Our stairs

8 years ago

Our home is a square box from the outside and I have traditional touches inside. These are pictures of my front foyer and I would like to redo the stairs. This set goes up and down and I find there is just too much wood. I would love some suggestions on what to do with them.

Featured Answer

zepled

8 years ago

In my opinion, your stairs are stunning and timeless! Iron spindles are trendy and remind me of an era gone by. The look will be out the door in another 15 years whereas what you have will remain classic; it will always be lovely. If you really dislike that gorgeous wood look, painting it white would make a dramatic impact.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (24)

lkw524
8 years ago
Leave the stairs and change the spindles to iron. This cuts down on the heavier wood look, opens things up to feel lighter.
Amelia
8 years ago
Would glass instead of spindles be too modern for you? It would open up the whole space.
Related Discussions
back of staircase coming up into our sunroom
Q
Comments (3)
I don't think the box is so bad. You can put some stools around it for some extra seating. Would you put the bookshelf on top of it?
...See More
Stairs makeover
Q
Comments (5)
Anyway I look at it, this is going to be something creative when finished. There aren't much combinations that you could use with this green, but white oak is a solution for the spindles. Another solution would be to go with white (this means that you'll need to paint the spindles), but you'll need to give the board, newel post, and handrail a walnut or mahogany colour. You can find some pictures for inspiration here: http://georgequinn.co.uk/product/achill-spindle/, but keep in mind that when it comes to colours, it first needs to suit YOUR taste.
...See More
Require stair security for Child
Q
Comments (0)
Please can you supply some ideas for what would be sutable for covering gaps on stairs as we have a 2 year old Child and have just rented a property. We are concerned that our child could fall though the spaces at the top and side of the stairs, We also require a proper stair gate at the top and bottom of the stairs to prevent our child climbling up the stairs. If you could please help provide some ideas and what would be best. I have attached soem pictures of teb stairs so you can see the hazards for a young child.
...See More
Stairs Child Safety
Q
Comments (7)
I cant remember back if 2 year olds can climb, but if they can you might need a smooth finish so they have nothing to grip and climb,I would also suggest a sign making company they do a thing product called acrylic or corrugated ,this cut to size would also do they would need to drill holes in the acrylic for you possibly
...See More
elaineglass
Original Author
8 years ago
I like both ideas, can he steps be left and new railings added or does the whole structure need to come out? I like the iron look of this picture,
lamaisonbleu
8 years ago
I LOVE what you have! I'd finish other projects first and see if you don't fall in love with it... perhaps?
Dana Jimenez
8 years ago
How about painting your staircase the same white that your moulding around the front doors are painted? I see some of your baseboards are also painted white. Painting all the wood trim and staircase the same color white would tie everything together.
bettyandjudy
8 years ago
Leave the stairs alone or if you must change the rail to a simple iron. I think painting the railings, etc. white will make the stairs stand out. The current color seems to melt into the outside. Get rid of the horrible rug in the front entrance that looks like a wood design. I wonder if you are overwhelmed with the darkness of the walls rather than the stairs. I like the color myself.
PRO
Pat Gericke & Associates, LLC
8 years ago
Im not sure of your orientation - when you come into the house, are the stairs directly in front of you - as I don't see your rug in the pictures with the stairs. If so, you have crammed a chair in the corner and a cabinet to the other side right on top of the entry wall. I would suggest getting rid of them - get yourself a good size round table (will cut down the squareness of the foyer). and set it in the middle of the space. Make a beautiful arrangement with flowers, perhaps large lanterns, etc. On the walls flacking the entry door, use large pieces of art in bright colors. Leave the stairs alone!
lindac107
8 years ago
You could be sensing the mis-match between your traditional decor and the modern stairs -- they appear to be an oak-type of wood. I thought maybe darken the finish of the wood, but that probably would not help any because the style would remain intact and make the area too dark. I hate to suggest that you re-think your design style, but those stairs suggest a more modern type of style. Perhaps as others have suggested, a lighter wall and some large bright pictures on the wall. I would not remove the chair and dresser, at least not yet. Also, you might want to take a look at the frames your existing art is in and consider using darker frames -- maybe black painted ones, for example.
Christine Amey
