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!
What a great project! You should be VERY proud of yourself, it looks great! Now sit back and enjoy! *Amy
Absolutely amazing! One of these days I need to rip up the carpet on the stairs in this 110 year old house and I may get the surprise of a lifetime.
Herbal Blessings, Mandy
Rhoda! This looks so good! I know it was tough ripping off that old carpet, but isn’t it such a good feeling when you look at the result! ~Andrea
Hi Rhoda –
All this staircase inspiration… My foyer staircase is going to be seeing some of this action soon as it needs a revamp BADly. What I love most about your stairs is not only the hardwork you put into it and how great they came out, but the fact that you liked the wrong side of the carpet better and went for it. I have done this many times with fabric. Thanks for the inspiration I am looking forward to your play be play of the process.
Wow, those look amazing. You did a wonderful job.
RAD-ICULOUS!!!!
BEST LOOKIN’ STAIRS ON THE BLOCK GIRLFRIEND!
You ROCKED this project and I’m super impressed with your mad DIY skills!
Layla
i just stumbledupon your blog (SU) for the first time and i can’t tell you how impressed i am with your design skills and carpentry skills!……amazing,….i am a fan….maureenlynne
Rhoda, You are one industrious lady!! I know this had to be a very labor intensive job but you did not let that stop you. Amazing, Bravo to you Miss Rhoda, I am impressed! Kathysue
Girl, All your hard work paid off! The stair transformation is amazing.
I AM IN TOTAL AWE! When I started reading your post, I thought, poor Rhoda, she’s in for it now. You are an inspiration. Can I have a transfusion of your can do attitude and spirit? You have totally rocked the house with this one, girl.
Great job. Love it
I love how you did the stairs!! The black looks great and I really like your runner. Super job!!! Love & blessings from NC!
Hi Rhoda,
I am flabergasted by this transformation. I have been wanting to take up the carpeting in our staircase for sometime but hardwood can be so costly. I can’t wait to show hubby this post and I’ll be patiently waiting for all your before & during pics. I’m going to try & pick my jaw up off the floor now. TFS! Sheila
Wow, that is incredible! I took out the carpet here all by myself (900 sf). Tack strips and staples…oh my those took a lot of time to remove! Now the hickory floors have been professionally refinished and are much easier to maintain than carpet. Your stairs look great and look at the money you saved too.
Totally amazing!!!!
I am soo impressed!!!
OK now I have to redo the stairs to the basement.
Thanks for the non-stop inspiration.
Yeah, Rhoda! YOU ARE THE WOMAN!
Way to turn those ugly ducklings into beautiful swans. I know that was a ton of work, but it definitely was worth it.
Great Job! Now enjoy…
Your staris look beautiful I have always wanted to do that to mine, but didn’t have the courage. I can’t wait to do mine now. Looking forward to the how tos. Great Job I love your blog.
Wow! Rhoda, the stairs look so AMAZING! YOu should pat yourself on the back lots of times for this one project…….it looks like a ton of work but you pulled it off beautifully!
Bonnie
Oh my word, Rhoda….that is incredible! How long did it take you from start to finish? The stairs are beautiful and I can’t believe you added all that trim…and all the measuring & cutting!!! Fabulous job…just fabulous! Beth
All I can say is WOW! It looks incredible and I know what you mean about the traffic worn center bit of the staircase, sigh!You certainly don’t shrink from those monster jobs Rhoda…………..you really should have your own TV show and give we women more confidence when it comes to using tools about the house. Perhaps then we could tear up the ‘honey-do list’ and really get things done!
BTW, I really admired your recent post on how we design our homes – you told it like it is and perhaps helped many people realize one doesn’t have to follow trends to have a comfy, pretty home. I’m just gathering the things that I love and which I enjoy looking at as I go about my day. I never shop for new these days, as I’m having so much more fun trolling the thrift shops, antiques/vintage malls, flea markets etc. The good old stuff is out there and it’s much better than the new!
Thanks Rhoda for your kind words about my new blog.
Hugs – Mary (A Breath of Fresh Air)