Thursday, September 27, 2012

♥ A Staircase Update ♥

We have progress on the staircase………slow progress, but progress nevertheless!

My carpenter (aka Jason) is a perfectionist and he’s pondered, planned, cut, recut, and redone posts and boards several times. I’m absolutely no help on figuring the measurements and the way things fit. I just know what looks good to me and I hold boards for him. I mean I’m the one that just hangs a picture by “eyeing it” and he finds studs, measures each side, top and bottom. So that tells you how much help I am on figuring out how all the pieces of the staircase fit together.  :)

But, I know when I like it and I like what’s starting to come together. The heighth of the posts will be cut down some from what you see in these pics and will also be sanded down so they aren’t quite as sharp and square, if that makes sense. The spindles will have 2” cut from the bottom so they won’t come that far down at the bottom.


And the thing that really gets me is that all of this that you see up right now is basically only up to make sure it all fits together properly. All of the staircase boards and posts will come down tonight, adjustments will be made to them, and then they will be stained. Then they all go back into place with all the other spindles added. Jason didn’t want to stain it all and risk messing up the finish trying to fit the pieces in, or wasting stain if it didn’t work out. And then there are still walls and doors to be finished as well in the foyer area and trim work to be done around all of it. And then there’s the one wall on the living room side that will have wallpaper removed and be painted red.

Here you can get an idea of how the treads and risers will look.  Jason temporarily put in a pair to show me how they will look together....the stained tread and the red riser.



I'm getting a wider staircase in this makeover too......5" wider actually.  When building our house, they made the stairs narrower than standard size it seems.  I always thought they seemed narrower than they should be.  I'm going to love that extra 5"!  



Yep, progress is slow but it IS getting there. I think there is a standing rule, or if there isn’t one established, there should be……..However long you think it will take to complete a home improvement project, plan on it probably taking twice that long. Now I will be happy if it’s all done by the end of October in time for Christmas decorating the first week of November.

Bless their hearts, my piano students are used to my house being a construction zone by now. I think they’re never surprised by what we have torn out and are working on!  :)

But, it will be worth it in the end. At least that what I keep telling myself!

***************************************************************

I enjoyed your comments yesterday. I’ve decided that if I’m a home stalker, ya’ll are too! Lol! And it really never occurred to me to drive around and look at homes at night so I could see inside the windows. I mean you ladies are serious about this!  But hey, I’ll have to try that!  I’ll say that you all made me feel much better.  I now know I'm not alone!  :)   And I’d LOVE to see homes in your area that you find charming! One more thing….Tammy of A Primitive Place said something that I didn’t even notice – all of the homes I showed had porches. I didn’t even consciously notice that when we got those pictures – guess I’m just naturally drawn to porches being a southern girl and all.

  Thanks for stopping by and have a great Thursday!  :)

16 comments:

Paula said...

Ooooh~ the staircase is coming along, Tammy! I can't wait to see it when it's done!
And I can't believe there are that many other house stalkers out there! *haha*

Joy ~ Doodlebug ~ said...

Mama,

I love porches, and you know that. :) House stalkers...unite! :P Lol.

Love you! 8!

Love,
Joy :)

Unknown said...

Hi Tammy, I missed this post, but wishing you well on this project.I'll follow your progress. Tammy, will you visit us today to pay respects to a Sister blogger? Her family would appreciate it. The post will explain. Thanks!
Hugs,
Loretta

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

That staircase will be beautiful when its all finished!!

Sandra said...

Love the staircase, that red really pops and looks stunning :)

I didn't yesterday's post, but I'm a house stalker, or more of a window at night stalker LOL

I love talking walks later in the day with the family, and if I walk by a house with windows open, I always have to look inside, I love seeing how other homes are LOL

Anonymous said...

Morning Tammy!
This makeover is going to be GORGEOUS. I can totally envision how it will all come together and I adore the stair riser painted red. This is going to be sooo cozy and inviting especially at Christmas.

You don't get Jason's perfection in most newer homes! You are a lucky gal!!!

Have a fun day - Jeannette

Holly said...

Love the staircase. Can't wait to see it finished. It is going to be beautiful!

cucki said...

wow the stair case are looking nice..
i love porches too :)
love and hugs for you xxx

Anonymous said...

Great job on the staircare; it's going to be wonderful.

Leslie said...

Looking good! Stairs are not easy.

Primitive Stars said...

Hi Tammy, will look wonderful when all finished, wider steps always is a good thing. Blessings Francine.

Zaroga said...

Look'n good!

Frank's process is much the same as your hubby's.

I haven't felt well this week... so not look'n good for joining you Monday.


Lois Christensen said...

Your staircase is looking so pretty...well I know it will look pretty when it's all done! I love the combination of the red riser with the stained step! Very nice idea! And I love to drive by homes at night and "peek" in their windows! Enjoy!

arkie said...

How exciting! It's going to be so pretty!

Blessed Beyond said...

Love it!!!

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