Stairway Makeover Before and After

Before

After

That's me, using the power sander after taking off the shellac finish with "Citristrip". Getting down to the bare wood on the stair railing and the Newell posts so that I could apply Minwax Gel Stain in Mahogany. This was no picnic! My hands were aching after scraping every inch to get the finish off. Had to do this because the gel stain wouldn't adhere to the builder's finish even after sanding to prep.:(

 Yeah! Here is the new finish after two coats. I ended up doing three to darken the finish.

Close up after last coat of gel stain, and the balusters got a coat of chalk paint /primer, then one coat of Behr Premium PLus Ultra paint and primer in one. The color is Ultra Pure White to match the base molding.

I like the clean white balusters so much better. It really opens up the space.

Had the nautical rope from my son's room makeover. Hurricane is from Anthropologie, and the large rattan vase is from Pier 1 years ago.

New artwork for the niche via Homegoods!

The basket is from Harry and David Christmas gift from Mom, (Thank you Mom!) and the white vase is from Homegoods.

 Cost Breakdown :
Minwax GELStain = $12
Behr Paint (pint)=$9
Purdy Brush=#13.94?


Total = $34.94 pretax


Would love to rip up the carpet and refinish the wood stairs but that project will have to go on the to do list. 


Special thank you to "Centsational Girl" http://www.centsationalgirl.com/for her stair tutorial, and to "Miss Mustard Seed" http://missmustardseed.com/