Gel Stain Staircase. I need serious help with colours

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I bought a new house about 10 months ago and I love it. What
I noticed before buying the house was that the previous owners had Brazilian
Cherry installed throughout, but left the staircase Oak...not honey
colour...but a bit darker.

I had full intentions of replacing the staircase to match the rest of the
house...that is until I started receiving quotes. $15,000, $20,000, 25,000.

So I had this idea. White pickets and either Gel Stain or Wiping Stain on the
treads and railing. My problem...that I can't seem to choose a colour to blend or
compliment. Can anyone help?

The first photo, yes there is ceramic in the foyer...that's going to be updated
next year. But if you look, you can see the Cherry wood in the family room off
to the right of the photo. Upstairs is completely Brazilian cherry

Featured Answer

Debbie Downer

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Where is this Brazillian cherry of which you speak - is that the floors? Its appropriate that the trim/staircase etc. not match the floor - in fact if it did, it would be too much. Id think long and hard about attempting gel stain on such a prominent visible location. Unless you are experienced in wood finishing, those stairs have many corners, nooks, crannies where the stain would blob and be uneven - which can be dealt with a dry brush, ifyou know what you're doing. But still as above poster suggested, that heavy opaque stuff isnt the best for oak.

If I was ambitious I might strip and remove the light orangey finish (cant tell if its the varnish that yellowed or if there is a yellow stain under the varnish) and put on a more translucent walnut stain (not gel) that would harmonize a little better with the floor, while still letting it be its own beautiful wood - doesnt have to be matchy with the floors in fact a little variety is a good thing.

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Comments (130)

Debbi Branka
7 years ago
That's so amazing!! A lot of work but perfect!
badgergal
7 years ago
As you already know that is an incredible transformation. It certainly dresses up you place. Really makes it look richer.

Give yourself a few pats on the back. I bet there's more than a few people on this forum that would like to hire you to do some jobs like that in their houses.
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Thanks everyone! The floors are actually a dark mahogany but I didn't have lights on in pics so the variation didn't come thru. We just bought the home in June, and did the floors throughout the 1st floor earlier in the month, so I plan on doing the stairs in a bit. We have a second "back" set of stairs that goes up to the bedrooms from the great room so we'll need to stain them at the same time. I'll defer to a professional to stain them though :) I think I might go toward a sitting area for the kids while they do shoes and backpack stuff in the am. Im looking for a bench like this. Any tips where to find one? I've tried Wayfair, Joss&Main, Birch,Ballard and even Amazon to no avail. Any ideas? I've messaged the IG poster but no answer. Thanks again!!
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User
7 years ago
Can you imagine how you would have felt year after year if you hadn't done this? Or if you'd PAID someone else to do it? Or if that someone being paid kept suggesting shortcuts? Spectacular!
Olychick
7 years ago
I noticed you posted some other questions on the Houzz side. I think we want you over here on GW, but I shouldn't speak for everyone :-) It would be great to see what you do with the rest of your spaces.
akl_vdb
7 years ago
That is nothing short of amazing.

We still have frog tape on our tiny powder room tile in order for me to paint the baseboards. It's been 5 months.
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
Olichick. Sorry, apparently I'm a bit slow. What is GW?
Debbi Branka
7 years ago
GW is GardenWeb - which is where you're posting at. GardenWeb used to be its own website, which is where all of us oldtimers came from :) Then Houzz took over GW and now that's where you're at.
Olychick
7 years ago
Thanks for explaining Debbi, sorry for the confusion jp. The Houzz side has Design Dilemma and a few other sites, but this one where you are now says GardenWeb Home Decorating. GW also has a kitchen design site, as well as a bathroom design site, in case you're tackling either of those in your new home. I just know I'd enjoy seeing what else you take on and lots of us here don't ever venture over to the Houzz sites.
nosoccermom
7 years ago
Wow, it's amazing how it brightens up the whole staircase. You must be super proud!
ghostlyvision
7 years ago
5 star job, it looks fabulous!
My3dogs ME zone 5A
7 years ago
If I say that the stairs now look as good as the home owner, I know
everyone reading this post will agree.

Plus, you're a
perfectionist...if humans could be cloned, I can't imagine how many
would want a jaceparratti to work in their home. I hope you take that
in the spirit in which it was meant - a huge compliment! You've done an incredibly high quality of work.
beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
7 years ago
I'm late to the stair party (because I saw "gel stain" which makes me nervous...) but I'm so glad I ventured in because this is a remarkable job. Beautiful and well done!
seww1
7 years ago
Oh My Goodness!!

Jace, you have transformed your entry! Great job
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
lol. Well. I'll let you know how the Gel stain holds up in a month....when the polyurethane cures. It's dry mind you, but have read that it takes about a month to cure...so no dragging laundry baskets up and down the the stairs.

Thank you for the compliments...everyone. I'll try to stay in GW...but honestly...I have no idea how I made it here. I was just looking for advice on colours and applications. This post has grown legs.

