How We Built Our Custom Newel Posts Tutorial by me
Most recent picture like 2 exactly minutes ago!...still not done but really getting there...

Okay guys, as you know (or I hope you do) we love to amp up the style in our home with architectural elements.  So, when it comes to our stair project the newel posts were a really important feature.  I wanted big and chunky- no skinny "model sized" newel posts for me- give me some meat!

I know I haven't shown you the final... I am still working on finishing caulk and extra coats of paint, but we were asked a while back on how we built our newel posts.  I passed the job on by asking my handy hubby to make a tutorial up for you all!  He broke the project down into 10 simple images to show you the steps he took to accomplished the look that we wanted -simple, yet elegant.  Now this may or may not be the "correct" and "proper" way to build a newel post, but it worked for us and they are super solid and easy to make happen.. so there you go!
Feel free to use our ideas and make a beautiful version of your own, ***all I ask is that you please link back to this tutorial if you blog about it AND I wanna see what you do, so please just be sure to submit them to be featured!  Please let us know how yours turn out.  We would love to share it with everyone.
On to the -uh- quasi tutorial!


Tools I used for this project:

  • Table Saw
  • Miter Saw
  • Circular Saw
  • Orbital Sander
  • Nail Gun
  • Calking Gun
  • Wood Glue

Lessons learned:

  • Don't use pressure treated 4x4's for the core- whoops!  We thought we would save $10 by buying it, but regret using it.  They shrank and twisted.  Justin was able to work around it but it took a lot of thought and patience.   That is one reason that I used the spacers, but mine were all different sizes to make the shell of it all be centered and square.
  • Don't wait too lang to install your new newel posts.  They add so much to the end of the stairs and are great to look at rather than what we looked at for 2 years!

In case you want to follow along, check out these posts too:

the plan

post 1: Starting the project!

post 2 : Demo & Rebuilding

post 3: More Rebuilding

post 4 : Filling the gaps

post 5 : Walnut Stain... at last!

post 6 : Adding the Stair Risers, Finishing the Runners

Post 7 : Custom Built Newel Posts

For more of our tutorials, check out:

Remodelaholic is written by Cassity and Justin. Cassity has a degree in interior design and Justin is a landscape architect, so we adore everything that makes up a HOME! We love to share home remodeling ideas and projects we’re working on. From huge kitchen renovation ideas to small bathroom remodels, there isn’t anything we won’t try to tackle (at least once!). We are in the midst of our third whole home renovation, (check out house 1 and house 2 as well, so there should be a lot more inspiration coming your way. We hope that you will stop by often for home design inspiration, tutorials, interior design tips, delicious recipes and what going on in our family life.

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Remodelaholic is here to help you take your home from builder grade to beautiful! As an interior designer and landscape architect, we adore everything that makes up a HOME! We love to share the projects we’re working on and feature your best home remodeling. . From huge kitchen renovation ideas to small bathroom remodels. We hope that you will stop by often for home design inspiration, tutorials, delicious recipes and what going on in our family life. Please let us know if you are interested in being featured.

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4 Comments

  1. February 8, 2012

    Thanks so much for taking the time to draw up these plans! I have dreams of making over our ugly 1970's staircase, and would love to have newel posts like these. This makes me think that maybe, just maybe I could do it!

    • February 8, 2012

      I am so glad! GOOD LUCK! You can totally do it!

      Cassity

  2. February 17, 2012

    Cassity, I am trying to find your kitchen cabinet headboard tutorial but it's not here. Can you please let me know where I can find that? Thanks so much! You two are so very talented.!!!!

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