8 years ago
Cable wire, and paint the steps gun metal color but I do like the wood! But for a more modern look the cable would do it!
lindac107
8 years ago
P.S. I forgot to mention that you should probably try to harmonize the color of the paint to the color of the wood your stairs are. You could stain your stairs to a more complimentary color or repaint. And also, upon looking at your entry-way, think if you were to re-frame your pictures, you might want to try a brown wood, not a black frame.
gingernut65
8 years ago
Absolutely love your foyer, it is beautiful, maybe the idea given already for iron work instead of your spindles, and add modern colours to the walls. Also, try not to take the visual affect of the actual staircase away. Good luck, hope it all works out.
Lynn G
8 years ago
I think what you have goes with what you have. If you paint the wood you will need to keep painting the wood. Stick to the low maintenance you have. It's really rather nice geometry of verticals and horizontals...
Kathy
8 years ago
I would embrace them! However, you might consider plexi-glass only in the railings not on stairs in all but the upper level areas. Seems that it would enhance the view out the windows.
lislegirl61
8 years ago
I think a brighter color on the walls will make you love your space. You have wonderful light and the plants certainly love it. The stairs are a part of the design as the light shines through the stairs. If you can't do a lighter color on the walls, try staining the wood but remember not to go so dark as the tile will then be the focus which is also on the lighter side.
hotzim
8 years ago
what about going parallel to the railings with wire instead of vertical with so many spindles? Its a very modern look.
Sheeba Queen
8 years ago
I think a horizontal iron or even a horizontal thick wire type would look great. Just make it horizontal whatever you do.
Sheeba Queen
8 years ago
Oh, I would change out that glass block too
Tania Wolf
8 years ago
You can remodel the railing without touching the stairs ...here's what we've done with our staircase .
Round metal spindles screwed directly onto the stairs for a lighter look , modern mix of wood and metal with led light on the sides of the stairs
suezbell
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
My preference is to leave the wood looking like wood and focus on painting the walls; however, if you really need a change, before ripping out the spindles and/or rails, at least try painting the rails and all trim the same color first, leaving the steps themselves and the floor of the landing that is wood the same wood as is, then paint all your walls in the foyer and stairwell a single color more to your liking. You could always change the railing to iron or glass later.
zepled
8 years ago
The stair case in the above pictures are nice, but the stairs in question are just beautiful. I agree with suezbell. Paint the walls BM Edgecomb Gray or something neutral and see how you like them. I think the color of the walls are more the issue than the stairs and certainly a less expensive fix. I LOVE YOUR STAIRS :)
elaineglass
Original Author
8 years ago
I recently painted the walls and like the dark color. I agree that the area rug needs to go and I am looking for one. We have cold snowy winters and will not put a light color rug down. Also, to the right of the front door is an office and to the left is my dining room. Yes the art work needs to be reframed.
PRO
Ferris Zoe Design
8 years ago
this is a job for a pro for sure, but just looking at photographs does not give one enough information. my suggestion is to visit or call several designers in your vicinity and get a sense of each person's expertise. after that, ask for a consultation with the one(s) you feel comfortable with.
bethpek
8 years ago
Your house seems a bit confused about what it wants to be. It has contemporary doors, windows and stairs paired with traditional door trim and fluted columns. Maybe the solution needs to be a combination of the two? The builder decided to have the stairs float and did not tie them to the walls, therefore requiring all that extra wood. Replace that with glass or something more minimal that would fade into the wall. Or a more major change - disconnect and slide to stairs next to the walls. Then use something more to your tastes - like the organic wrought iron you picked - to replace the inner stair railings and bridge railing. It would certainly give your entry some wow.

Our stairs

zepled

Comments (24)

lkw524

Amelia

Related Discussions

elaineglass
Original Author

lamaisonbleu

Dana Jimenez

bettyandjudy

Pat Gericke & Associates, LLC

lindac107

Christine Amey

lindac107

gingernut65

Lynn G

Kathy

lislegirl61

hotzim

Sheeba Queen

Sheeba Queen

Tania Wolf

suezbell

zepled

elaineglass
Original Author

Ferris Zoe Design

bethpek

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

Our stairs

Comments (24)

Related Discussions

elaineglassOriginal Author

elaineglassOriginal Author

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

elaineglass
Original Author

elaineglass
Original Author