A Sneak Peek at Updating My Staircase

100 year old homes are gorgeous! That being said, sometimes they need a little lipstick. Some BLING! Something that says I'm not tired and dated. The staircase was beautiful, but there was too much wood for a dark and smallish foyer. I tried adding stenciling to the walls to bring some life into the room. It helped a little, but still there was no WOW factor. The wrought iron railing was screaming I can't compete with all this dark wood. I knew I had to do something. I must say that I lived with it for a long time before I finally told my husband what I wanted to do. He was not on board with me painting the staircase or the risers. He thought they looked fine. (Do tell me what man likes painted wood. Most of the time he thinks wood should look like wood.) He did agree that the staircase looked tired. He then did a Google search and found beautiful painted staircases. We both agreed that they should be painted
There was a lot involved before I could start to paint the oak stair riser. I had to caulk and apply many coats of joint compound. I will do another post on how I painted my staircase in detail.
Here you can see I've been plastering the walls. When I'm done, I will give everything a fresh coat of linen white paint. (In real life the walls have a creamy antique white look. Not the bright white you see on your screen.)
(Under the staircase)
Low and behold, it appeared there was once a pantry door under our staircase. It was nailed and wood puttied shut. When we removed it, I discovered it was in real bad shape.
 My husband said he could repair the pantry door. "That is if I really wanted it." I was jumping up and down saying YES!!! My husband will be adding new wood to the damaged areas of the door. Can you tell how excited I am. I have been wanting to update my foyer for a long time. The pantry will hold all my extra items needed for my kitchen and dining room. 

Here is the new bling I will be using for the pantry door.
 I think the glass knob will be the perfect addition for the pantry door. It will give some added interest and sparkle to my 100 year old English Tudor foyer. I spray painted the metal hinges an almond color to work with my decor. And finally the magnet latch will hold the door shut. Now all I have to do it get the door finished. 
Glass knob for pantry door...
I love BIG changes in small spaces. Don't you?



28 comments:

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Hi Dee! The stairs are looking beautiful!!! Hard work ~ great job!

Connie said...

What a huge change. It was lovely before, but now it looks so bright and welcoming. It even makes the space seem bigger :)
Great job.
Connie

Marti said...

Very pretty! I love your newel post and the wrought iron.

Brandi said...

Your hard work has paid off beautifully. Love the new look!!

Anonymous said...

that stair case looks beautiful, just looks like it was meant to be

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Dee,
That sure did open up the foyer and made it look so much brighter. LOVE the after-look and my only concern is for scuff marks from shoes on the risers... Hope that will not be the case!
Hugs to you and enjoy your weekend. That door will be great looking as well and giving you additional much needed storage space. How stupid can people be for sealing off storage space?
Mariette

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Your stairs look great, Dee, and I think it was a good compromise. I wanted to paint our stairs in the old house, too, white and then a darker stain on the step portion. Of course, my husband said "no", too. Then we moved, so that saved that argument!

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

I love the changes, Dee.

Dawn said...

Yep, that certainly did the trick. It sure brightened up your stairwell. Great choice.

Barbara F. said...

Beautiful staircase, Dee, and what a bonus of extra storage. Wonder why previous owners sealed it shut like that? xo

Linda Walker said...

Dee,
I need to paint my stairs too, yours looks fabulous! Not sure what I am going to do yet as my stairs aren't even as nice as your "before stairs." My husband and I are seldom on the same page when it comes to house stuff but somehow we always arrive at a happy medium!
Linda
mysewwhatblog.blogspot.com

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Love the stairs and what a find...Lord, I would take any extra space I would find!

Carol

Maureen Wyatt said...

The painted stairs look great and any extra storage in an old house is like a gift from heaven!

Meredith @ The Laundry Can Wait said...

Love what you've done.

XOXO,
Meredith

Meredith @ The Laundry Can Wait said...

Love what you've done.

XOXO,
Meredith

Linda said...

Funny what a little paint can do.
Love them! I'm seeing this look more and more these day.

Barbara @ 21 Rosemary Lane said...

Wow huge difference Dee! I love it! Can't wait to see the finale. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday weekend!
XO Barbara

Anonymous said...

Dee, I love the addition of the white risers! I know this was quite a project, but it was well worth your effort! You staircase looks stunning!
I also love the ideas of opening up the space under the steps! What a great idea! You have to have a special love for older homes and your's shows!

Debbiedoos said...

What a huge difference Dee. WOW that really made a difference. Gorgeous! can't wait to see your pots too.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

It's amazing how little changes can produce stunning results. It's bright and cheery and I love your bling for the door. xo Linda

Jeannie and Linda said...

Wow Dee, your staircase looks beautiful! I wanted to see the inside of the closet! What a find- extra storage space for more stuff!

Peace,
Linda at The French Hens Nest

chateau chic said...

Painting your staircase sure highlighted the pretty details of the rail. Love the transformation of your entry way, Dee!!
Mary Alice

Calypso In The Country said...

Dee, the stairs look gorgeous! I would love to paint mine - especially when I see such beautiful results!
-Shelley

Rhissanna said...

Oh, this is going to look gorgeous, Dee. I love the crystal knob for the door. Bling and authentic, how cool is that?

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

What a transformation! That is a lot of work, but it was worth it. Great job.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You've made some wonderful changes. I'm so bad about seeing things for so long...that I don't see them any more! Love glass door knobs...they are so elegant!

Little Miss Maggie said...

The white looks so much brighter and updated. You're right. What man doesn't love wood. I prefer the painted look myself, but around here hubby wins. I'm glad your husband was more open minded.

Linda said...

Dee guess what we found when we pulled up the carpet on the stairs. Oak.
Hubby used a cleaner and restore it product and they look new.
Our the spindles and banister are pine so we are going to replace with oak.
I love the look of yours, but I don't dare paint the risers after all his work...

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