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It’s hard to believe but we have been living in our home almost 2 years now! While there’s still a HUGE to do wishlist of things we want to change (I’m looking at you, kitchen) there is also plenty that we’ve updated to make it our own. Today I’m sharing the stair makeover that almost took the full 2 years to complete, due to our very stretched out timelines.
And just a warning, this a photo heavy post as I did go through all the steps in case you were also considering this makeover process and want to know what it entails. Resources seen in the post are all seen below so scroll down if you have any questions!
Before we get started let’s take a look at these stairs in their original state from two years ago.
It’s a beaut, ain’t it, Clark? Beautiful yellow hardwood, dirty carpet, and a 90s hand rail and railing look.
See that handrail? It will be moved in the makeover process.
First step in this stair makeover, was ripping up all the carpet and old molding. To complete the structure of the railings and treads themselves, we ended up working with a local company for the custom look.
I had gotten quotes from several companies, but all told me that they’d need 3 days and we’d need to move out to have it done since the top railing would be removed and it’s right outside the girls’ bedrooms. In came Maranatha Stairs of Wrightstown, NJ, who was able to complete full structural change in only 2 long days, breaking the project into two parts so we didn’t have to move out. My brother in law had used them more than once and I trusted them based on his experience.
Maranatha Stairs was very professional and cleaned up their space each day. One big change they suggested, and we love, was the removal of the rail from right side wall and instead created an extended “S’ turn wall rail on the left that wraps around to the top of the stairs. This seemed more pleasing to the eye to have an empty wall and a more modern look!
They did the custom stair structure itself, but they don’t stain or paint the stairs so Derek took over from here. He installed all the flooring in our house, so once they were finished with the stair structure, he had to install the matching wood floor on the landing and the whole top hallway that he waited to do until they were done.
A few months later he built himself his first Dexter kill room. I’m proud. It was used to contain the dust from his light sanding of the steps.
He wanted to make it was fresh and clean of any water drops or things they might’ve dripped on it in the last few months since there was a gap of time between the stair makeover and the staining process.
Weeks prior to this step, Derek created different formula mixes of stain until he got the exact one that was a close match to our floor. The girls and I went to my parents for the night and he was able to stain the stairs to match the landing and flooring throughout the house using his special, one-of-a-kind stain mix.
The stain came out beautifully and some weekends later he added the trim around the space.
Once quarantine hit, we decided to dive into the big task of painting this entryway space. This space is all connected from the front entryway to the stairs and all throughout the top hallway. It includes a VERY HIGH wall above the stairs that required lots of A-frame ladder maneuvers I’d rather him not repeat any time soon!
We broke the painting project down in two weekends and were able to finally get it all done.
Doesn’t it look GORGEOUS?
Here’s a great before and after showing the moved “S” turn wall rail and how it opened up this space.
Here’s another throwback picture from closing day of the girls sitting in their doorways 2 years ago.
And here they are in the same space now. New wood floor, new stairs, and new paint. See more of Brielle’s colorful bedroom space and Hailey’s mermaid bedroom.
We are so in LOVE with this stair makeover that took two years to complete! I’m SO PROUD of all the work Derek did to make it look like this and everything he learned along the way. He’s definitely a keeper. :)
Look for future posts showcasing how I’m going to style that blank wall in the entryway, including a table and mirror makeover!
Resources:
- Wall Color: Benjamin Moore’s Aqua Sphere (but we color matched it with Behr Marquee paint)
- Treads: White Oak
- Balusters: Poplar box newels
- Stain: custom mix
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