We don’t have stairs in our house. Which we love. But sometimes it’s a bummer when we see people do fun things with them like Roeshel recently did. And the most impressive part is that she did it without buying anything. You go, girl! Wait, forget I said that… just read her email:
I’m sure you guys get a ton of submissions for consideration but I recently gave our stairway a little pizzazz using leftover paint and things we already had on hand. It turned out fun! So I’ve included before and after pictures in the event that you like my crazy little makeover. Before was boring.
I cut out a diamond shaped stencil from posterboard and using a pencil, I lightly traced the pattern on the wall. I taped off the pattern with Frog tape. Cutting tape at an angle made for easier taping in the corners of the diamond. I did two coats and peeled off the tape immediately after the second coat, while the paint was still wet. You can touch up the paint as needed (I’m not a perfectionist, so I didn’t bother but I doubt you’ll see anything noticeable in the after pictures).
The original wall color is Benjamin Moore’s Smokey Taupe. The new top color is Glidden’s Linen.
I’m thinking of adding more stencils/pattern/design to the accent wall {thinking. thinking.} but for now it’s a big improvement and so much fun compared to the boring before. At least I think so. Maybe a little crazy – but doesn’t it look so much better? – Roeshel
We wholeheartedly agree that it looks awesome. And we love that it was F-R-double-E. It’s so much fun when “forgotten” spaces get a little love. Oh, and you can see more about the whole process here on Roeshel’s blog. Did you notice all of the other little things she updated? Like painting the table yellow, hanging an old window, and framing a faux deer that Sherry probably wants to marry? What’s your favorite part?
Psst- We announced this week’s giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.
I have serious respect for people who can do patterns on a wall. I think I would be twitching and half insane about an hour into it. It looks lovely though! Good job!!
I love the stencil she did! It’s really fun and classy, without being too busy!
@ The Mrs. – I totally agree with you!
I want the owl!
i have yet to figure out how to paint the way-high-up-walls of a stair. anyone? anyone? we need to do this in our home, but i haven’t a clue how to accomplish it without getting paint everywhere (or falling down the steps and breaking something).
Oh man, we don’t have stairs. Haha. Anyone have advice for Adria?
xo,
s
You might need some form of scaffolding. Maybe you could rent some?
I hired someone! To me, it was worth the money and lack of aggravation!
@ Adria We just did this and quite frankly it was the bane of our existence! We used an extender pole with an adjustable brush holder meant to do those jobs. It requires a steady hand but it can get the job done with some patience. We also used an edger gadget that just has these little furry hairs for lack of a better term (not a brush/roller) and it did a horrible job. So I definitely wouldn’t recommend that even if the guy at the home store does. I hope that helps a bit!
My fiancé and I recently painted the entryway to our split level house. For the extra high ceilings by the front door, we set up our adjustable ladder in the landing, and used an extension pole. To get the edges, I used one of those edging pads that 3M sells attached to the pole. While I would never use one in a regular height room, I wasn’t that particular about getting a perfect edge in a spot that literally no one will be able to see. My arms can tell you it was not a fun experience, but worth getting rid of the heinous paint color the previous owners had. I would recommend using a paint/primer in one so you only have to do it once.
They make ladders that let you adjust one side- so you can paint on stairs without killing yourself. Not sure how much they are, but would definitely make the process much easier.
Magic and a prayer. Actually, we have one of those ladders that are adjustable to be used on stairs. We set that up and I climbed on top while my husband spotted me and I used a roller attached to a wooden pole (they sell them in the paint department at home depot). We took the roller off and ghetto strapped a paint brush (with hair ties no less) to the pole and used that to do the trim. It worked surprisingly well but was kind of scary while we were doing it. I’m sure there is some official way to paint that area, but that worked for us.
I think we’re leaning towards paying someone, but it kills me to have to do that! Thanks for the tips :)
Little Giant Ladder!!! I’ve borrowed it and love it!
It’s kind of pricey ($199-$300), so maybe try borrowing one or check to see if it is available to rent from a tool rental store: http://www.littlegiantladder.com/little-giant/ultra-step-ladder.html
There are good pictures of it in use at the bottom of
http://www.ladderdepot.com/
:)
We also paid someone, as renting a ladder (those adjustable extending ones are expensive!), and a risk of falling was not worth it. Just for a point of reference, it was only $120, including all paint and materials, for a guy to come out and do it in 3 hours. Well worth it!
LOVE this.. the walls are amazing. That took some patience! Thanks for sharing
Debra
I have seen this at her blog…she rocked it!! So glad you showed it off!
That faux deer looks like the dog Max from the Grinch. I’m in love!
Isn’t he great? Lots of personality in that guy.
xo,
s
Looks like a jackelope, not a deer! Love it!
It’s true! Love him even more now.
xo,
s
Awesome! Every touch brings so much life to that generally neglected space -thanks for sharing. Off to check out the rest of the house!
Wow, that is just an amazing makeover. Thanks for sharing. I love how creative people are, it’s very inspiring. :D
Nice! I really like the stenciled wall and animal escaping from the wall.
“framing a faux deer that Sherry probably wants to marry?”
