Its done! whew, am I glad. So are the dogs, they have been penned up way too much to keep them out of the construction mess. Plus, I knew that Twinkle wouldn’t be too much help with the stair painting. She’s helped me paint before and it usually means tiny little footprints across the room.
Remember last week, I had this?
Now look!!
My stairway had been quite the hodgepodge of wall art, none of it really went together. It was dark, gloomy,a nd I could never keep that carpet clean.
Plus, we have an old house, but the upstairs addition is only 15 years old. I always thought that the stairs looked too modern, plus the whole area was just blah.
Because I was too short to reach up into the corners of the ceiling, I had to paint the walls and ceiling both the same color, I simply couldn’t cut in with a brush. It all had to be done with a roller on a pole.
I am a big believer in painting your ceilings a color instead of white. but might have preferred some contrast here. Oh well, its so much better than before!!
I also edited and rearranged the artwork hanging on the walls.
(of course, that also means that I had to redo a wall in another room to make space for the family pictures I took down from the stairway, but I already said, one redo automatically leads to another!)
While I had them all down, I painted the frames white and distressed them. It is a much more cohesive look. Instead of it being the place where my unsold watercolors go to die, it looks like a gallery! (well, not quite, it is still full of rejected paintings!)
While I had the white paint out, I redid all the wood work too, including the banister and the old door at the top of the steps.
A little splash of Strawberry Whopper Pink in the background livens up my living room a bit too.
The thermostat had always bothered me, since it was glaring white. I toned down the brightness with some glaze, and also glazed the closet door next to the sofa.
I had to do the same with all of the steps and trim. After painting them a semi-gloss, bright white, I brushed a pale coffee with cream color glaze into the crevices and cracks, then wiped it all down with a wet rag torn from an old T shirt.
Next, I wallpapered each riser with some gorgeous, old vintage rose wallpaper I’d bought on Ebay. I used Elmer’s glue instead of wallpaper paste, for a tight hold.
When I stood back and looked at the finished work, I was worried it was just way, way too much.
The wallpaper was in such good shape, it didn’t look old!! Too white and too perfect.
So, out came the glazes again, and I toned down the glaring newness and some of the busy-ness of the steps. They are still pretty durn busy, but in a way I can live with now. 
And since I was redoing…. Beth had given me this iron arch, it was originally brown. (yes, she is a great friend to have around, isn’t she??? I bought her lunch, but think this arch is worth more than that.)
I painted it white and glazed over it too. Then painted the mirror white, it had been gold, and I’ve used it as a center piece for my white dining room table since Christmas. But I am getting a new table this week!! The top of it is pecan, not painted, so the gold mirror, just wasn’t going to work there any more. Plus, it is always time for a change!
Since I had already repainted or glazed:
stairway walls
stairway ceiling
door at the top of the stairs
banister
steps
kick board
trim
closet door
thermostat
the picture frames
iron arch
mirror
Then, I figured, why not paint the corner cabinet in the dining room, so it will look better with the new table that I am getting this week? It had been a white-white, and I painted it more of a creamy white. Not a big deal to most people, I guess, but it mattered to me. I added the ornate piece at the top of it. I had to stand on a step ladder and hold it in place for about 20 minutes, waiting for the liquid nails to dry. But I took a book with me, it needs to be read before book club next week and I keep putting it off. So, there I was trapped for a bit, with nothing else to do, a perfect time to get some reading done!
You amaze me Karla! Your energy and drive to get a project done are sorely needed at my house. Everything looks fabulous – esp. the stairs.
Karla
FRICKIN AWESOME!!!! OMG….clap clap clap…(at this point you curtsy and blush…nah…..lol)
BIG HUGZ!
Just beautiful!!! :-). You did an outstanding job. Boy I understand and relate to the work part of it. It’s hard work to make things nice isn’t it? :-). But oh so worth it in then end, when ya sit back and take in the beauty:-).
Have a wonderful day!!!
What an amazing makeover on your stairs ~ Love it ! Mine are still just waiting without the carpet for the next step ~ you get sooo much done :)Thanks for all the inspiration 🙂
crystal
oxox
Your stairway came out gorgeous Karla! And thank you for the mini-tutorial, I will mentally file this project away in case I ever move to a two-story. 🙂 Looks like it can be used for lots of other projects too. You’re amazing!
Karla, your stairway looks A M A Z I N G!!! so beautiful!!! you are so inspiring!!!
The stairway is just gorgeous!! Everything is. I so admire your creativity and resourcefulness.
The stairway is amazing. I love the wallpaper you used. All of the other little details you painted also look fanstastic.
Way to go!!!
Karen
Hi Karla!!
Wow! I just found your site today, while doing a search under “dumpster diving”. (how’s that for a reference?!)