I might have to start a house blog. lol
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
By the way. The level of skill required? I'm a software geek. So minimal I guess. Just patience...a plan...and pure drive
Laurie Gordon
7 years ago
Brilliant, I've enjoyed following your progress and thank you for the details of a splendidly done job.
nutsaboutplants
7 years ago
Wow! I can't believe your patience and skill.
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
I'm back at it everyone....swapped out my foyer lights with pot lights and about to paint it all. the craziest starts again
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
not sure if my pics attached
Debbi Branka
7 years ago
Love this!
gardener123
7 years ago
Unreal! Great job!
nini804
7 years ago
Lights look great!!! Now I want to see the paint!
lisa_mocha
7 years ago
Wow! Amazing job....looks beautiful!!!
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
Lol. Okay. I haven't finished painting yet. But it's being done in Revere Pewter using Ralph Lauren paint. here is a sample
hooked123
7 years ago
I love the new paint!!
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
thanks Lisa bland Sabbath. It's super cold in Ontario...so a painting day it is
akl_vdb
7 years ago
We're neighbours! Also cold in Manitoba!

Looks amazing!
rebeccamomof123
7 years ago
Too bad you didn't YouTube this whole process, you'd be a viral sensation! This is one of the most impressive DIY jobs I've ever seen!
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
Lol. I'm generation X. Could you imagine...all those years ago...when you had to write the "what I want to be when I grow up" essay.

"I want to be a viral sensation." Oh..the times are a changin'

Anyhow. Here is the 98% finished front foyer. My old 90s decor has now left the building. just need to lay new floors and a new front door.....YEAH!

Oh...and I'm still in love with my gel stain stairs. they're holding up amazingly.
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
talk couple more
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
pics are not showing up?
hooked123
7 years ago
It looks so much more updated! I love the color on the walls. You have done a great job.
hooked123
7 years ago
I asked my son what he wants to be when he grows up and he said something that makes money so I don't have to diy everything like you and dad. Hahaha good luck I told him.
nini804
7 years ago
The new color looks so much fresher! Great job!
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
am I supposed to be just adding to the same post? My Gosh it's 2 miles long.

Ok now for the crown molding. There is tons on it in this house. All different styes and designs...the hallway and the kitchen are the tamest. however they are gloss white and yellowing.

So Home depot has a sale on the Behr Ultra White ceiling paint. I figured I would paint them with that to see how it looked.

AMAZING!!!!!!!

My ceilings look a foot taller and the crown moulding looks like plaster....not painted wood.

BTW. if anyone is wondering. redoing the stairs....changing out the 90s lights with pot lights....painting a two floor foyer...hallway and upstairs hall way. The cost? about $700 CAD
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
you can't really see how amazing the crown moulding looks...but here
patty_cakes42
7 years ago
Jac, when I first looked at your pics I could have sworn you were in S Ca, as your home looks almost identical to my previous home, especially with the *orange* wood.(how I hated it)! I honestly have never seen it anywhere else. To see what you've done, and how nicely the gel stain worked is nothing short of a miracle, but man, what a job to tackle~I always wanted to do *something*, but there was so much of it. The difference is like night and day for sure, and yes, you should have captured your efforts for a you tube video. Adding the crown is the piece de resistance. Congratulations on a job well done! As an aside, have you considered changing out the door hardware to an oil rubbed bronze? Not necessary, but an thinking how nice it would look with the darker wood.
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
New Project. $14,000 Restoration Hardware outdoor furniture build for $2,500. I sat this weekend. Should I start a new post?
Olychick
7 years ago
amazing! Yes, start a new post and blog, lol! Although I did love revisiting your wonderful foyer transformation in this thread.
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
done. I will post everything.
Jace Parratti
Original Author
7 years ago
ok. I have another post going....I'm not sure how to link it here...(and I'm a software engineer....lol) I'll figure it out tonight. But here is a prototype. I wanted to see how I was going to make it in speck before I documented how I did it. so here it is...a $3300 chair built to speck for $400
Jace Parratti
Original Author
6 years ago
finished product. final steps at a later time. sorry guys for getting to this so late. it's been a long long spring
Jace Parratti
Original Author
6 years ago
additional pics.
Olychick
6 years ago
Wow, those are beautiful. I keep waiting for you to say you sewed the cushions yourself, too! To link to your other thread, just open it, copy the info in the browser bar and click on the link icon below a new post. Or you can edit one of the posts above and add the link below one of the pics.
Jace Parratti
Original Author
6 years ago
no. I didnt see them myself that was professionally done. lol. But everything is 100% to speck. I did have to add another 2x8 behind the back rest, I didn't like the angle that it sat at. its much better now
hooked123
6 years ago
Nice job!!! I would love to read about how you made that gorgeous furniture!
Jace Parratti
Original Author
6 years ago
it will come. promise
Leslie David
6 years ago
Great looking furniture. Most people could never do those stairs.
renoitwell
4 years ago
Jace,

How the patio set holding up? Any changes you consider if you were to do it over again? For the arms, did you just lag bolt them together from underneath? Killer job by the way. What type of foam did you go with on the cushions? I’m seriously thinking of trying this out as well.
Lisa Cannon
6 months ago
This may have already been answered but what color gel stain did you use on your staircase?