But he’s not white and ceramic, so that probably lessens his appeal a little, right? ;-)
In other news, this redo is awesome and I bow down to anyone with patience enough to do a stencil!
Oddly enough he looks cuddly so I’m down. Haha.
xo,
s
So great and fresh!! Love the stencil and the fun yellow table!
I might be the only one but there’s an old navy ad in the top right side that is messing the page up for me. It’s jumping out into the page and I can’t make it go away. Argh.
Oh man, so sorry! We don’t allow roll out ads or pop ups! Thanks for the heads up- we’ll try to disable it!
xo,
s
love it! makes you really want to go up the stairs to see what’s up there!
Did an awesome job with the stencil. Love the pop of yellow.
I love that deer head! And the light fixture change up.
I tell you I have a lot of respect for people who can stencil…..I tried to do one on my daughter’s bedroom wall and gave up and painted the whole room pepto bismal pink instead. Looking for the perfect gray to update it now though.
This makes me want to revamp my stairs. It looks great!
This is beautiful! I love the way stencils look on walls. It makes me wish we owned a house so I could stencil again (although I know as soon as I start, I’ll regret it).
I LOVE DIY showoff I follow her too!
Love the stencil!! What a great job!
For the poster who asked about painting on stairs, we built a little platform using plywood and some 2 x 4s that spanned several steps so that our ladder would have a level surface to rest on to paint our stairwell. It worked great.
I LOVE the redo! Very classic. And I LOVE the yellow table!
Random Question… is it almost time for another Pinterest Challenge? :)
Yes! We already did a winter edition so we’re waiting until it feels spring-ish enough to do our spring one! Can’t wait!
xo,
s
Gorgeous! I made need to find something around here to stencil soon…. :)
LOVE the redo! Can’t tell whether I’m more inspired by the creative paint/diamond design or the old window (where on earth did you even pick one up?!) / framed moose.
That stencil is gorgeous! And I love that it was free!
It’s so cute! Two things I love about it: the baseboard and the fun yellow table.
I love it! Especially the little owl!
Love the yellow table and the OWL!!!
love the clock, and the new light fixture is fun.
I kind of did this! Check it out here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37558787@N07/sets/72157629348528553/
I didn’t really do it though – I paid someone to! The space between the harlequin wall and the wall behind the couch is 38.5″, very trecherous to lean over. Doing anything on that wall requires cajones of steel and a scaffold. I don’t have either of those things!
The wall is super high and angled which made hanging art and having it look good nearly impossible. A friend suggested turning the wall into art instead!
So pretty! Love it!
xo,
s
OMG this is fantastic. I love how the small space went from “so so” to BAM! LOOK AT ME! Great job.
Oh, I am SO bummed! I loved that felt deer head so much I went to go buy him. I had it in my shopping cart and the last one was bought out from under me while I was filling out my credit card info! He’s no longer available. :c
So, so, so sad about that. But seriously, this is such a great make-over! The pattern looks great.
Oh man- here’s hoping he comes back into stock soon!
xo,
s
I bought that very same deer head for my Dad for Xmas. Its fabulous.
i LOVE this. its such a simple pattern but adds so much interest- awesome job, and great color choice! (and the owl on the table stole my heart instantly. i think $herdog has rubbed off on me.)
I love the stenciled wall, but I’m caught coveting that adorable little owl!
So excited to be featured today! Thanks, John & Sherry! And thanks to everyone for their sweet comments! :)
This stairway isn’t high but our basement one is. We have a ladder that fits onto the stairs and like the others mentioned, I add a pole to my roller and an edger when needed. Just tackled that a few months ago. No matter what – it’s challenging and scary balancing a brush and paint that high up!
i just spotted a photo of john in the “what i actually do” meme for stay-at-home dads
http://twistedsifter.sifter.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/stay-at-home-dad-what-my-friends-think-i-do-what-i-actually-do.jpg
Isn’t that hilarious! It had us giggling for hours.
xo,
s
is that light fixture a collander!? i read through ALL the comments and didn’t see this question but am DYING to know!
xoxo
johnna
I think it’s one of those industrial ones that sort of look like one!
xo,
s
That yellow table looks a hundred times better, and I like the new light fixture! Also, I’m a sucker for forsythia. :)
Cute – I love that all Roeshel needed was a fresh idea and some leftovers. Great job!
Makes me want to rummage through my paint stash and do something cray-cray!
I love gray & yellow! So gorgeous!
I find the felted deer bust the best piece! What a great idea versus a stuffed one :) The wall is great too – especially since that usually takes the longest amount of time and most patience – Roeshel, you did great! As John says, “you go girl!” (and no, I won’t forget you said that ;)
Awesome makeover! I love the rug too :)
Awesome job! I love pattern walls!
I love love love the stenciled walls. I gotta get my butt in gear and try that somewhere in our house. I love how you framed the deer and the pop of yellow on accent table completes the space. Nicely done :)
This is makes a huge difference! Love the yellow table in the corner and the deer head in the frame, too! GREAT JOB!
Nancy
http://www.powellbrower.com/2012/02/curtain-call.html
That’s beautiful! I’m loving the walls!
Love this! What a nice way to dress up the landing.