Stairway Design (She's Buying A Stairway To Heaven)

Stairway design DIY projects…

Stairs design. Or staircase remodels/makeovers. Ever had to deal with one? We sure have…

“And she’s buying a stairway to heaven.” Preach it Reverend Plant. He must know. He must be one of us remodel-aholics, because, I’ve bought a few stairways, and when you see the price tag attached, it’s close to a religious experience.

Like OLD testament religious…where people stoned people if they thought their quote for a new staircase was too much.

But I’m a pacifist, by nature. Turn the other cheek, do unto others, the whole “golden rule” bit. So, I haven’t stoned anyone when I got quotes for stairway work. Instead, I’ve taken out the ol checkbook, and I’ve spent some serious coin over the years on stair projects.

Take our first single family home. There was a stairway to the basement that looked like this…and we’ll call this:

Insanely Expensive Stairs Design #1

staircase makeovers from www.heatherednest.com

It wasn’t to code for X,Y & Z reason, so we decided it was a good idea to spend a gazillion dollars and replace the ENTIRE staircase…

It ended up looking like this…

Well, you can kinda-sorta get the idea. I never got a whole picture of the stair…don’t ask me why. I guess I was busy with an infant and probably never thought I’d be writing about our insanely expensive staircase someday.

Very Pricey Stairs Design #2

We moved on. Another house, another sad staircase. This one had ok bones. It was just covered in old, smurfy-colored carpeting. Another poor pic, but, I wasn’t really feeling this sucker was too deserving of a glamour shot, if you know what I mean.

So, we paid the man again. But THIS time, had them salvage the stringer and risers, and just bought new oak treads and railing. Less coin, but still lots of $$ to devote to stairs, in my opinion.

Here it is “in process” as I painted risers.

I decided to stain and paint that handrail myself to save some dinero. Glad we did. It wasn’t that hard. (Sorry for the bad pics…this was back before I even knew that I had to attempt to hold a camera still to get a decent shot).

After we finally paid off this staircase, guess what?

We moved AGAIN. And although the staircases keep getting bigger, they don’t get any prettier as we “upgrade” our homes. Here’s the main staircase in the next place…

Much More Modestly Priced Stairs Design #3

staircase makeovers from www.heatherednest.com - this is the before shot but the "after" is an amazing stairway and foyer design!

The BAD news is that although our staircases keep growing, our stairs design budget keeps shrinking.

SO, this one got ONLY cosmetic work…new stain on the treads/handrails, and paint on the risers and spindles.

Dark wood, white trim, bubble chandelier foyer makeover at heatherednest.com. love all her various attempts at stairway design!

The GOOD news is that, in my opinion, we were able to make a pretty big impact on a next-to-nothing budget! (Wanna know about that chandelier?…head to THIS post.)

stairway designs - another one of her many staircase makeovers from www.heatherednest.com

And FINALLY, we got down to our LAST stairway makeover (until we move again). Here was the stairwell, BEFORE.

DIY painted stairs tutorial - can't wait to see the finished stairway design.

Pretty, huh? I don’t know about you, but I feel like that “smurfy” blue FOLLOWS ME to EVERY house.

Was there a “Creepy” Smurf?

Dirt Cheap Plan for Stairs Design #4

Anyways, THIS time, we are spending as close to ZERO dollars on this project as possible. We’ve decided to paint this beast, and that’s about IT.

I’ve had it with spending hard-earned dollars on stairs.

DIY painted stairs tutorial from www.heatherednest.com. Love this stairway design done on the cheap! The results are amazing.

Even though this makeover will have been done on the cheap, I feel like it’s going to look pretty and polished when all is said and done.

And I LOVE that the evolution of our stair projects has gone from “paying through the nose” to “turning up our nose” at those big budget stair re-do’s and sticking with inexpensive DIY level projects.

As for a stairway leading to “heaven”, that’s not so easy. Right now this one just leads to my kitchen…where kids are screaming for a dinner that I haven’t started to make. BYE!!

**UPDATE** This stair project is now finished! Which style did we go with? And if you want to know HOW TO PAINT STAIRS…head HERE.

Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Sign up now and get a FREE copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!” Click here to enter your email or on the image below. Your copy will be sent right away!

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Comments

marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

October 28, 2014 at 1:26 pm

Oh my you are a genius with stairs and my favorite is that fantastic entry. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.

Emily says

October 10, 2014 at 2:34 am

Wow, you definitely have stair redo's mastered! I can't wait to see how this last one turns out.

- Heather says
  
  October 22, 2014 at 2:49 pm
  
  Thanks Emily! It's ALMOST done!! Can't wait to share it with you guys!!
  
Kristen @ Pursuing Vintage says

October 9, 2014 at 4:56 pm

I love the first one! I love the look of painted stairs, I just don't have the guts to try it!

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And She’s Buying a Stairway to Heaven. Talking Stairs Design.

Insanely Expensive Stairs Design #1

Very Pricey Stairs Design #2

Much More Modestly Priced Stairs Design #3

Dirt Cheap Plan for Stairs Design #4

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Insanely Expensive Stairs Design #1

Very Pricey Stairs Design #2

Much More Modestly Priced Stairs Design #3

Dirt Cheap Plan for Stairs Design #4

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