That title just about sums up this entire post. And this one nearly made me hang up my DIY Diva toolbelt.
Not really, but this just might be my most challenging DIY project yet.
If I had any sense at all, I would never have torn the carpet off the steps, but I don’t and I did, so here we are now with something pretty spectacular, if I do say so myself. Carpet across blogland may be flying off stairs after this one. 🙂
Let me remind you what the stairs looked like BEFORE, matted ugly carpet that was wrapped around those ends of the stairs on the left, like a furry little animal. Not my favorite look. It was impossible to refluff the middle of the stairs in the traffic pattern no matter how much I vacuumed. 
And you’ll remember these beautiful stairs, which head to our upstairs rooms, which we had finished in hardwood when we moved in here 4 years. ago. The quote to do the downstairs set of stairs was an additional $1000, so that didn’t happen at the time. So, my goal was NOT to match this set of stairs, but to do something that would complement them.
I proceeded to rip the nasty old carpet off that downstairs set of steps……
And this is what I ended up with. Sad, isn’t it?! If I had any illusions that my stairs underneath were in somewhat decent shape, that was quickly put to rest as soon as I finished tearing off the final piece of dead carpet. I had myself a really BIG project ahead of me.
Can you believe the ugly here?
Not one to be put off by a challenge, I quickly embraced my inner-DIY Diva and set forth on this journey. I knew my carpentry skills were sorely lacking, but that didn’t stop me either. This pic was even after most of the hideous and evil tack strips were pulled off. That wasn’t fun either. But, this was what I was left with. Notice the gaping seams on the ends and underneath each step. There was nothing even resembling a finished set of stairs underneath that carpet. The best thing they had going for them was a nice thick stair tread.
I’ll save the complete HOW-TO for another post, along with all the rest of the horrible pics of just how bad the BEFORE state these stairs were in, but for now, let me just show you what I’m completely proud of at this moment.
You will NOT believe this until you see it! I promise you….
I know, your jaw is hanging to the ground about now, huh?? I can hardly believe I did this either, but I really did. With my own little nubby nailed hands.
I sanded, I puttied, I cut molding with my miter box (a whole bunch of molding), I caulked and I painted and painted. And I bought a cute little jute khaki and cream runner from Overstock (which looks totally different in the pic, but I do love it) to use down the middle. And I could NOT be happier with the outcome. It was totally worth the effort, the scratching my head and the nubby nails. 
And let me just say, as with all of my projects, this one is neither perfect nor would an expert carpenter pronounce it anything but wrong, but I made it all work for me and I’m pretty much over the moon about how this looks right now. And it did take a lot of work, but again, totally worth it. 
When I show you some of the close-ups, you’ll see nails painted over, raw wood painted over and lots of dings and staple holes. I think that all gives them plenty of character and isn’t that what we’re after these days. 🙂 Well, these babies have plenty of character, to say the least. 
This is actually the right side of the jute runner I ordered, but when I got it in, I totally liked the smooth side better, so that’s the side I used. 
A staple gun was what I used to adhere the runner to the stairs. Lots of 1/2″ staples. And I used black porch and floor paint for the stairs, so they should hold up just fine with 3 coats.
The staples do show a little bit but feeling particularly OCD, I got out my craft paints and just touched them up a little bit, but for the most part, they don’t show too bad. That I can live with.
Since I used the wrong side of the runner, there’s a raw seam on this side, but that didn’t bother me too much either. I just let it show at the top of the stairs. 
You can see here all the molding I had to add to the stairs to trim it out and hide ALL the gaping seams that were in these stairs. I’ll do a complete tutorial for you soon so you can see the blood, sweat, but no tears that went into this project. If I can do this, so can you! I was not fortunate enough to have nice and finished stairs on this project (like Sarah did on hers, lucky girl!!). These stairs were just about as bad as it could get. Wait til you see the other BEFORE close-up pics I took, then you’ll appreciate even more how great they look now.
Here’s a glimpse of how I finished out the end of the stairs with molding. This part was the biggest challenge of all, but I figured it out and cut all these pieces with my trusty miter box. Molding and caulk hide the ugliest of sins. 
