Well, the downstairs of our home is officially unliveable for the next couple weeks. Last night, we got all of the old carpet out in preparation for installing new baseboards before the new carpet gets in. We owe you a big update on everything else that has been happening down there–we’ve been busy with recessed lighting and built-ins in the media room/playroom–it’s coming!  But first, the stairs carpet was also removed which puts us at a crossroads:
The stairs have always been this “down the road we’d like to do…” and now, with the carpet off the stairs, it’s time to make all of those decisions! Ack! We originally thought we’d like to run the same wood tile on our main floor down the stairs with the carpet downstairs as a runner–to kind of connect to two spaces. But putting tile on the stairs is now sounding like not a great idea for safety sake or an easy job (we’d need to fine exact matches for trim pieces for the sides and bullnose). So, as unpopular as it may be, we’ll be carpeting the stairs. To be honest, I’m still trying to convince myself it will look as great as I keep saying, but I’m not sure we have other options right now.
But! That still leaves us with the option to change out the spindles and railing. It’s kind of now or never. You may remember awhile back, we painted our railings. They used to be this terrible orange-y oak that stuck out like a sore thumb.
So we painted them a high-gloss black (read more about it in this post). It was an incredible, budget-friendly improvement, but we’ve always kind of wanted something a little more simplistic and less curvy. Our two favorite inspiration photos being this one from Architectural Digest:
And this one:
We started hunting and found almost exact matches to the pieces in the second photo at Lowe’s and made a list of what it would entail for our space:
Newel Post Installation Kit x 3: $69.24
Newel Posts x 3:Â $200.85
Balusters x 30:Â $413.10
Baluster Flat Shoes  x 11: $18.92
Baluster Angled Shoes  x 19: $34.58
Handrail  x 2: $152.64
TOTAL:Â $889.33
We’ll likely pull the trigger on these purchases today and get it all installed ASAP. We also plan on removing the photos in the stairwell and putting in some trim and moldings instead. I’m excited about the the mix of modern simplistic railings mixed with traditional moldings. It’s gonna be good! So much to do before the carpet gets here, but we work best under a deadline. ;)
Would love to hear your thoughts on carpet vs tile vs wood stairs!
We are in the middle of this very project at our house. New carpet coming on our second floor has snowballed into 47 other projects we need to get done, including ditching the old golden oak railings! I love your style/blog and am dying to know what decision you made on your staircase. Please share! :)
We put in a pot filler when we did our kitchen in ’07, and I have to say, for us, we hardly use it. For me personally, I don’t think it’s worth the extra money to plumb it. I know people who love pot fillers, but I wouldn’t do it again.
I recently discovered your blog and have only read a few posts and looked through your house tour, but one of the things that stands out to me is that your wall art/decor is so sophisticated. I love the pieces you’ve chosen and how you’ve displayed them! Can you point me to some posts about some of the art in your home? LOVE your blog!! (I noticed a comment you’d left on Emily Henderson’s blog, and then when Katie at Bower Power linked to your white concrete countertops post, I thought I had to click over and check out what you’re all about!)
Hahaha. Welcome! Check out this post about the art in our living room. And our Shop Our House page for the sources to everything in our home. :) I should do an art post soon!
Newbie here, can’t type my own name!! Where can I find info on what looks like a stair gate??? Many thanks!
Oh yes! Our DIY babe gate. Check that tutorial out here.
I’m struggling with the “carpet vs. tile on the stairs” question right now, as well. The existing carpet is so stained and dirty and smelly (ew!) so it has GOT to go! Last year I redid my entire downstairs with the gray wood-look tile and I LOVE it! But now I can’t decide what will look best on the stairs that meet the tile at the bottom, and more (stained, dirty, smell, ew!) carpet at the top. I’m leaning towards the tile for a few reasons: easier to clean; matches the downstairs floor so it will flow well; my two lovely cats won’t be tempted to soil the tile like they possibly would the carpet. I really like this look: http://www.trendir.com/archives/2015/08/26/weathered-wood-look-porcelain-tile-staircase-abk.jpg
Although my stairs are not quite so grand!
I’m looking forward to seeing what you decide to do!