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!
Rhonda says
One quick visit to your blog and a peek at this project – I’ve bookmarked you, girl! I’m in the midst of trying to pretty up on the cheap myself, so I need connections with some folks not afraid to DIY.
Those stairs are what you might call “value added”! Love them! 🙂
Pam says
You know, if it really bothered you, you could hot glue some really neat braided trim or something over the staples and the raw seam. You now, how upholsters often hide their work on furniture. Or better yet, upholster tacks would look good hammered in too. I think your stairs look beautiful and that you are a talented and brave woman!
Rose says
Wow! That’s about all I can say. You did a fabulous job and they look so great! Such a neat, clean look. I have a set of 14 stairs going from the entry to the basement that I’ve been fussing about for years. I think you’ve given me just the boost I need!
Pam Fitz says
Oh, Rhoda it’s stunning! Wow! I mean, WOW!! My hubby is officially mad at you for putting this idea in my little head!! I must have stairs like Rhoda’s!!
Beth says
I’m a new blogger and I just adore your blog! I’m a fellow southern girl, myself. I love what you did with the stairs but I especially love the fabulous green color in your laundry room. Please tell me the color and brand! =)
April says
Wow, Rhoda! I think they look better than the expensive stairs! Way more character! I’m sure there were moments when you wondered if it was worth it, and your hard work DEFINITELY paid off. An amazing transformation!
jewelee says
I am floored (or should I say staired) by this.
You did such a beautiful job!
Bridget says
Awesome job!
Laura @ PARING DOWN says
THIS is exactly what I have been looking for. I have builder grade stairs underneath my ratty brown carpet, so I am really excited to see your moulding tips!!!
Jenn says
I love how it turned out. When I first saw the picture of the final product, I just KNEW you had great looking step underneath that carpet but WOW it was nasty! I probably should do something like that with my steps so I can’t wait to see the full “how to”!!!
The Pleasures of Homemaking says
Rhoda!
I just LOVE it! It looks so fabulous! I love the runner down the stairs – it just gives it the right amount of pizazz! Good Job!
Manuela
denise sabia says
I love this! I would be deleriously happy too. Fab job!
lexlocilori says
Hi Rhoda.
I love your blog. I just posted to your party– #69. I cant find a way to email this so I am posting to comments.
I have a question. I cant find the runner you said you purchased at overstock. I have two sets of stairs that I have ripped up the carpets and am in the process of refinishing (it is on my blog) but I cannot find reasonably priced runners. I did find a coir (made from coconut) for $200 each that may work though.
Thank you,
Lori
Alisha says
Hi Rhoda!
I’ve been checking and checking for this. I couldn’t wait! It looks really, really nice. I love the black treads and the rug. I would’ve pulled that carpet off, took one look and probably cried because I would’ve been overwhelmed with what to do. lol Someday I’ll be tearing my carpet off and will keep this in mind.
Pink and Polka Dot says
Rhoda, I’m flabbergasted at how great a job you did! They.are.gorgeous! I’ve been wanting to do the same to mine, but it’s a little low on the list right now. I’m completely inspired by your’s!
Jan says
WOW — I am SO impressed. Your stairs look beautiful. I figure if anyone get close enough to see a staple, then they’re looking for something to criticize. I would love to do a project like this and maybe I will in the future. An added challenge I would have is my spindles comes all the way down and are nailed into the steps. So — out with the spindles, which leads to….WROUGHT IRON spindles. I’ve mentioned this to DH, but he just keeps shaking his head and pointing to my list of 20 other items I want to do. He’s right. I will have to live with that nasty old carpet a bit longer. I think I’ll try to rent a steam cleaner and really spend the day working on them. Perhaps that will spiff them up a bit. But I regress…you did a WONDERFUL JOB!!!
Renae says
Rhoda,
You are a gutsy girl….I want the carpet off of mine too but am not tackling that, especially since the ones I an concerned about go from the FR upstairs.
Stephanie says
I just found your blog…while pondering what to do with my horrible carpeted stairs…I’m sooo doing this…at some point when I can convince my husband it’s a good idea! 🙂
Courtney @ nesting instincts says
Rhoda – I’m late to the party…just saw this post. AMAZING!!!! I love, love, love it! I’m thinking of doing something similar with my stairs, although I’m lucky…they are already carpet-less!