We’re getting close with the floors. We were all a little sore and tired, so we took a little break and focused on the fireplace this week, but I think this weekend we’re going to start laying the chevron in the library (yay!). So, since our floors are just about done, my eyes keep floating over to the staircase, which hasn’t been touched yet.
The plan was just going to do paint-grade wood in white on the risers and matching white oak planks on the treads. We will have to order oversized custom treads for the bottom three steps. They’re extra deep on the right side because of the curve of the staircase.
The lead time was a little longer on these and they were much more expensive that I was hoping, so I haven’t made any progress here. I feel sort of stumped and sick of spending money. And when I’ve felt like that in the past, I usually just end up painting the whole dang thing and calling it good. And truthfully, it might be a good interim option for us.
I could paint the whole shebang from rail to tread white or black or a combo of the two and then add a thick runner to the stairs to hide the planks on the treads, which bother me (I wish they were solid planks).
Or I could take apart the railing and replace just the baluster spindles with something a little cleaner-lined? It looks like all I’d have to do is pop off the little covers to access the screws. Seems like an easy enough job.
The curved rail is pretty simple and would be hard to replace, so I would plan to reuse it for sure.
And I’m thinking it would be way easier to paint the whole thing disassembled, so that’s another bonus. The prep would be a pain and all those curves and angles on the balusters are terrifying to think about covering at every angle.
It’s a hard choice, since these stairs are like the first thing you see when you walk in. It would be fun to have something special here. Then the other (lazy) part of me thinks, you know, whatever. Those balusters aren’t so bad. A little paint would go far there. And maybe black would be really cool (although dusty looking? Hopefully my house will never be this dusty again. blerg.)
Well, now I think I’ve officially talked myself into painting everything first before looking into anything else. Why not? It could look cool and worst case scenario is I’m out a little paint and some time, and then I can just move forward with ordering the expensive treads and replacing the balusters.
What would you do?
My favorite is always just using what you have with some paint and a little DIY. I think painting and a runner would be great. Replacing the spindles would be cool, but I think they'd be just fine as they are painted.
I agree why not paint first….but I'll bet you end up ordering the treads. All those beautiful floors will need a beautiful staircase.
Well, I think since you are still trying to make decisions, painting it and calling it good for now would probably be the right thing to do. This gives you a chance to live with it and make some decisions that will make you happy in the long run.
I have to admit though, if I had an entryway in Phoenix, I'd be tempted to go with a Spanish style detail I saw in older homes in LA. Beautiful tile on the risers and a concrete step. That may be totally wrong with the rest of your house but I see your staircase and I think, "Ooo, Spanish!"
Paint. We have similar balusters in our house which used to be awful cheap wood and I thought we would need to replace these very soon. But then I painted them and now I don´t think they´re so bad anymore. Paint! It´s magic.
I like the idea of painting white and black. Especially when you're in the middle of other expensive renovations. I love seeing your progress!
DIY projects are one of the most sought after remodeling. Homeowners want to be more involved and work together to complete task.
Good Post!
I would paint it and do an awesome runner and call it good. I think that it would look so good and be a great place to ass in some color. Also, construction dust takes forever to settle! I swear it hides and waits for you to dust and then it dumps itself:)
My vote is paint the stairs and do a runner (for now) but replace the ballusters. That is a LOT of work to paint them and my guess is you won't like them. with your gorgeous DOOR and WALK THROUGHS! I think you need something a little less…common.
Paint! I used a color called wrought iron by Martha Stewart. It's gorgeous, but shows dust since it's dark… just beware of that when choosing colors such as black. Although, I'm sure you've already thought of that.
I'm with you and the other commenters. Paint it now, return to it later when you have more money, time and energy.
http://www.fullbellywornsoles.com
Just a thought…our house has a frillier-than-we-would-like hand rail as well. The top rail is painted black laquer and the spindles are painted matte white. The stairs are carpeted. It doesn't show off too much dust and the laquer gives it a little something more. Runners are fun or you could do that cool ombre look on the risers I keep seeing on Pinterest. Best of luck!
http://www.viewalongtheway.com/2013/08/how-to-install-iron-balusters/
Check out the inspiration pics on her post. And it seems she has links to some inexpensive and easy to install sources. Good luck! You do beautiful work!
I'd paint them – but if it's going to be apart anyway…(slippery slope!)… some straight balusters would be really pretty. I was just looking at this today: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/6685099417102855/
If you are going to paint the treads why not speckle and fill the cracks between the panks first?