Honestly, I didn’t even know where to begin to post a comment, so I quit looking around and just hit “post” from where I was. What a wonderful, wonderful website!! Great ideas, and beautiful outcomes…you’re certainly inspiring and I will come back again and again!
Hi Karla!!
Wow! I just found your site today, while doing a search under “dumpster diving”. (how’s that for a reference?!)
Honestly, I didn’t even know where to begin to post a comment, so I quit looking around and just hit “post” from where I was. What a wonderful, wonderful website!! Great ideas, and beautiful outcomes…you’re certainly inspiring and I will come back again and again!
I’ll look forward to seeing what you’re up to next!
Kelly
omg! The stairs are GEORGEOUS!! Should be on the cover of a magazine!!
Karla,
This looks amazing. You must be happy it is just like you imagined… the color of the walls is perfect – a hint of pink.
You made me laugh out loud – I can so see you on a stepstool reading a book! You WOULD have to be doing more than one thing at a time right? Too funny.
Cheryl
Hi Karla,
Found you through My Romantic Home’s blog. Your staircase looks amazing, what a big project that was. It looks wonderful! Stop by sometime and visit my blog. I love visitors.
LeAnn 🙂
OMG,I am calling you the Kansas Whirlwind~look what beautiful work you did in just a few days. When you put your creative mind into doing a project, you DO IT! Amazing and beautiful, can’t wait to see it in person:)
Carol
Love it! What an adorable stairway now. I can’t believe the stunning difference.
OMG!!! Your stairs turned out so beautiful!! I love the pink walls too!
Breathtaking,,, stunning!
I am worn out just reading all that you did! Where do you get your energy Karla? Cuz I want me some!!
You inspire me girl!
Your stairs are absolutely beautiful! Do you think Rich will even notice? Everytime I think you have outdone yourself you come up with something even more spectacular to do. I should have taken you up on the computer room & spare room “switch and decorate” when you offered but I just couldn’t imagine completing it in a day. Now I know that you could have.
Wow, you did quite an amazing job with these stairs. Your staircase looks beautiful. Karla I was poking around your blog and you are amazing. I can’t believe your energy and inspiration. Between decorating, crafting and enjoying your family you have amazing energy. Your blog is gorgeous. Blessings, Karen
Looks awesome! Love it 🙂
Oh Karla, your stairs are just charming !!! Now you have me thinking what I can do with my stairs xoxoxox Clarice
Karla, You have always intriged me with your crafts and art, but sugar I am going nuts, simply nuts over the stairs!!! To say I love them is an understatement!!!! When I leaned back in my chair and staired at the screen i was even more amazed how great they looked against your sidebar rose design! Checck it out!!! Sweets, you deserve a BRAVO for what you have done!!!!!!I LOVE IT! Lori
Wow, that is quite an accomplishment to complete all those items. The finished product is divine. Thanks for sharing it.
You.
Are.
AMAZING!!!!!!!!
I can’t say anything new because AMAZING is what you are!!! The stairs, and all of the other touch ups, turned out so fabulous! I need some air–you take my breath away with all of your energy. Keep inspiring us–as if you could ever stop!
Marilyn:)
My sweet little Toaster friend…..do you ever sleep? Seriously, you can do more in a day or two that most people accomplish in weeks! You are the Energizer Bunny of the Creative World!
Hugs to you my friend,
Heather
Wow! You sure have been busy! Amazing transformation on the stairs~just beautiful!
Makes me wish my house had stairs *just* to do this project on!
Super-Karla is back and better than ever! If you could bottle that energy and sell it, you would be rich!
Beauteous!
I’m very impressed with your attention to detail.
And as far as your ‘rejects’ art gallery – why don’t you put those up on etsy? I bet they’d be gone in a flash!
wow! your stairs look great!! fabulous job! xo Britt
WOW Karla you have been busy !
Those stairs just look amazing. What a huge change, everything looks totally gorgeous! I should think you’d be exhausted now..LOL
Great job, just BEAUTIFUL !
Hugs,
Shannon
p.s i am having a giveaway in honour of my Website opening if you’d like to pop by and enter
xo
What an amazing transformation Karla!!!
I love the stairs!!!
The stairs looks wonderful. Great work!
You have a stunning staircase there Karla!.. freaking AWESOME
Gorgeous, you really outdid yourself… The Dorkies seem to like it also…
What a fabulous redo! I am totally amazed at the transformation. I wish you could bottle some of your energy and sell it on Etsy….I need it! 🙂 Rosie
Karla! it turned out SOOOO beautiful!!!!! what an amazing transformation. I bet we will be seeing these in a magazine article in the future. 😉
Having my first swap! Come see!
xoxo Heather
Karla what a talented lady you are – outstanding job!
xo
mary
Your stairway is absolutely stunning! I love the pink so much I went out and got some pink whoppers. Your energy and imagination is inspiring. Thanks for sharing with us, Kris
Wowzer- I love the stairs and the pink stairway. That is my new favorite shade of pink. And since one redo leads to another, I think you need to start pinking up that living room for spring!
