If you are new to the paint series this is day 16 of 31 days of the Power of Paint. If you'd like to see the entire series click HERE.
Painted & Stained Stairs
Our stairs were covered in an ugly blue felt carpet that was glued down with what appears to be TAR. Not kidding, see the before above. We tried sanding it off and stripping it off and nothing worked. So we pulled up the stairs, one by one and flipped them over both the steps and the risers. We took them out to our front yard and sanded them, filled the holes with a stainable wood fill and stained them with Minwax English Chestnut stain.
Here's a close up of the finished steps. I used Tung Oil with a Low Gloss to protect the finish. I didn't want it to be too shiny. These are the stairs to the "Kids Zone". They take A LOT of abuse, so I figure a shiny finish would just be a waste of time. I opted for the all ready worn look.
We painted the risers with Porch and Floor paint in a satin bright white. I love the contrast. We did make some dings and dents to the walls pulling out the boards. I think it was worth it and after seeing the new stairs with my Squash colored walls, I think I will repaint them anyway.
What I really want to do with the stairs now is, paint a quote on them. These samples from Pinterest have really motivated me to do it.
I love the use of song lyrics on the red stairs.
This quote is simple and thought provoking. I wonder if it's just vinyl lettering?
I think this last one appeals to me because I would be painting it on the stairs that my kids use constantly. Particularly the Whine Less, Talk Less part. :) {Not that they would slow down enough to read it but one can dream.}
Other quotes I am considering:
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit". ~Aristotle
"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." ~ R.W. Emerson
"There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in." ~Deepak Chopra
"What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step." ~ C.S. Lewis
I think the late one is my favorite. But I am still looking... any suggestions?
I love the idea of getting creative with stairs!
ReplyDeleteDid you say that you pulled up every one? I never would have thought of that.They look fantastic. As for the saying, how about....Mother knows best!
ReplyDeleteLove it. Great ideas!
ReplyDeleteI think the "tar" is just remnants of the rubber back carpet. I usually use a paint scraper and with a bit of elbow grease, most of it comes off. You got to be a die hard DIYer to deconstruct your whole staircase :)
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