"S" is for Stairs #2

Basement stairs makeover.

I just had to paint a runner on these stairs.

They lead from the kitchen, which was just refinished, to the basement which is semi-finished.

And here's the finished steps looking from the basement:

Does it make you want to sing "Oh my starry eyed surprise."

The wood was already very distressed (the house is 60 years old) which made painting easy because I didn't need to be perfect.  I wanted a rustic, rough, worn feel.

Here's the before.

 

The kitchen is all new and fresh and you open the basement door to this?  Something had to change.

This eyesore was driving me crazy.
Little red carpet pads, mismatched railings with brassy hardware and knicked up risers.

A before view from the bottom:

Perfectly utilitarian, acceptable but not attractive.

Now they're so beautiful I want to keep the door open all the time!

Here's how I made over the stairs:

1. Removed carpet pads and tacks.  Sanded with 120 grit on the mouse sander.

2. Painted risers (semi gloss white) about 1/3 in from outer edges plus trim on right.

3. Drew "stripes" with pen right onto steps and risers:

4. Painted white stripes first:

5. Then red (Behr floor paint ), then blue (Behr floor paint lake view):

6. The risers got a second coat of red and blue.  Then traced star and painted white.

7. Sanded to distress.

8. Taped off edge of white stripes on risers:

9. Applied one coat stain Minwax antique brown.

10. Applied three coats clear satin poly to seal.
* Step 9 & 10 only apply to steps and painted runner part on riser.  Don't stain or poly the white part of riser.

11. Paint white part of riser one last coat.

A bit patriotic, a bit nautical, fun for the kids and a bit unexpected when you open the basement door.

More detail shots:

Before and after from the top:

 

From the bottom:

Up next - board and battan on the left wall.

Now I'm definitely painting the subfloors in the master bedroom, just have to convince hubby to sleep downstairs for however long it takes!

I'm linking up to: