When you have a stairway with lots of damage, you have to be ready to deal with lots of repair.
Or you have to get creative.
In our case, we got creative. We chose to install a type of board and batten on the staircase to create an upscale look, and to avoid all the wall repair that would have otherwise been necessary. Plus, there were a lot of the different (ugly) textures on the wall.
In the past week, Ryan got almost everything installed in the staircase, and I think it’s going to look super nice when it’s a crisp, clean white.
But I will say that it was a lot of work for him. That’s a lot of boards to install.
The pine “batten” boards cover the seams of the plywood underneath. I really like the grid look.
And it creates some visual interest on a pretty boring and closed-off stairway.
(As an aside, the process was very similar to our board and batten installation in our dining room. It’s still one of our most popular posts. Check it out if you are interested in our steps and tips.)
Update: If you want to see the finished staircase, check out these posts:
- Our full home renovation – including photos of our staircase
- The empty house when we moved – including photos of the staircase
- The so-far house tour staircase
What do you think of the wall treatment?
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Shalene says
Love the clean lines! Did you add railings & do you have a photo of it finished?
Kim Woodward says
We did! You can see it here – https://newlywoodwards.com/2012/07/pretty-painted-porch-railings.html
Shanade says
That is going to look absolutely gorgeous when you’re done with it. Great job!
Breanne says
That looks INCREDIBLE!!! I can’t wait to see it painted, your energizer bunny did a good job!
Erin @Domestic Adventure.com says
Such a good call on the board and batten. It already looks gorgeous and I can’t wait to see the finished result!
Handy Man, Crafty Womanw says
wow, that’s a ton of work, but it’s going to look great. We used to do that, too: put up panelling of some sort to cover up really old, damaged walls.
Shannon says
It’s things like this that is going to make your house be amazing. Like oh hey, let’s go upstairs, WOAH would you look at that stairway?!?! Unexpected details and whatnot…love them. And for reals, Ryan is pretty darn impressive. I tell you all the time how awesome you are but I don’t go on and on about Ryan enough. Way to go Ryan, way.to.go.
Amanda @ Little House on the Corner says
Oh wow, that’s a lot of work! But it’s going to be so fabulous! Kudos to Ryan!
Tricia says
Kim, it’s going to be beautiful! You guys are awesome!!
xo*tricia
karen @ our slo house says
Oh wow. Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow. Gorgeous.
Your man is very talented.
Arizona Lainey says
How clever is that? Another Amazing NewlyWoodward creation! We will be anxious to see the finished painted result. Love it!
alison says
WOW- that looks amazing! Can’t wait to see it painted.
Sara @ Russet Street Reno says
SHUT UP! I love that, it will be so amazing I want to puke. Seriously. SO jealous!
LizzieBeth says
That looks amazing!! I am now wondering how to achieve this look in my itty bitty staircase 😉
LB
Miss Mac says
LOVE IT! Makes me wish for a staircase 🙂
jen @ homeinthecountry says
You guys are rockstars. It looks great already… and I think it’ll be stunning once you paint it!
Carrie @ Hazardous Design says
Hi! Just wanted to say that I’m a long time reader, but I think this is the first time I’ve commented. I think your home is amazing! You should be proud of all the work you’ve done. It is very inspiring 🙂
Leigh says
Super impressive! What color will it be?
Lyndsay M says
omg amazing!!!
Joi says
I say it all the time…but you guys are DIY superstars!
Our Little Beehive says
LOVE! Soooo worth the work!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
It is really neat looking already, Kim. I can’t begin to imagine how much work has gone into that already. But that finished product will be stunning!
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says
What a fantastic idea – totally fantastic!
kim says
That was all in one week??! Holy cow, “Energizer” bunny is right for sure! 🙂
Megg says
Wow, that looks awesome! I can’t wait to see it painted white! Maybe next week??? 😉
I’m curious as to when you are going to buy a house and stay in it, or are you going to keep doing this? I don’t know if I could completely renovate a house and NOT stay in it forever!
I’m just curious and maybe a little nosy 🙂
ashley morgan says
Wow, wow, wow! That is gorgeous already. I might die when I see it painted. Amazing.
Cindy @The Flipping Couple says
Wow!! I love it. So beautiful! We’re going to do board and batten in the dining room, which I’m pretty crazy excited about.
Stephanie says
That staircase is going to look so awesome! I can’t wait to see it finished!!
carrie @ brick city love says
I LOVE it! Love love love. Gonna look totally fab painted.
Danielle and Clint says
VERY nice! Adds such charm to an area you wouldn’t expect it!
Emily says
Oh I cannot wait to see this painted out. You guys are so classy. What are your ideas for the stair treads? I’m sure whatever you’ve got in your creative head is fabulous.
Liz @ It's Great To Be Home says
Wow, that is going to look AMAZING!!! I would never have thought to do it in a stairway but what a perfect place for it. Can’t wait to see how it looks all painted and shiny!
Mrs. Adventure says
Wow again my jaw dropped with another amazing project – I’m thinking I’ll need to hire you guys to help once we start to renovate… once we move… ahem.
I can’t wait to see it bright white oooh.
*claire* says
wow! you can just tell that is going to look amazing! what a great way to add interest to such a large space. and way to go ryan, of course!
Andrew says
Wow – that looks like it was quite a bit of work. Ryan deserves a lot of credit – it can’t have been easy to get those all so straight.
I agree with Decorandthedog – it’s going to be amazing when it’s all painted white. What are you thinking for the stairs?
Andrew
Wholesale Flooring Ace
Haley says
BEAUTIFUL!
Kristi says
I love board and batten. Someday I hope to have a house that lends itself to classic touches like that. Then we would hire you and Ryan to come and help us install it. :o)
DecorandtheDog says
This is going to look awesome! I want to do this somewhere in my house…along with about 50 other things that I have to convince the husband are good ideas! 🙂