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!
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:
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
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.
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!
I am so glad! GOOD LUCK! You can totally do it!
Cassity
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.!!!!
Here is the post, good luck! :http://www.remodelaholic.com/2010/03/head-of-the-board-headboard-tutorial/
i have been wanting to do this EXACT project at our house but couldn't find pictures to show my handyman until i found your blog! our stairs are almost identical to what yours were before you made them over. i just linked to your blog from mine: http://patrickandmer.blogspot.com/2012/04/take-good-look.html
yea! Good luck! If you do it please send me a link!
Cass
Wow, this looks amazing!! We bought an older home with stairs the former owner do-it-yourselfer installed and I wondered how in the world to match the walls going up as their wood along both walls doesn't match and is odd looking, one side thick to the top the other side thin half way up(???!!!) So with your ideas I now know what to do!! My friend already talked me into buying wood risers(they are just plywood)... So now to show hubby photos of your project with the trim on top (and his handy skills) I will have a pretty staircase too!! Thanks for sharing!!! My ugly stairs will soon be transformed too, yay