I love to share inspiration on how far terrible spaces can come.
Before:
Oh, dear Lord. This is, honest to God, the day we closed on our house. (Reminder: We didn’t live in it for six months.)
I’m fairly certain an episode of cops took place in this house. In this staircase.
The carpet had to go.
Ryan tore out all of the biohazard carpet throughout the entire house immediately. And, then we lived with the blue/brown combo, with the nail strips (don’t ask, it’s a soft subject) for nearly one year. Actually, almost exactly a year. It’s quite lovely, don’t you think? Unfortunately, since the upstairs wasn’t done, we didn’t want to trudge up and down redone stairs for six months of renovating.
But, soon enough, we were working upstairs. This is my favorite picture of Ryan. There are so many reasons. He is finishing the paint that I couldn’t reach and was too scared to try (such a great hubby). He’s wearing his signature renovation outfit. He’s wearing flip-flops. There is sunscreen on the bannister, which is so helpful upstairs. And, he’s clearly going to fall down the stairs and kill himself. (I clearly remember me telling him that.) This picture just makes me laugh every time.
After:
Anyhoo…. here’s the staircase after it was redone.
And, here’s the top of the stairs.
I think it’s clean, cute and fresh. What do you think?
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Emily Kate says
OMG we had a set of stairs that looked pretty much EXACTLY this frightening!
http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e117/ekloveconnection/House/?action=view¤t=house-ickystaircase.jpg
We had to rip ours out completely and redirect them (loooong story). Yours look SO much better now. It’s amazing what a little elbow grease can do!
Jennifer says
that picture of Ryan makes me so nervous! I would have had to leave the house, haha. glad you both survived!
(stairs look great!)
Kristen @ Miss Prissy Paige says
OMG – the picture of Ryan on the stairs makes me so nervous! I can’t totally understand why you’d like he’d take a plunge. I couldn’t imagine doing that painting, just getting on a step ladder makes me dizzy!
this blessed nest says
ok, i truly truly lol @ the cops episode & the shot of your dear husband standing on a limb…literally.
i would be very proud of this transformation. amazing.
just for the record…my husband would NEVER do anything like that. you have a good one, in my book!
Juggling Thoughts says
Fantastic! You have wonderful decorating skills. I’m still so impressed by all of the renovation you and your husband did. Brava!
Robin says
Wow! What a differnece! Looks great. I really need to do something about my steps. They are ugly!
Shannon says
1. My stairs are boring. Presentable, but boring. But thanks for the reminder to clean the cat hair off of them tonight.
2. Cops episode? Maybe. One of those shows on the True Crime channel about when the cops entered the home of a serial killer and found bodies buried in the basement? Definitely. And I mean that in the nicest way possible ๐
3. Ryan is insane. I’ve attempted some death-defying moves to paint awkward places but it’s been over the bathtub…and what’s that? A foot and a half fall? Call me crazy.
Emily says
LMAO at your stairwell being in an episode of Cops. The things you guys did to this house, it’s just unbelievable. Your stairwell looks phenomenal – you and Ryan can come visit and paint our stairwell while you’re here. I know, so generous.
Amy {The Red Chair Blog} says
Quite a transformation! I smiled about your Cops episode biohazard carpet. ๐
{ L } says
lol…loved how you described that pic! ๐ And wow, well done!
alexandjess says
Kim, what an awesome transformation. I have to say, my favorite thing in those pictures are the doors in your upstairs hallway. Those doors are beautiful! I’m so jealous.
Glad you don’t have to live with tack strips anymore. ๐
Amy@My Front Porch says
Ok, I have to come clean — I’ve been stalking your blog for about a month now — I love it! ๐
This is my first comment though…because I really just have to know…how in the WORLD did Ryan get down from that staircase without killing himself? Good husband indeed. I’m impressed ๐
Aimee says
I love the change! I am glad to know that someone else lived with carpet tack down for an extended period of time. Man I can not tell you how many times I forot and had bleeding feet!
TRICIA @ The Zoo says
Your staircase looks fantastic! I am new here, but your writing style really appeals to me. A bit sarcastic, and hilarious! (You know, the way I attempt to write, but probably don’t succeed at. ๐
The pic. of your husband over the stairs is a keeper! Frame worthy even.
You guys did a great job.
XO*Tricia
TRICIA @ The Zoo says
Your staircase looks fantastic! I am new here, but your writing style really appeals to me. A bit sarcastic, and hilarious! (You know, the way I attempt to write, but probably don’t succeed at. ๐
The pic. of your husband over the stairs is a keeper! Frame worthy even.
You guys did a great job.
XO*Tricia
TRICIA @ The Zoo says
Your staircase looks fantastic! I am new here, but your writing style really appeals to me. A bit sarcastic, and hilarious! (You know, the way I attempt to write, but probably don’t succeed at. ๐
The pic. of your husband over the stairs is a keeper! Frame worthy even.
You guys did a great job.
XO*Tricia
Erin @ Domestic Adventure says
That really is quite the transformation! Be proud of your stairs!
Jennifer says
Your stairs look great!! Seriously Kim everytime I see that pic of Ryan it makes me nervous!!! Lol
Lindsey says
WOW! What a transformation! Loves it!
Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst says
It looks so, so, SO! much better. ๐ No more creepiness! And if it makes you smile, that is all that is important. Your husband cracks me up.
Cindy says
Looks fab to me! Love the contortionist photo of your hubs. Been there, done that. ๐
Beth@The Stories of A to Z says
No need to feel inadequate girlfriend! Your staircase can stand proud and hold her head high next to mine anyday. It’s a great before & after and I’m thrilled that you joined my lonely party! I’ll try to come up with something to return the linky love.
HouseMama says
You did a beautiful job on your transformation!!! What a huge difference – it looks amazing. (p.s. my husband has been known to work from precarious angles too – what is up with that???)
Shannon says
So much better! very clean and pretty now. ๐