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Good Riddance!

ByAnn Drake
I’m beginning a project this week
that I have dreamed about since we bought this house…
and that was 1993.
I’m taking the carpet off my steps.
I’m pretty sure there is real hardwood underneath.
Hopefully it will be a matter of filling in holes, staining and painting.
(Say a prayer for me will you?)
The wallpaper is being replaced with paint.
I think the Sherwin-Williams color Upward.
It’s on the same color strip as the walls in my kitchen.
This is more the scale of my steps.
I am loving the dark stain.

This is actually what I would love to have
at the end of the project.
It’s very similar to my set-up.

Say Buh-Bye…
and here’s hoping I’m still standing at the end!

Have a wonderful week!
You know that snow day I have been whining about?
It’s here…YAY!

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52 Comments

  1. Gypsy Heart says:

    Ann, I know it's going to look gorgeous when you're finished! I wish you the best. After the recent renos here and my knees going out, I am hesitant to start another big project. I do love the dark stain ~ that's my favorite.

    Thanks so much for offering blogging help to all of us. I'm so not a techie person and have been so frustrated lately. I cannot update my blog list, no matter what I try.

    I'm off to read your last post and see what I can learn. :-)

    xo
    Pat

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  2. Sounds like a wonderful plan Ann!! I have always loved a black bannister with white spindles and ballister. Good luck!! Kathysue

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  3. What FUN, Ann … it's going to look absolutely incredible !! I can't wait for the reveal.

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  4. reFresh reStyle says:

    A big project, that you will love in the end! Best of luck to you and I can't wait to see!
    Debbie

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  5. {Adventuresindinner} says:

    So lovely! What a great change.

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  6. Maria Elena says:

    I can't wait to see it! We are planning to do the same thing, only, since we saw the house being built, we know there is not hardwood under our carpet, so we are starting from scratch. It is going to be a hard project for us. Please, share when you finish! I think the dark banister will look gorgeous!

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  7. Lizabeth @ Infuse With Liz says:

    I love the idea of the darker banister. The pictures you've given as examples all look wonderful! I would like to have my flooring re-done and have the stain darkened up on it. I was in a model home some years back and they had the wood floors stained in a black with a satin finish and they were spectacular. I would never have thought of trying black but it was so attractive. I had wallpaper up all over my house some years back and after I removd it I vowed no more! I do like it at times but I don't like removing it and cleaning up the walls afterwards! I hope for your sake that the steps have wood all the way across!

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  8. My girlfriend has darker stain on her banister then her stairs and it looks very pretty. Good luck with the project I can't wait to see it finished you will do a great job.

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  9. Best of luck to you, Ann! I hope the project goes s-m-o-o-t-h-l-y. I would love to do this to my stairs so I'm really looking forward to the transformation. I hope you'll show us some progress shots along the way.

    Reply
  10. ❀❀❀Ðαωᾔ❀❀❀ says:

    You will so enjoy the new look. Wallpaper sometimes just needs a fresh look. I am having trouble with your blog showing up in my reader. It has happened with others also:( So frustrating.

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  11. Tanna at The Brick Street Bungalow says:

    You are absolutely going to love your new look, Ann!! There is a possibility that the stairs are not a stain grade lumber, but they would look beautiful painted dark, too!! Can't wait!! Best of luck for a smooth, satisfying project! blessings ~ tanna

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  12. Sharon @ mrshinesclass says:

    Oh, how exciting! I'm looking forward to watching the process. I love dark stain banisters with white railing! So striking and classic.
    Yea for your snow day!

    Sharon @ mrs. hines class

    Reply
  13. GLENDA CHILDERS says:

    That is a huge project … hope you have some nice help. Wish I could pop over.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  14. Good luck. Don't kill yourself.

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  15. Oooh, how exciting. I love that paint colour – it'll look amazing. And the wood stairs,…woohoo,…it's gonna be great. Love the dark stain as well if you're able to pull that off. Good luck my dear.

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  16. Jo's This and That says:

    Love the dark stain too.That is a big project,hope you get help.But it will be great when it is done.I love all you do! Thanks for sharing Joann Stop in and visit me .I lost my old blog head to start over Joann

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  17. I have carpet on my stairs, and I absolutely despise it! I can see why you are anxious to get rid of your carpeted stairs…isn't vacuuming them a pain?! Anyway, I think your plan for a makeover is going to look fantastic!

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  18. You actually got a snow day? Good for you, Ann! I hope with everything in me that everything goes as you have planned, it will be beautiful. I like both examples of stairways, the dark with the lighter floors and the dark banister as well as dark floors. It's all very pretty.
    Hugs, Cindy

    Reply
  19. ~Tablescapes By Diane~ says:

    Hi lovely lady.
    Wow, this is going to be a great change! I need to replace my carpet also. Keep us posted with the progress. I hope you have wonderful week with your family. It been a long time hope you can come see me some time.
    XXOO Diane

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  20. I'm so excited for you to begin this project! (This is also on our to-do list.) I can't wait to see how it turns out. Hope you enjoyed your snow day…finally!

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  21. Rooms by Ann says:

    More power to you, That's exactly what I want to do. I am sure it's going to turn out fabulous. Happy to be your newest follower.