With everything you're doing around the rest of the house I would DEFINITELY replace the balusters while you have it all taken apart. I think painting the stairs is a good move though
I would paint the spindles white, paint the risers white. Leave the
railing and treads as is, put down a runner. Call it a day. It is a classic look. You can always revisit it later when you have some extra money set aside. You have sooo much still to do. Once you have more furniture in the foyer, art on the walls, etc. your staircase won't be the only thing to look at.
Paint black and white. It's the best decision from a cost perspective, and if you don't like it, you are out a can of paint and some time. I think it would be a different decision if you had a firmer idea of what you wanted.
it would look so much better/cleaner if you took down the rail entirely and painted the stairs white
I would paint the risers white and the rest a dusty turquoise or whatever your favorite accent color is. Maybe keep the underside of the railing white and/or the spindles for added contrast.
I also like the idea of painting them – I'd vote for black treads and risers (with runner), white spindles (less dust showing), and either black or white railing . As for using the existing spindles vs. new ones – clean lines are lovely, but there's something to be said for working with what you've got. Do you think the sprayer will help you move this project along more quickly?
I picture the balusters painted white and the center sphere on each spindle a bright color.
I think painting would be a waste of time if you don't like the shape of the balusters. They appear to be oak and the grain would show through, which would really bother me. Keep the handrail, though, and fill the grain with joint compound, then paint. As far as the expensive stair treads, can't you just piece together regular sizes with some epoxy? That's what I would do. I use marine epoxy (like West System) all the time for specialty projects like this. It's so easy to use and sets up within 6 hours. Good luck with this! The shape of the staircase is really beautiful, so whatever the finished product, I'm sure it will be the highlight of the space.
Paint- dark charcoal gray, and on the rails add a couple of stripes like you did on your schoolhouse light over sink– in peacock blue!!!
That is a tough one…
But, you have gone to all the trouble to replace the floors, and it would really be a shame to just ignore the stairs, especially since it is such a gorgeous architectural piece!! Replace those ugly treads and get it over with now while your place is dusty. Live with the railings for now and see if paint changes your mind.
I faced this same dilemma and I get it – stairs are so expensive! If I were you, I'd paint for now. I painted my railing black and spindles white and I love it! (We did replace the stairs but man that is not cheap and I think paint could go a long way in your situation.) I also had the rounded bottom step but we removed it and added a chunky post. If you'd like to see pictures, feel free to check out my story. Good luck. I know whatever you decide will be stunning!
http://www.4inspirationsphotographyblog.com/suzanne-mcgrath-photograp/2013/08/thrifty-thursday-or-notwood-stairs-details.html
I'm with everyone else here on painting, at least for the stairs. The balusters bother me too, so if the cost was minimal to simplify them, that might go a long way to making the whole look simpler. And if you're going to paint the stairs, I'd definitely try to use caulk/wood filler/whatever (I'm sure you know exactly which application would be best!) to fill in all those cracks planks. Filled/sanded, painted, and with a nice runner (or not)- I'd bet you'd never even know they were there!!
ΔΔΔ Supposed to say "…I'd definitely try to use caulk/wood filler/whatever (I'm sure you know exactly which application would be best!) to fill in all those cracks *between the* planks…" I got too excited about my idea, lol!! ;)
Im liking the idea of a runner. Something fun. Might be a practical choice with reducing noise.
Paint. You totally hit the nail on the head.
"It could look cool and worst case scenario is I'm out a little paint and some time, and then I can just move forward with ordering the expensive treads and replacing the balusters."
Have you thought about replacing the balusters with iron? We had a very similar staircase and the balusters drove me crazy. Ours were white though but I hated the shape. It was actually pretty inexpensive to have a company come out and replace them all and I had a lot, 117 to be exact.
It sounds like paint is a good first step. Why not?
It seems like paint is a good first step. Why not?
Paint first. I vote for a very glossy black and white with a fabulous runner. All are much easier than replacing virtually the whole thing.
You could also throw in a punch of color on the spindles – something bright and modern to tone down the traditional shape.
The planks on the stairs bother me, too. I wouldn't be able to live with that… but maybe if I saw how expensive the right treads are I could. I'm pretty cheap, but that's just not what stair treads are supposed to look like!
