Monday, September 26, 2011

Improvision Turns Perfection

Elle Decor
Sometimes things don't go as planned when remodeling.
As you may remember, we had to refinish our hardwoods. I was thrilled with the new stain. What we didn't consider was our staircase. The handrails and risers were of the same stain as the original floors.

Before you go to thinking this looks ok and wonder why we changed it, this was the condition after tenants...

The floor installers told me it was near impossible to change the stain on the risers and handrails.  At first, I panicked.  But then remembered all the wonderful photos I've been seeing of the black painted handrails on Pinterest:




Ok. Ours is not this grand but I love the change. Our improvision turned out perfectly.

The whole redoing and repairing process is slower than I anticipated but it's slowly coming together.  Here's one more look at the new floors. I can't quit staring at them. What a difference it's made to continue the wood into the great room.
I have more dillemmas which I'll be sharing and soliciting opinions.  I'm sure you know that when changing things, one thing calls for another.

28 comments:

michelle said...

It turned out beautiful!! I love the black and white!
xoxo

D.B. said...

I've always loved this look. Looks GREAT!

Andrea said...

We dud this in our last house and it made a tremendous difference in updating it! Yours turned out beautifully!

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

The handrails look awesome! Love that look. Hmmm...I'm thinkin' there's a new project in my future!

Brandi said...

love your floors and handrail! my goodness, what a difference!

Debbiedoos said...

That looks gorgeous. Welcome back. Hope you enjoyed your break.

Heather said...

I always like a touch of black, and your handrails looks great! What a great solution, and the floors do look fantastic!!!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I really have been wanting to paint mine black or very dark brown, but it will take fo evah! Not sure I can tackle it. Yours looks great.

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Looks fab! You have quite an eye for what looks right. Are you going to be traveling up North anytime soon? :0)

Unknown said...

From delimma to devine. The black looks fabulous. Art you painting the railings yourself?
Traci

Julie Harward said...

It sure does...and this looks so beautiful! I love it when some man says something cannot be done and a woman makes it work! LOL

Anonymous said...

The new, modern feel of the handrail looks really nice with the "new" floors. I'm sure the house will be beautiful, though I'm sure you sometimes must wish the reno process was over. At least that was how we felt when we built our house. Have a great week!

Amy Chalmers said...

wow! I just love this!!!!!!!!!!! OK, enuf exclamation points, but I am going to do this. I thought I was going to do a walnut stain or the darkest wood stain. I hate how mine look...but this, my darling, I adore!

Unknown said...

The black and white was an excellent choice! It all looks original!

Pamela Gordon said...

I love it! Great choice.

Jo said...

Great choice ~ love the look!

Jo

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

Wow! It looks stunning! I love it. What a difference it makes.

Karen said...

Great job with painting the railings and risers black. It was the perfect choice to make. I love it!
xo~
Karen

Cindy said...

Your floors and railings look beautiful! How did those people ruin those floors in the short time that they lived there?!
You are making it so beautiful, I'm glad you are able to enjoy it for a while.
Hugs, Cindy

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

I love it!

podso said...

It looks GREAT !! I am trying to make a similar decision and your bannister is very inspiring!

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Oh my gosh Tammy it turned out so beautiful! Definitely the right choice going with the dark stain. I would love to ditch my carpet for hardwood. Such a classic look and the black carries it all through. Well done girl!

Dana Bishop said...

I am looking for courage to paint our white risers black. They are scuffed all the time. Thanks for a shot of confidence. Your staircase looks wonderful.

Dana
www.northwesttexas.blogspot.com

Tara said...

Perfect! It looks just great and really freshens and updates the stairway!

Nita Stacy said...

The stairs look great painted black. What a fantastic solution.

Anonymous said...

I love it, Tammy. We have to redo our stairs too and this is simply gorgeous. Would love white risers but do not want to slave. By what I see here, you painted both the steps and the risers black, correct? What did you use?

Pamela said...

Tammy your new floors look fabulous lady! I know you must be loving them so much. I really like what you did to the staircase. It looks just lovely as well. I keep debating on wether or not to sand ours down and restain um. Painting not an option since we have iron spindles. Hope all is well! Will be in your area next month for a few days. Did I tell you the in laws moved to ATl!? Now we just have mine around the corner from ya.

Karen said...

What a great idea & solution. That looks awesome!