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Home Decorating

Update - Foyer Stairway Redo (Pics)

15 years ago

It's been a long project....One that I had hoped to finish in May and now it's September!!

Before:

After:

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Comments (14)

TxMarti
15 years ago
Very pretty! I like the changes you made.
awm03
15 years ago
Oh how elegant! I can't believe what a big difference new carpeting and a new rail color makes! Very nice.
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I just want to thank everyone for the help and advice. Dh and I have decided to go ahead with the full re-model. We won't be changing the layout but we are going to replace flooring, cabs and counters. I've decided NOT to use the maple slab from my barn. I'm going with granite all around. I REALLY want to remove the soffits but I took a peek today and there is duct work through out! I'm really having a hard time with this.. just looking at them makes me want to cry. I just don't know what to do to make them blend in. They aren't just typical soffits that are near flush with the cabs.. they come out almost 2 feet from the wall, and 10 inches from the cabinets. They also have some funny angles that might make crown molding around the cabinets look odd? I'm going to post over on the kitchen forums to try to get more feedback on the soffits. Thanks again.. you all helped me with the motivation to for the 'real' makeover!
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IMO your big issue is trying to make carpeted stairs look elegant is kind of umm difficult :) I have two houses, one with five half levels and one with four full flights of stairs, only one flight is still carpeted. We found that the carpeting is MUCH slipperier than wood stairs. In our alaska home we just have wood and our son (4) has no issues, nor do his crazy friends (3-7) who run (despite being told no LOL) up and down them constantly. In Washington our stairs have a runner in a tight berber which seems to do well for slippage as well since we've not had any issues here either. With a runner you can get the look you are going for...that wood tread and riser but the safty you feel you get with carpet (I would disagree and say that it's better without, but that's just my opinion). I think to really get "elegant" you just have to have that wood peeking out at least a bit, even painted wood (if money is an issue as well) is more elegant than that first pic with all carpet. My son has been going up and down the wood stairs in both houses and has never slipped. I however did a couple of times...both times on carpeted stairs. We've been thrilled to have the carpet gone and plan on removing it in the washington home soon as well.
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Comments (33)
Chiming in w/my very first post here. :) I'm also in the process of updating my dining room. Our oak wood dining set is 26 years old. I considered refinishing it - and would've stained the top and painted bottom black, but the chairs are pretty beat up and I figured after 26 years, it would be okay to buy a new set. :) Love your hutch w/the table set and your fabric is lovely! Can't wait to see your curtains. My drapery fabric is due to arrive today and I am so excited to then be able to choose a paint color. I am finally done prepping my walls after taking 2 weeks to remove floor to ceiling wallpaper from my dining room, foyer and hallway. (ugh!) Once my drapes are done, I plan to convert a low dresser (an old family piece) into a server for my dining room. Love this site and all of the tips and inspiration here. Thanks for the pics! patti
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Can this foyer be updated without help/miracles?
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Comments (48)
"...That includes the detritus that Covid has littered our lives with, such as masks and sanitizers. Kristen Peña, of San Francisco’s K Interiors, noted that while we must stay safe, “it’s important that your entry has a more-welcome, less-E.R. feel.”" This made me chuckle. My local COVID rules mean my entry can't welcome anyone who doesn't live here and my family doesn't care if the entry hints at an E.R. The next tip recommends a Persian rug for the entry - a much better choice than an industrial grade one. I really can't wrap my head around that one for my 4-season climate. Salt and slush on a Persian carpet?!? *shudders* The article is behind a paywall so that's as far I got. Another question: what do I do after I have a mirror above the table? One person said the lamp was useless (pretty accurate), others said to get a taller one, or a wider one, or two lamps. What do YOU think? This is your entry to make as functional and as appealing as you choose. If the current lamp is useless, does it make sense for you to replace it or place two there? There are no actual laws about all this decor stuff. I happen to like the look of a table lamp and I would place one in my entry if I could. Do you have other table lamps in your house to try in the spot? Start with trying out stuff like that to see what makes sense to you function and look-wise. There's usually more than one way to achieve one's decor goals. And baby steps make a lot of sense for many of us! In my case, my taste and budget aren't even on speaking terms so I always start by deciding on a budget for a space before I get too enamoured with the inspo pics. The next consideration that truly determines my project scope is how much time and effort I have and want to deploy on the project. Your mind might be reeling from all the ideas shared in the thread but if you keep functionality in mind as you mull over the ideas, you'll be just fine. Best of luck with your project and hope you'll post "after" pics. :)
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sundial
15 years ago
Wow the new carpeting adds such a richness to the space!
User
15 years ago
very nice! I like the change of the chair too! I just loooovve that desk!
deedee-2008
15 years ago
Very pretty carpet runner. What color/brand stain did you use for the railing? Was it a pain to sand all that before you stained? I'm planning to redo my entry stairs, also, and I'm a bit worried after reading how long it took you!! Any helpful hints? Thanks in advance.
parma42
15 years ago
Much improved, good job.

I like the chair moved, too.
robynpa
15 years ago
That is an awesome makeover!! I love the carpet and the darker railings - perfect!
dilly_dally
15 years ago
The darker colors really make the space look a whole lot nicer. I like that you kept the spindles light in color for contrast. It make the space brighter and lively and doesn't give that railroad track look that it would have had by doing the whole thing in dark. Good call. Great work.
gk5040
15 years ago
Very dramatic, looks great.
teacats
15 years ago
Very elegant!! Wonderful transformation!

Jan
juddgirl2
15 years ago
Wow - it looks beautiful! 4 months past an estimated completion date is on time at my house!
johnatemp
15 years ago
It looks wonderful!! Beautiful carpet on the stairs.
Smiles:)
itsawrap
15 years ago
That looks great !!! I so understand why you went from a light colored carpeting to the brown. I have a huge problem with keeping a light color on the stairs looking clean. Your transformation really does look nice.

Is the entire upstairs carpeted like this or is it just the hall and stairs? What carpet did you select?
karezz
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank for all the compliments!! I am really happy with the outcome; feel like the space is so much warmer now!!

For those who asked...

Paint technique on oak railing: I can't be of too much help as I had a faux painter do it for me. I did all the sanding which wasn't too bad. I only had to take the 'shine' off - didn't have to take it down to the raw wood. On the hand rails, the painter used a dark brown paint mixed with glaze and polyurethane for a hard finish. For the spindles she used a lighter brown mixed with glaze (no poly).

Carpet: Nourisan by Nortex, Somerset Collection. Pattern: Scrollwork. Color: ST02 Khaki. It retailed for $65/square yard - I paid $50/square yard.

Here is a closeup (the color looks a little dull in the pic):

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