Karla
Love it, love it! The stairs look absolutely like they have come to life! Great job!
Karla, you’ve outdone yourself once again. Those stairs look absolutely gorgeous now! I so wish I had some stairs…making a note to self for when I get some 🙂
Hugs,
Dena
Oh.My.Gosh.! I can not believe how amazing those stairs look. I love that you distressed them a bit too. And that paint color is Yum-o! I’ve resisted the pink whoppers at Walmart but man, I can see where you got your inspiration from. And. Am I the only one to notice your thermostat is set to 60 degrees at 9pm? Were you running around like a mad woman for several days to keep warm? LOL! Love everything you did here!
Absolutely fabulous karla.
Alison
Wow! I knew it would turn out fantastic. I like how you distressed the wallpaper and repainted all the frames white to complement the stairs. You should sleep well tonight!
WOW! You ARE worse than me! But, better as well. This is beautiful and FAST! Good Job!
Your stairway is absolutely gorgeous!!! It looks so inviting, it makes me want to go up those stairs and peek at the beauty behing the door at the top. Love the pink. I also think you should put your stairway gallery of paintings on etsy, why wouldn’t people want to buy them!!!
Cute dorkies on the stairs.
Jacquelene L.
Toronto, Canada
Wow Miss Karla you have been one busy girl!
I love your new wall decor and those puppies are just too cute!
Karla, this is amazing! How do you have the patience? I just love it. What an individual touch!
OMG, that’s amazing!! I can’t believe how bad your stairway looked before. LOL
What color of paint did you use to make the glaze? This summer I want to try and glaze my doors. Right, now they are a bright white and they need to be toned down. I really don’t want to repaint the doors before I try the glaze. My walls are a butter yellow.
~elaine~
HI Karla, havent visited for a bit but so glad I checked back as I am loving those stairs. They just look amazing! Ok now you have started something, am eyeing off my stairs now….
Alicia ~ time worn style
Oh Karla,it looks amazing! And I love what you did to the door at the top of the stairs! You must be so proud of yourself.. That is so magazine worthy!I hope you are going to submit that! LOVE IT!
Jen R
You are so funny! The things you think of to do are amazing! I looooove the stairs! They turned out just wonderful! You must just smile everytime you go past them!
Wow, Karla
your stair turned out so beautifully, I love
the roses! Pinkie
OMG I swear I need you out on the next plane to Melbourne!!!! You’re amazing Karla!!! You’d have my house whipped into shape in about 3 days at this rate!!! Me, it would take about 3 years!
Karla, well you have out done yourself this time, your staircase came out just beautiful, fantastic, gorgeous where do I stop, I can’t believe under the carpet where those beautiful little ornate features on the rises, something so beautiful covered all those years, well all the decorating you have achived, just stuning, Congrats on your beautiful swan.
Hugs
Kirstie.
Ohhhh Karla those stairs look fabulous!!! I love them glazed, so vintage! You are a creative workhorse!!!! I wish I could get as much done in a day as you do!! I am painting bedrooms right now and so wanting to hang pics and rearrange….only want to do the fun part!! Can not wait to see your new table too! -Sandra
love it….it looks wonderful….
Karla, I think the stairs look great! I love the door at the top of the stairs!
Hi Karla,
WOW and double WOW! Absolutely gorgeous! Love everything and those stairs are well so YOU and gorgeous!!
Have a blessed day.
Sandy
LOL – around here we call that ‘but first’ syndrome. All projects here include the phrase ‘but first’ or ‘while I’m at it’. That is the reason there are so many unfinished projects around here!
Love everything you did. It all looks great!
Beautifully done…. I can’t believe what you accomplished in a few days…
You deserve a Standing ovation …
Louise
Great job!!!Absolutely beautiful!!!!!And I love the pups too.
You rock! That would’ve taken me about a year to complete (I’d have started it but got stuck on the first hitch!). I forgot how good your decoupaged wall & slipcover turned out!
That is amazing. I read about you getting this as an idea and here you accomplish all this in such a short time.
You are very talented and an obviously hard worker in getting this done so soon.
Very inspiring to us hesitant, can-I-do-this ladies trying to do stuff around our homes.
Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your staircase is gorgeous. You just know that it must lead to even more beautiful rooms.
