon a time, there was a verrrrrry ugly staircase ...

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.
- William Morris
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Well, my old staircase was certainly useful, but was the ugliest thing about my home. I had carpet on my wall. Sage green carpet making its zig-zaggy way down my wall. Whenever I watched TV, I'd sit and look at the carpet on my wall. Zig. Zag. Green. And on my wall.

And the handrail; it looked like an exterior metal garden rail, not something you'd put in a home. Carpet on my wall and a garden rail. Sigh ...

So, it took me 10 years but I saved up and finally had the staircase re-done! White skirtboard, white risers, white, square balusters. Maple treads, handrails and newel post all stained a rich walnut. Oh, my! I love my new staircase.

There's wider tread space now, too. The previous garden rail was set in about 3 inches from the outer edge of the step, so there was 3 inches of tread space that wasn't usable. I had the stair guys (who did fantastic work) move the balusters out to the very edge of the treads, so the steps are much wider now. The handrail no longer goes all the way to the top step because of this change, but it's so much better to have a wider staircase to me even if it means one handrail ends at the lower ceiling height.

It's late, so I'll just let you see some pics now. My blog isn't a photo or decor blog (I have no talent in either), so set your expectations accordingly. [smile]



Before: The carpet-on-the-wall, garden rail staircase before:


After: The beautiful wood staircase:


Before: Words fail me. Ugh!



After: Beautiful now, and even more useful with a wider step.




13 comments:

paintergal said...

Rose, it's so, so beautiful! I'm so glad you were finally able to replace the carpet and railings. Such a wonderful change.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! SO worth the wait. Now it's classy and elegant . . . like you!

Kat said...

Rose! It looks marvelous. I love the stained treads. They looks so rich. The contrast with the white is perfect. I know you must be enjoying the view now. Im happy that the zig zag green is gone...all gone!

Lori Bee said...

They ARE gorgeous! Soooo happy for you, Rose~

Linda Lou said...

Just found your blog-the stairs look gorgeous!! I finally saved to put dark wood floors in my house- and really like them-i will be back to visit again.

Karin said...

Rose, it looks fabulous. Lucky you! I put a patterned carpet on my stairs (kind of like Maureen's at GI)and I'm praying that it stands up to my four-year-old. I would so love to have beautiful wood like yours. I know it was totally worth the wait to finally have what you wanted!

dec0r8or said...

Boo Ya, Baby! I love it so much, Rose! I'm so happy for you. What a gorgeous difference. You must be psyched! Actually, I can TELL you're psyched! Hee! Congrats!

Amber Cargile said...

Rose, what a transformation! They did a beautiful, beautiful job!

Jen Kershner said...

Rose-
Your staircase looks beautiful! I love your wood stairs, I covet them. What a change this must have made in your room. Jen

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! A huge improvement and looks fantastic. Bet you love it.
Karen2

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Rose! What a gorgeous change in your sweet condo. I know you've been wanting to do that forever & so glad you got it finished. What a different!! It truly looks totally completely better. I had some carpet on my stairs when we moved in that I couldn't wait to get rid of.

This gives me a great opportunity to say THANK YOU for the recommendation on the 5-HTP for sleeping. It really is working! I've been taking it for almost a month now & started to tell a difference within the first week. I'm still taking one Benedryl at night too, but I think the biggest difference is the 5-HTP. So, thank you very much. I'm sleeping SO much better now & much more soundly. I was taking 2 Benedryl and still waking up a bunch of times. Now I'm sleeping through til at least 5:30 to 6 a.m. before my eyes open. Big relief...and a big hug to you.

Rhoda

Sheri @ www.careergirlinterrupted.com said...

Rose! This was a GREAT transformation. Just my taste so i guess i'm biased LOL. I adore the "cleaness" of how it looks if that makes sense - it's purdy :-)

Erin {House of Turquoise} said...

Rose, so glad you commented on my blog so I could take a peek at yours! :) LOVE this transformation. What a beautiful stairway! And of course I love the color of the walls too! :)