Ayisha’s Entry Staircase Remodel

Hello I’m Ayisha and my husband and I bought our fixer upper colonial two years ago.  Our entry and staircase were a hot mess and I wasted no time taking it apart and putting it back together again. I was inspired by the Staircase in Sandra’s Illinois house.

My foyer is nowhere near as grand and beautiful as hers but I still felt that I could do a mini beginners version in my entry.

Staircase remodel

Things really got moving when I discovered hardwood underneath the carpeted stairs.  I wasted no time ripping it up and refinishing them in a dark stain.

 I painted the walls in three different shades of gray and added light gray stripes.  I built two newel posts by using a combination of Sandra’s Newel Post Tutorial and another that I found on Pinterest.

The post attached to the wall is a facade. I did not want to have to replace the bottom tread on the stairs. I also did not know how to secure a new newel post so the newel post at the bottom of the staircase is a sleeve made to fit over the existing newel post.

Staircase remodel Staircase remodel Staircase remodel

During this project, I learned how to do several things.

  • I used a table saw for the first time.
  • I learned how to refinish hardwood stairs.
  • I built a newel post from MDF.
  • I built custom balusters from 2×2 pine.
  • I used a jigsaw successfully for the first time.
  • I salvaged, stripped and stained a banister

and then after almost 4 months of working on this project every other evening after work, I gave myself a pat on the back.

My husband is amazed at how it all turned out and I’m still pinching myself everytime I look at my foyer.

Staircase remodel

I’m dying to do the floors but that project is part of a very big project so for now I have to live

with the linoleum.

If you would like to see the entire process of remodeling this staircase then please join me over at my blog  The Pursuit of Handyness for more details.

Staircase remodel

Sandra here:  Uhmmmmm…my jaw just dropped and my mouth is hanging open!  Ayisha knocked it out of the park and this is her first build?  That wainscoting is AMAZING!  I don’t know about you but I’m heading over to The Pursuit of Handyness right now to see what other amazing projects she has up her sleeve.  Great job Ayisha!

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