It was 3 years ago right after we moved in this house, that I decided to tackle this project that I originally posted about here. In fact, click on that post from last year for all the details on how I did mine. If you have those light oak railings and banister on your staircase, you might want to do this too. It was a really easy project!
These top 2 pics are the Befores and you can see the dramatic difference that stain makes below. The beauty of Polyshades is that it’s stain and poly all in one. I did NOT sand, prime or do any prep to my railings, I simply brushed on the Polyshades to darken and deepen the color of the stain and I’ve been really happy with the outcome.
My foyer table has come a long way too. See how light the oak railing is in the above pic?
This is After: Polyshades Bombay Mahogany applied.
I was looking for contrast with the floors, so I’m fine with the 2 different tones of wood.
This color blends very well with my older vintage pieces of furniture in the living room too.
And I love the darker, richer depth of the stain now. I’m so glad I did this one! So, I’m digging this project up again, because I met a new blogger recently who was inspired by my post last year to do the same thing at her house.
(Kate’s foyer, BEFORE)
Kate at Centsational Girl, mentioned that my project had inspired her to do something with her plain oak railings in her house too, so she has just finished this project and I thought this would be a great opportunity to introduce Kate to those of you who have not yet met her. Kate lives in CA, has fantastic taste and a wonderful DIY blog that you will totally enjoy. So, click over to her railing project too. You will love her entire blog and be hooked like I am!
And, AFTER
Check out what Kate has been up to with wallpaper and moldings too. What a change! I just love it all. Notice how she painted the bottom of the staircase molding white too. Click over to Kate’s blog for all the details. She will tell you all about how she did it and the color stain she used. Now, I want to go back and make mine even darker!
Hope ya’ll will also be inspired if you have those light oak railings. This is a great way to get an instant update for just a little elbow grease.
very pretty!
our home has all light oak cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms and fireplace mantel. They are nice but would look much more up to date if they were darker.
I am assuming your method would work on them too?
Love this! I had no idea this could be done. I was envisioning lots of sanding and dust etc….Both projects turned out beautiful. A huge change and once again I am inspired! Thanks!
Are you ever brave! Staining in my least favorite improvement activity. thank you for sharing, no tthat it will make me reconsider – only be glad there are others who can do it!
Oh my GOODNESS……haven't been to Kate's blog in a few days and look what I missed. I have banisters so similar to hers and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what she did…….I wonder if my husband would disown me???? I am so head over heels in love with that!
thanks, rhoda!
Suzanne
Absolutely Gorgeous! Love the dark!
Rhoda,
I LOVE this project and thanks for sharing it again. I missed it the first time. This is exactly the inspiration I needed to tackle my banister. Thanks also for telling us about Kate's blog. I'm going over to visit now. 🙂
See ya soon,
Alisa
Oh.My.Word. I am rushing to the store TODAY to get me some polystain. This would be perfect for my foyer!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Oh, a big thank-you for this post, I have some staining that needs to be done, but I have been procrastinating because, I haven't had time for all the prep and mess. This sounds so easy, where do you buy the polystain?
Rhoda,
How rich your rails look, what a wonderful idea. Kate's looks amazing and so much better. You girls rock.
Cheri
Now that is dressing a staircase! I love all of her very classy touches. It must feel great to know that your blog inspires, Rhoda!
Becky K.
This looks really nice, classy! I need to tackle my stoop. Maybe I can match a polyshade to my already dark wood. I've been wondering how to do it myself, so thanks for passing this on.
What an elegant transformation for such a small budget and a little bit of work. Those simple touches really do make a big difference, even though it isn't a major change, the overall appearance looks dramatically different.
Now, if I only had a banister…. which means I would need a staircase….which means I would need a second floor…uhhh, I better stop while I'm ahead!
Have a super sweet day!
Hugs,
Gina
Rhoda ~ Your banister looks fantastic in the mahogany! Mine is currently oak (even the spindles), which I would have loved to paint but I think my hubby would have had a heart attack. It's okay though, we will be down-sizing soon and I'm looking for one floor living, so I will just enjoy looking at yours and Kate's. Her is fantastic too, btw. I love the way she added the molding and wallpaper to the wall – what a difference in her "before" and "after" shots. Just beautiful!
I just love the deep mahogany color you chose. Okay, my stairwell is going on my project list. Abbie
Rhoda,
What a HUGE difference this made! Oh my gosh…I love the new look….very rich looking!
I have been itching to do my railing too. I didn't know what to do with the white side boards though. I see you have both left them white and just painted the actual rails. Hmmm.
You were so right to stain that banister the darker color. It looks so much richer and goes more with your decor! I love that two story foyer you have!
Very pretty. I love the black and white lamp in one of the pictures. I must have one!
wow! I love her after pics!! love your darker stain as well as the black knobs on the chest. I don't leave many comments, Rhoda, but love coming here 🙂 I always leave a better person.
Oh my word, what a transformation in your railings and in Kates. They are both just absolutely stunning and look so up to date. I'm not a real fan of light wood and both of these look fabulous. Hugs, Marty