Runners for the Hallway.

Are you tired of hearing about my staircase revamp yet? I have to talk about it just one last time. A few months ago I ordered two runners from Urban Outfitters. It was the first time I've bought anything from there and I was a bit skeptical of the quality seeing as they were only $39 each (perhaps there were on sale when I ordered them because now they are $49). They shipped for free and arrived very quickly. I took them out of the box and to my delight they seemed to be well made with no visible defects. No complaints on this end, especially for the price. I would definitely try ordering from Urban Outfitters again.

Anyhoo.. I tucked them away, deciding not to put them out until I tackled the painting of the staircase. A little reward in the end for my hard work.. or a little motivation to get started, however you want to look at it!

Here is the rug in the downstairs hall. 

Beaufort was quite curious to know what I was taking a photo of.

Then he wouldn't get out of the shot. Insisting the door should really be closed.

There. That's better. Now he can get on board, showing off his good side:)

Here is a look at the other rug in the upstairs hall.

The runners are a flat weave and needed a rug pad to stay in place. I purchased a 5 x 8 pad and cut it in two. Feels quite nice underfoot.Cozies up the space a bit doesn't it? Now if I can just to keep them clean!

Staircase Revamp Reveal!

I can't even believe that my last post was August 1st! I planned to take the week off during our trip to Florida, then the following week slipped away from me as well and here were are Tuesday the 20th of August! Where did the summer go? Very shortly, I'll be back into school getting my classroom ready for the year.

The good news is that during my blogging break I finished the staircase! 

Let me tell you, I've never been so happy to have a project finished in my life. It was way more time consuming than I ever imagined and I will say it here and now - I am never painting another staircase for as long as a live! Ever.
A lot of projects have been tackled in this little old home but this one takes the cake. Not stripping layers of wallpaper, not chiseling away at tar tiles in the kitchen, not replacing 23 windows and a door.. Nope. Painting a staircase is the worst!

So enough with my rant. Let's take a look back. Here is the staircase before. It was made of orangey Douglas Fir wood and the varnish had become sticky over time. It stuck out like a sore thumb against the light maple treads and the light color palette of the rest of the home.

I washed down the wood really well, making sure to get rid of all the sticky varnish (I actually used Scotch Brite) followed by a light sanding. Next up was taping, which was certainly a job in itself. I used Frog tape around each post then went back around and pushed down the tape to prevent any leaks.

The first coat was with Bin 123 primer. I swear by the stuff when you are painting over wood as it really seals well but it's oil based with means you have to be really careful about drips and leaks under tape.

I assumed that after all was primed two good coats would be sufficient. Well, I thought wrong. After my second coat I realized it would need another. I'll tell you the truth...  I cried a little. I also silently hated Steph for getting to go to work while I was stuck painting. Woe me.

Imagine my pain when the third coat still didn't cover. I had a to do a fourth and the posts got a fifth! Yesterday, with great pleasure, I got to take the tape off. I discovered only a couple of leaks and was pretty happy to stand back and look at all my hard work.

While I was at it, I also have the risers a fresh coat as well. They really take a beating which made me consider putting a runner. I think it would be awesome but could be costly and I'm unsure if I could find something I like around here. Could be worth a look.

Here is a view of the painting railing upstairs too. Unfortunately I forgot to take a before shot but the change is quite dramatic!

Here are a few more from before. I can't get over how much the white brightens up the hallways. I had learned to turn a blind eye to the wood but it really didn't suit my style. Plus, now I really love the light maple treads. I always felt it looked funny that they didn't match before and now I think they are perfect against the white.

Just for fun, here is a big before from when I bought the house. I can hardly recognize it now!

What's next? Actually, right now I'm taking the time to do a little deep cleaning before I head back to work and sitting back and enjoying the finished product. All the while, dreaming up my next project...:)

Back soon!

Linking up to Serenity Now.

Staircase Update.

Thought I'd give you a little update on the stairs today. What a job! I knew it was going to be a bit of a pain but it's been more work than I imagined. So much taping, nooks and crannies to get paint into and much worry about drips and splatters.

Being off in the summer is wonderful and I am thankful I have the time to invest in getting it done. But yesterday was so beautiful after a week of rain and clouds that I put my paintbrushes away and hit the beach for the afternoon. It was wonderful!

Here is a look at my progress taken along the way. You may have seen some of these already if you follow me on Instagram.

Lots of tedious taping around each baluster. 

 

A coat of primer finished. I used Zinnser Bin primer. It's oil based so harder to work with but it's really the best product when you are painting over wood.

I started the first of hopefully only two coats of semi-gloss paint yesterday. I'm not thrilled with the coverage but I'm starting to see what the end result will be. So far, I think it's going to be worth it!

A few of you asked in my first post about the staircase, what I was doing with the stair treads. When I had all the floors refinished in the house 5 years ago, I had the stair treads done then. Which would explain why they were so light next to the handrails, posts and balusters. I plan to leave them as is and love the way they look next to the white. I'm praying to the diy Gods that I don't get to much paint on them in the process!

The unfortunate fact is that it's now going to be put on hold for a bit. For good reason though! We are heading to Florida on Saturday for the week! Here's hoping we don't melt in the heat! I had hoped to finish before we left but too much to do and people to see before we head out on Saturday. I'll have to settle with one coat for now.

Inspiration ~ White Staircase.

Once upon a time I wrote a post about my staircase. Where it began, how far it's come and what to do next.
Then..
I did nothing. I'm the queen of talking big and not coming through. I get distracted and onto something else.

Anyway, let's have another look shall we? Here was the staircase when I moved into the house. Actually, it's a pretty good example of how the rest of the house looked in general.

Pretty isn't it?

Right away, I had the treads refinished when the floors were done. I also painted the risers white. Looking a lot better.

I also did a little diy project by adding some moldings to give the look of recessed panels.

Over the last couple of years, I tossed around the idea of painting all the balusters and leaving the handrail white. Then I counted them all. Frankly, the thought of taping off each one so that I could paint, make me tired.

The good news is that I've realized I really just want the whole thing white. Every time I see white painted staircase, I'm even more convinced. Case in point, the latest edition of Style At Home magazine. I came across this photo in a spread about a beautiful Toronto home.

I'm sold. It feels so bright! Just what the hallway needs. However, there is a lot of work to before I could paint. 

• sand
• tape the base of each baluster, at the tread. (I'm not a fab painter)
• prime 
• Paint!

Now to find the time and the inspiration. I think it will be awesome.. what do you think?

*Update on the kitchen cabinet... I got a bit too excited. We had some issues with the drawers and they are coming back tomorrow to fix them up. If all goes well, I'll get some good photos this weekend!

STAIRCASE SOLUTIONS

One project I have in mind for the summer is fixing up my staircase. In the beginning, the stairs were in rough shape to say the least.

I had the treads refinished when the floors were done and I painted out the risers and trim white. Stephane showed me how to put mouldings on the wall to make it look like recessed panels. It looks a thousand times better than it did.

My plan was always to paint the ballusters white as well and put a dark stain on the banister. However, lately I'm inspired by all white railings and think maybe I should go that way. Well actually, I'll be honest. Painting it all out would be the easiest solution because I have this to contend with:

Keep in mind there are 48 ballusters. They meet up with the handrail so how would you ever tape that off?

So what do you prefer?

White ballusters and dark handrail?

via decorpad

via decorpad

or all white?

via sarah richardson

via decorpad

In the end I don't know if I could really paint it all. It seems too permanent. But it really would be so much easier and I kinda like it.

Also, since we are on the subject of stairs. Iif I ever build a house I would totally do this:

I think it's genius!