What a job! Removing carpet so you can paint stairs!
Removing carpet, tack strip and staples is never an easy job.
I painted the risers white, and we decided that we shouldn’t stain the treads due to the wood putty.
This set of stairs is at the very end of Jamie’s house. They lead to her finished attic bedroom. If it were a grand staircase in the middle of the house things would be different.
The people who finished her attic (previous owners) were NOT perfectionists. But all in all I am pleased with how they turned out.
I hope that she likes them. I know she appreciates all my help. I was able to do several other things for her, one of which was fixing her light fixture in her upstairs bathroom. It quit working a couple of months ago, and she was using a lamp! I always figure it’s best NOT to work on electricity while alone, so I waited till she could help me. It ended up being only a loose wire in the switch. She watched me, and now I think she could change out a switch on her own.
I also painted her hand rail. Here, you can see that I put primer on it. I forgot to take a picture of it after I painted it. It was one of the last things I did Saturday morning before I left.
This is the top riser. You can see that it was quite a mess. That is a rigged up cable TV wire running across.
I cut a piece of luan (well, actually Handy Graham cut it for me, cause it was his luan and his table saw) It slipped on there quite nicely after I notched it. But that cable wire was still a problem .
While visiting Jamie I also stained a headboard and foot board for her (pictures to follow later this week, hopefully) helped her paint her office, and worked on her storm door (the glass was loose)
Angela says
February 26, 2012 at 8:14 pmGail, I see you had problems with the paint bleeding through your painters tape. I have a tip for you. After putting your painters tape on. Paint over the edges of the tape with the color that is under the tape. It will create a “seal” and if it does bleed, no one will notice. Now paint away with no worries of bleed through!
Hilary says
November 13, 2011 at 12:13 amI don’t know if you will see this after so long, but I would love to know what you would do for uneven gaps in the wood stairs. I have carpeted stairs & would love to remove the carpet, but I know that there are big (inch or so) gaps in the edges of the stairs. Wood putty??
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says
November 19, 2009 at 5:42 amThe stairs are so beautiful – WOW!
Erin says
November 19, 2009 at 4:18 amAbsolutely gorgeous…you make me want to rip the carpet off my stairs!
Tracy Suzanne says
November 19, 2009 at 1:27 amBeautiful job Gail. They look just wonderful. I know your proud.
Thanks, Tracy 🙂
Beth@The Stories of A to Z says
November 18, 2009 at 7:41 pmIt looks fantastic. I think the white brightens everything up. And I completely feel your pain on painting those risers! I used tape on some steps and just gave up on others. My paint job is far from perfect but from a distance you can’t tell. (At least that’s what I keep telling myself . 🙂 Thanks for linking to the party.
nannykim/spindlecottage says
November 18, 2009 at 2:44 amNice–I have always had trouble with leakage with the painters tape–I prefer to use a painter’s straight edge thingy (but then you have to keep wiping it!).
I have white risers and was having lots of problems with scuff marks. I finally found that magic erase removes them quickly and nicely.
Leah@Storybook Ranch says
November 17, 2009 at 1:48 pmYou did such a great job on those stairs. WOW! I’m not sure I would have had the patience…
Staci K. says
November 16, 2009 at 8:47 pmThe stairs look great! I’m sure your daighter is thrilled wiht how they turned out.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
November 16, 2009 at 7:08 pmThe stairs look great! Good way to hide that cable too {I was going to suggest stapling it under the tread, but you solved it}. Beth over at The Stories of A to Z is having a staircase party coming up, this post would fit right in with that.
Beverly @ The Buzz says
November 16, 2009 at 5:34 pmWow! What a lot of work–but sooo worth it. Now you can sit back and enjoy the finished product!
sweetpicklesandchocolate says
November 16, 2009 at 4:06 pmWow! You did an awesome job on this and were sick to boot! I’m actually working on the same project. So far we’ve removed the carpet, tack strips and nails. You’ve given me hope that it will turn out nice.
Dena
sweetpicklesandchocolate
Julie says
November 16, 2009 at 3:33 pmYou are a loving mama. I know she loves loves loves you. Thanks for sharing the re-do. It’s fantastic. And thanks for sharing the mom-daughter LOVE. 🙂
Marla at Always Nesting says
November 16, 2009 at 3:25 pmYou are my kind of mama! I can’t just sit and rest when I visit my daughter. I have to be busy doing something productive and daughter loves it that I help. However….
I’ve never tried anything as grand as refinishing stairs. Which, BTW, look Fabulous. You are so incredibly talented and you have a very giving spirit.
Marla at Always Nesting says
November 16, 2009 at 3:25 pmYou are my kind of mama! I can’t just sit and rest when I visit my daughter. I have to be busy doing something productive and daughter loves it that I help. However….
I’ve never tried anything as grand as refinishing stairs. Which, BTW, look Fabulous. You are so incredibly talented and you have a very giving spirit.
Candace says
November 16, 2009 at 3:23 pmAll that and being sick too?! Wow!The stairs look great!
Lee Laurie says
November 16, 2009 at 1:22 pmThe things we do for our kids! I know that she is so happy to have you to help her do all of those things. The stairs look great!
Hugs,
Lee Laurie
Cindy says
November 16, 2009 at 12:24 pmI think it looks awesome Gail! What a great mama you are to do so much for your daughter….and we’re still dealing with the hanging-on sickies around here too. Hope you feel all back to normal soon :o)
Miss Madison's Mommy says
November 16, 2009 at 12:07 pmI think it looks great!
Pam says
November 16, 2009 at 11:53 amGail you did an awesome job.It looks great. I assume the brown is paint?
Pam
Feel better soon