I’m completely, totally and deliriously happy with my new stairs!!
You can see the entire How-To on this post!
And for a fun painted steps twist, check out Donna at Funky Junk’s staircase painting. It’s very cool and they don’t call her funky for nothin’!
Added to Shanty2Chic’s Made it Without My Hubby Party!
I am impressed, Rhoda! You did a great job! We had removed the carpet from our stairs about 10-15 years ago and they were pretty decent underneath, but not hardwood. I would love to paint them though from the oak stain we had put on. I’m dreaming of that dark and white look myself.
Absolutely and Totally Amazing!!! I can’t believe you did that all by yourself!!! Awesome!!!!!!
That looks amazing! Our stairs are on my “to do” list, hope they turn out as good as yours!
Great job!
Looks great! I have hated the carpet on my stairs since the day I moved in…and it was new carpet! They used cheap padding and the steps are already worn feeling in just 2 years. (And I live alone!) This looks like a great project for me since I already know that the steps are basic builder boards. Can’t wait to hear how you did it all!
Terrific job! I love the black and white look.
We tore up our carpet a while back (no I am too embarressed to reveil) and have been living with ugly sense. The stair part isnt wood and we need to figure out how to replace it then we can stain and not be so embarressed.
That is so creative and fun. I’m sure the process had you wondering sometime mid process, but like you said, the end result is totally worth it!
Gorgeous!
Becky K.
Hospitality Lane
Wow, Rhoda. That is unreal what you accomplished you divine tool diva. They look awesome. I don’t see any dings or bad places. Love the runner, too. They just look marvelous!!!
I am in awe. You are amazing and I can only imagine what Hubby thinks of his DIY’er,
A@WESOME do i dare try this? i am scared. but i love yours.. mishelle
Rhoda, Rhoda, Rhoda!!!! Girl they look awesome!!! Pat your sweet little southern self on the back-you did a fantastic job. I LOVE it!! Makes me want to do mine except for the fact I have those large sweeping steps on the bottom that make a half-circle. I am totally scared to even try & see whats underneath that carpet-its probably not even real wood!
Way to go!!!
Well, Ms. Rhoda … you are right about ONE thing, my jaw is practically resting on the ground. I cannot believe how this project turned out ~ you are to be congratulated (and maybe even bowed down to in a deep curtsy.)
Even better than I would have guessed. It’s the rug that gives it a real kick! So fresh and new.
Love it, You are The DIY Diva!
Wow Rhoda! AMAZING!!! They are gorgeous!
I smiled when I saw your before. They felt so at home for me as mine looked like that for YEARS. 🙂
Thanks for the shoutout too!
I just love the runner you added to yours. Knockout job!
Donna
It looks great! I was just looking at that same rug for under my dining room table! I feared ordering a rug so large from the internet but now that I see it on your stairs I may just go get it! Is it shedding much?
Oh my gosh, that turned out FABULOUS!!! You rock :)! Love the new runner, the stripes are my favorite thing.
Blessings,
Stacey
RHODA RHODA…..
I just returned from our trip to CA and what do my eyes behold…. BEAUTY pure BEAUTY……fantastic job I LOVE them….
I happen to be a carpet person….I KNOW shoot me now !!! But I am ripping ours up after seeing this……the honey do list just got LONGER !!!
Great job Rho….. I salute you !!!!
xo Kathy 🙂
Girl you worked it and you worked it HARD!! Very impressive, especially your trim carpentry skills!!! I hope you do a little relaxing until the next project. I’ve been wanting to do my stairs forever, but i just get an anxiety attack everytime I think about how much work is invovled!
You and your nubby nailed hands should be proud indeed!!!
This is incredible! Is there nothing you cannot do???
I’m lovin’ it!
Rhonda
Great job! Give yourself a big pat on the back for a job well done.
I am so inspired!
Awesome job! They are just gorgeous now. We redid our stairs a year ago and I just love them. It makes such a big difference in the rest of the house. Very clever idea covering up the ends of the stairs too.