OMG, the thought of you standing and holding the bracket in one hand and reading a book with the other for 20 minutes?! how funny!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the stairs! I almost wish I still had stairs so I could do the same treatment. I don’t think it’s too busy at all, but then again, I like busy. It is gorgeous!
I cannot believe this massive project. I adore it — everything looks perfect, right down to the frames! And it looks great from the living room, too. This is really stunning and you have my highest regard! (By the way, are your back and shoulders paralyzed from the odd positions you must have taken to get the wallpaper on the stairs — and reach that ceiling! You deserve a massage!)
The sweet pups look so dear on those steps! Four stars!
It looks fabulous!!! Great job!!
I also am shouting “WOW!”. The stairs look fabulous!!! I am totally with you on the cream versus white…they are SO different!! Your husband is going to be shocked at all the change when he’s back! But then he’s used to your decorating whirlwind of change! Your stairway looks so pretty now… lovely art on the walls!
HOLA KARLA!!!
LA ESCALERA TE QUEDO PRECIOSA,MAS LUMINOSA Y MODERNA…GENIAL.
LOS PERRITOS ADORABLES,LOS TRES SON TUYOS O SOLO SENTELLO?
UN BESO DESDE ARGENTINA
JORGELINA
Sorry Karla, I must of read it wrong, well I do love the little ornate features, they are a beautiful touch to stairs, well done! But I do have to say you are the queen of comments as I’ve never seen so many comments on one blog before, you go girl.
Hugs
Kirstie.
Your home is love and your stairs look awesome. I have the extact same set up as you as far as the staircase looks and I pulled up my carpet last November. I was thinking about painting the area that you papered but now that I’ve seen your stairs I think that is the cottage look I want and it is going to be my next project. I am definitly bookmarking this page to show my superman.
Suze
I love the stairs and the art work! What a difference..beautiful!
Gorgeous! If I saw this in a magazine, I would rip it out and save it in my favorites folder! You never cease to amaze me. Susan
Totally love the stairs! Just love them. They look very much like your style and something that is so vintage and romantic. Love them! Amy
i LOVE that wallpaper on your steps! GREAT idea =) debbie
Hi Karla!
Stunning stairs. So beautiful!! Oh, and I think strawberry whoppers are the bomb – yummy!!
-Karoline
WOW!!! What an undertaking and the results are AMAZING!!!! Looks like the pups love it too!!!! Have a wonderful day!!!
Awesome ! What a great job you did ! So very romantic !
Hi Karla,
Oh wow I love it!!!!! now I really wish that I had stairs!!!
Cheers Linda
The stairs look wonderful! And I have to say, your watercolors are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing this.
That looks great!
I just ordered a roll of wall paper to do something similar to the steps leading from the dining area to the living room. After seeing how yours turned out, I know I’m doing the right thing!
Thanks!
Terri
what a fun blog you have! I love to see work in progress. your stairs turned out beautifully. I agree – much better than the carpeting. they are darling!
That is fantastic! I am doing something similar to my stairs, although right now it is in my head…. I pulled up the carpet on the stairs two months ago and it still remains undone…..I have my supplies, so my intentions are good, now I just need to find the time and motivation. Yikes! Your hall and stairs are absolutely WONDERFUL!
~Lolly
godness Karla! It’s amazingly beautiful. You have done it so good. Were do you got all your energy from?? I only getting 10 % of what you are doing in the same time. Clever and talanted woman, that what you are! Hugs /linnea-maria
Hey there Karla,
WOW!! You have done an amazing job on the stairs, What a fantastic way to transform an area. It has really brightened up the whole area!! Well done.
Mandii
Hi Karla,
At the risk of coming to your blog one day and finding that you’re hosting another swap (laugh out loud)…I’ll go ahead and say what I am thinking. I love sprial staircases and was wondering what a set would look like with this treatment? I’m also wondering if I could make a set of little stairs or buy some and do what you did? Now each step you take is even more pretty.
If i were to sign up for a free flicr -will that give me the ability to comment and post pictures to your birdhouse flicr?
Also…how’s the St. Pat tags coming? I know, I know -this is a day early to even ask…are you ankle deep in tags? Made my birdhouse from the ground up -so far the only thing super vintage-y is the fence, the embellies will pretty much be handstitched or enhanced. Happy weekend to ya.
Wow, I would never have thought to do that with stairs but what a lovely outcome…very unique. I enjoy your blog and ideas….
Blessings,
Debbie Kay
Wowowow!!!! Wow! I knew they’d look wonderful…and that photo with the dogs is just adorable! I tried to comment on today’s post above…it asked me to sign in with a typepad account which I don’t have…
where do you get your energy? everything looks beautiful, really, really stunning!
now, when you say you are using a glaze… what would that be exactly? i hear that product all the time, but have never purchased any. looks like it be great on a variety of projects.
kecia