Thanks everyone for being so nice (my lower back is just now recovering from this project!) Jeannie01 - In terms of attaching the paper to the risers, you do it just like you would a wall. You can use straight up wallpaper paste or get pre-pasted paper, then do the normal wallpaper process (soak, block, etc..) One thing to keep in mind - generally a stair is wider than the wallpaper roll. For my first project (with the circles) I picked a paper with a pattern that could go horizontal - this meant that I would simply cut strips lengthwise and then mount them on the horizontal for each riser. Does that make sense? There are not a lot of papers that can easily go horizontal, but some do - and it is a ton easier. For my second round of papering, the pattern cannot go on the horizontal so I had to paper each step with two separate pieces of wallpaper and match up the pattern. Not hard to do just a little tedious. You also need to be aware of how the pattern marches up the stairs and not get off kilter. Laxsupermom - you can totally use the photo, if you google wallpapered stairs - there are tons of fabulous pics. The black and white floral stairs from ferm living were my initial inspiration - love them!

McClark, yes the carpet is a solid tan (light tan). I love an oriental runner with exposed treads, especially coming down to a hardwood floor. Wish I knew how to post a picture, I'm going to do a search how to. Anyway, as you intuited, the stairs are very linear. No curves. Only one side of the stairs have exposed treads/risers. Due to the design of the staircase the "back" side of the stairs goes to the wall and the builder did not put exposed treads on that side, the carpet goes to the wall. IE, only one side of the tread is exposed So I wonder how an oriental runner would look in an asymmetrical arrangement like that. I will try to post a photo. We used to have a big dog, a German Shepherd, what a darling. Of course he scratched up the oak floors in two houses but I'd have him back in a minute! No replacement yet but nonetheless I am still a big dog lover and always will be. Marti, those really are pretty staircases, especially the curved silver one. They are clean and light and fairly contemporary. Mine is dark and fairly traditional, the dark being my main objection. I really have to post a photo. I will go look how to do that now. Thank you for finding and posting the photos.

"I want to update the tiles with tile decals. " In front of a fireplace? Looks like you use this fireplace, and you expect decals to last exactly how long?

I didn't mean to completely do away w/the curve! It was hard to find the exact photograph. I posted those so you could see some styles of the stairs. All I meant was to lessen it a bit to where you have that landing spot over the side I think this is a waste, too bulky looking, and rather dated. keep the curve, but not like that. Like this. what's wrong w/this one? It's still curved. you don't have that funky ledge either. This fits almost all designs too. also too, it depends on the style of the house, the room, the design. If you have a very classical or traditional home w/classical furnishings, then this would be fine But both of these are rather fussy and on the 'grand' side. Not quite Gone with the Wind, but in that neighborhood. The staircases I posted are little more fitting to a regular home and different styles.