The last picture shows an awkward transition between the bottom tread and the base of the (decorative?) rail that comes out of the wall. Could you remove that whole thing? Well, not the whole thing — the spindles and rail on that side and the "plank" piece. Then replace the bottom tread with one piece that wraps around the wall?
I know you are a more modern decorator but I think your staircase would look very elegant with a nice paint job and a chic runner. Delores from Vignette Design has a gorgeous vintage home with a painted yet gorgeous staircase with a leopard print runner that is to die for. You should check it out. Anyway, good luck on your endeavors and I know whatever you decide to do it will be great.
Have you considered having your builder straighten out that angle on those last few stairs? I correct it in my head every time I see it! Not the wall or the left curve of the staircase (hallway-side), just evening up the last three steps so when they land on the ground floor it is flush with the wall, then you'd lose that half baluster on the right (door side). although you'd have to fix the flooring a bit. Whatever you decide will be gorgeous! Good luck.
Have you considered having your builder straighten out that angle on those last few stairs? I correct it in my head every time I see it! Not the wall or the left curve of the staircase (hallway-side), just evening up the last three steps so when they land on the ground floor it is flush with the wall, then you'd lose that half baluster on the right (door side). although you'd have to fix the flooring a bit. Whatever you decide will be gorgeous! Good luck.
I hope you aren't tired of hearing opinions!! My husband and I recently helped a friend refinish his stairs while he saves up for new hardwood. We ripped up the carpet (gross) and painted the plywood subfloor black using industrial oil paint. It seriously turned out fabulous and has sold me on painted treads and runners forever. It doesn't look dusty! If I were you I would be over spending money, too…hang in there!
I would definitely change the balusters to just a simple craftsman style for now. Super cheap and I bet it would change the feel dramatically. I would paint the treads for sure and paint a runner as well using industrial oil paint. If you paint that allows you to fill in/even out the planks with filler or plastic wood. A great place holder for new treads! Unless you want to fulfill a dream of mine and install this brass beauty…http://www.houzz.com/photos/1796909/Hall-traditional-staircase-new-york
Every change you've made has been truly beautiful! Push through!
Paint it! I'm assuming you could use your new spray gun?
Treads in black, risers in white, balusters in white, handrail in high gloss black, leopard runner. Or, a little bit different would be to do the balusters and handrail all high gloss white.
see http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2013/06/stairway-to-heaven.html/photo-1-12-2
To save time on the spindles, I would paint just the stairs and the railing. It would look pretty with black stairs, a neutral runner, and white railing (or vice versa)-just to save time. Of course, anything you do is always amazing!!
You seem to have good instincts on whether you can work with a design problem or not. You should trust your belief that you can paint it and make it work as is. Like Kara, I'm wondering if you can knock off that entire decorative piece on the right side. It's awkward but might be code. Speaking of which, are you needing to get permits for any of the work you've done? You can't as much change a lightbulb where I live without a visit first to permitting!
I'd paint the stairs but replace the balusters. Good luck – I'm so enjoying watching you transform your home!
Yes! What Lori said – and that is exactly what I want to do with mine :)
I vote for removing the railing and balustrades. My mother in law had a cool Pietro Belluschi house in Portland with out a railings and is was so chic.
I vote keep the railing, lacquer it black and replace the spindles. Replacing them would clean and update the look a lot. As for the stairs, paint them for now while you rest and save the money and make that splurge later. That's my two cents but I would trust your gut way more than mine. You know your shiz. :)
I know you're not exactly asking for advise, but i would clad the spindles and make it a covered ribbon staircase. It would take a color better and make it a sculptural monolith in the space and help give it the presense needed in all that space that surrounds it. This style could be made as traditional or contemporary as you would like. The area is so light and airy so i wouldnt worry about covering things up.
I would go for painting. But maybe replace the spindles. Your foyer looks to modern for those scrolled poles.
I also like the idea of a runner. Maybe you find some inspiration on this side:
http://cooledeko.de/interior-design/coole-treppen-vorleger-leben-sicherer.html
I like the blue-beige carpet in the picture with the kitchen.
Just be careful about white painted stairs. While black will show dust, my white staircase, while lovely, shows every bit of dirt and every scuff mark. I've been trying to figure out a solution for a while – runner? dark treads, etc…
What about painting the stairs a green-grey. (Like a darker version of your chosen wall color.) I think it'd pair beautifully with your new floors, and with a graphic (black and white?) runner it would look fantastic! (And as a bonus it wouldn't show scuffs OR dust :) )