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  22. LISA'S LOVIN' IT says:

    Take a peek to be sure the whole tread is finishable wood. But what fun :)

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  23. At The Picket Fence says:

    It is going to look sooo awesome Ann! We want to rip up the carpet on our stairs too but I know there isn't hardwood underneath. Lucky you! :-) Best of luck and I can't wait to follow along in the process.
    Vanessa

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  24. I think that is going to turn out so pretty! I like a dark color on the stair banister myself. Mine is painted because I didn't want to strip and re-stain. My stairs have carpet that needs to be replaced. We're not going to remove the carpet altogether though because of how slippery it will be and the noise factor. If you don't have little ones living at home, you should be fine! Just be careful wearing socks on those steps though. I can't wait to see it when it's all done. I know it's going to look great!

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  25. Formerly known as Frau says:

    Can't wait to see how it turns out! We are thinking of putting carpet on our hardwood floor stairway…it's slippery and gets dusty.

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  26. Grammy Goodwill says:

    Glad you got your snow day. I hope you've been able to get a lot done. Are you stripping the wallpaper yourself? That's what I've been working on for weeks. ugh I can't wait to see the finished look.

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  27. Leigh Powell Hines (Hines-Sight Blog) says:

    I like the dark stain.

    Enjoy your snow day.

    Reply

  28. Change is good they say. I'm all for hardwood floors and stairs.
    can't wait to see the finish.

    Reply
  29. Pamela Gordon says:

    Wow Ann! That's going to be quite a project and I think it will be gorgeous. Can't wait to see it. I have the same dream – after the dog passes, which won't be anytime soon! lol Good luck! ~ Pamela

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  30. Robin @ Happily Home, After says:

    Very classy choices! I love the dark stair treads but I sure do hope you have some help with this, it sure sounds like an ambitious process. Dream big to get great results though. Looking forward to the reveal {as I'm sure you are!!!}.

    Robin
    happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com

    Reply
  31. Tammy@Beatrice Banks says:

    It's going to look beautiful Ann! Great ideas! You know I painted my banisters black and it was the best thing we've done. Looks so different. The darker stain is really going to make a great contrast with the white. Can't wait to see the reveal! Good luck!

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  32. You go Ann… I can't wait to see it.I know it will be fabulous! Prayers uttered & blessings sent!

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  33. Have a great snow day and hope you get alot done! :) I love your inspiration pics. I have a dark stained banister and white spindles on our steps. I love it!

    Take care!

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  34. Richard Cottrell says:

    I am so glad you are doing this, you will love them so much better when the carpet is gone. Happy day. Richard from My Old Historic House.

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  35. Ann this is going to be such a fabulous transformation! I cannot wait to see the results; very inspiring!

    Xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  36. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says:

    OMG, you are undertaking a huge project, but you will love the results when you finish. I like the idea of a darker stain, too. I know it will look fabulous!

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  37. I love your inspiration pics! You will love your stairs without the carpeting :o) I will warn you though, it is a LOT of work and you will wonder about half way thru if you will ever stand upright again!!!! LOL
    ~Des

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  38. Ginger Zuck says:

    WOW, good for you. It will look beautiful! Cannot wait to see end results, it will be worth it.

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  39. it will look beautiful!
    Glad you got the snow I sent, I still have lots, want some more!

    Reply
  40. Katie @ Wildwood Creek says:

    Oh, this is going to be a great change! Keep us posted with the progress.

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  41. The darker suits you and your design sense better. I cannot believe how perfect that carpet looks!! Did anyone live upstairs?? Musta gone barefoot for years in the house!!! LOL

    Looking forward to seeing what transpires…

    Reply
  42. luci wallis says:

    So funny I have arrived at this post and just commented on another how I am inches away from ripping the carpet off my steps. And it will be a domino effect, but I can't stop thinking about it!
    Bristol

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  43. Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes says:

    I have complete faith in your ability to finish this daunting task, Ann. You have proven over and over your talent to do most anything so go for it. I like a darker stain, too. Wish ours was darker but I'm not as brave you. Good luck and don't work too hard.—— Shannon

    Reply
  44. Suburban Princess says:

    The darker banister looks so rich…like it has been around a long time and has a story to tell. Can't wait to see how your stairs look!

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  45. At The Picket Fence says:

    I pulled up my carpet a few months ago and have been working on them between projects. Let me just tell you how much I already LOVE them and they aren't even finished. I will never have carpet on stairs again. Can't wait to see what you do, I know it will be GORGEOUS!

    Heather

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  46. Coastal Cottage Dreams says:

    Ann:

    You will love the look once the carpet is removed. I did this before in on of my homes, and boy what a difference it made to see the natural wood.

    Can't wait to see the finished look.

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  47. Debra @ Common Ground says:

    This will be gorgeous, Ann. You'll feel like you're in a new house!!

    Reply

  48. This is going to look wonderful! I like the dark stain and dark steps. Will you do that too?

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  49. anangloinquebec says:

    Oh Anne it will look stunning. I envy you with that gorgeous railing! You have such lovely taste I am looking forward to seeing the result. It may just tempt me to do something with our terrible staircase! You go girl!

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  50. NanaDiana says:

    Good luck, Ann! That is quite a project you are taking on but just think how nice it will be when it is all done! It is going to be beautiful! xo Diana

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  51. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says:

    LOVE the dark stain Ann and your stairs are going to look fabulous without the rug! I know we all need a change but I still love your wallpaper.

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  52. Rustown Mom says:

    I know what you mean about 'still standing". I often have the drive, just not the strength! Power thru it and take your time – can't wait to see it!

    Reply