This post has been in the making for months. After replacing the window going up my stairs and removing the brown curtains that were covering the troubled window, the beautiful light had an opportunity to shine through. However, the beautiful light showed some not so beautiful carpet on the steps.
Isn’t it HORRIBLE! I’m embarrassed to even show it…oh my… so gross! Anyway, once the curtain was removed, we knew we had to do something about it.
Our initial thought was to just lay new carpet (that would have been far too easy!) and then we got the brilliant idea to try to re-finish the steps.
This is what the steps looked like when we took off the carpet. The steps were installed before the walls so the treads had been nailed in from inside the walls. The only way to get the treads off was to use a heavy-duty saw and cut through all the nails.
After getting the treads off we were able to see what 100 years of dust looks like…Are you ready??
My Better Half is convinced that there is a jar of money buried somewhere in this old house or in the yard. We had to laugh when we found this $10 bill “hidden” under the steps. It was only monopoly money but it still made us smile!
Ok, back to the steps. After weighing the pros and cons we decided to make new treads for the steps instead of restoring the old ones. We saved the old ones for a later project, of course.
We then stained them to match the floor leading up to the steps.
Since the steps were going to look new, I knew we needed to re-finish the woodwork on the railing and going up the steps as well. I got busy with the sander and removed 100 years of varnish, stain, and crud.
I applied the matching stain…this is just the start but I had to take a picture.
My Better Half started to install the steps. First he put bead board on the front of the riser. Then added the tread…it’s gonna look sooo nice!
Ok, fast forward days, or more like weeks to see the finished product.
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There you have it…my new steps. I’m really glad this job is completed. It was a long time coming but the results were worth every minute.
What a lot of work, but they look great and will be so easy to keep clean!
Don’t you just love it when you start one project and it makes other things look so bad that you MUST redo that too. I love it! You did a Great job! I think the mirror would look great if you painted it white. I’m your newest follower. Hope you can visit me sometime soon.
My stairs look the same way except with green carpet. I have been wanting do something with them for several years. I am going to show my husband your blog post. After seeing what and how you did your stairs, I feel we could do the same thing. You may see new stairs on my blog in the near future.
WOW!!! What an amazing transformation!!!
I’d love it if you’d link it up to The After Party @ 3 Meadow Lake Cottage…
http://www.3meadowlakecottage.com/2011/06/striped-curtains-finally-and-after.html
~Erin
Wow what a neat idea- just cover up the old! I like the dark and light contrast. Lovely.
Such an improvement! We’ve been planning to redo our stairs too, but are leaning toward slate tiles at the back and wood on the top. Hubby isn’t sure this can actually be done though!
Great Job!! I love wood stairs like that.
That looks fabulous! I can’t imagine doing all that work, but you make it look easy. Awesome finds under the treads, too.
I just took the carpet off my stairs…I love yours they turned out so nice…hope mine do too.
Your new steps look wonderful! I need to do something with ours, both going upstairs and down into the basement. Hopefully I can get to work on them this summer.
Amazing work! Love this idea & it turned out fabulous. Great job!
~ Jess
http://sugar-bloom.blogspot.com/
WOW!! Amazing!!! How did you make your own treads – the bull nose portion? Those are simply gorgeous!! We are starting to look at redoing ours and will have to replace what the builder called treads and I would love to know how you did that!!
Again – great job – and WOW!!
Susan, we used a Round Over Router Bit to make the bull nose portion.
Thanks for the nice comments. I wish you great success in replacing yours.
Thanks so much!!! Now to see if honey can do that for me!
I hope ours turn out half as well as yours!
you did a great job – reminds me of my late grandparent’s farmhouse. Kudos to you and your husband on this wonderful transformation!
love IT ! Great job. i’m a new follower http://www.bargainfun.net
I would love for you to link it up to my party that is running now. Any linky goes.
http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/2011/06/any-link-goes-party-running-now-summer.html
Come strut your stuff.
I think white would look great but also a fun, bright color would look good too. Love your new staircase. It looks great.
Hi! Visiting from Remodelaholic.
This project was so worth the effort. Your stairs now look amazing. Great job!
You 'new' stairs are gorgeous! I want to re-do my stairs, and they're only 8 years old. 😉 I think a color for your mirror would be great!
gorgeous. I want to refinish my stairs someday but I'm scared to start! Ours are also over 100 years old!
Wow! What a difference! Your stairs are amazing. Great job.
It looks amazing and it's truly inspiring. The difference from the first picture to the last is just stunning.
Love this!
I am a new follower.
Nice job ! I love the wood steps. Not sure if you decided about the mirror at the bottom of the stairs but I would paint it black like the dinning table chairs. It would really pop on that gray wall and help it look more updated !! The white or wood look makes it look washed out.
it look amazing and impressive…just stunning. I really like it.
Roman shades concord, ca
Did you ever do anything with your mirror? White with aging glaze would be pretty. Or the french blue color that you paint with chalkboard paint, distressed then waxed would be pretty too. Luv your site.
Your stairs are gorgeous! Good job on the makeover. They look great!
Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos
http://decoratedchaos.blogspot.com
Could you please tell me what shade or brand of stain you used? Thank you! You have inspired me to get it done!
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to yoսr host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol