Friday, December 6, 2013

a DIY home project...

You might be wondering what I do in between crafting projects. I love to decorate and since we moved into our new home in May, we've been constantly working on getting settled in and getting things just the way we like. About a month before Thanksgiving, I decided I really wanted to do something with our staircase railing. We have dark kitchen cabinets, and the light wood railing just didn't seem to fit in with the house. Before we bought the house, they did remodel quite a bit...the kitchen, master bathroom, all new paint on the walls. But the railing was forgotten. A new railing would have been around $3,000. Believe me, I could find a lot of other things to spend $3,000 on!

So I investigated having a painter come and do it for us. He wanted $600. Which I was ready to spend. But...after giving it some thought, I decided to paint it myself. It was a LONG, drawn out process, but I am happy with how it turned out!

Many coats of paint later, it went from drab...
to fab...
Much better, right?
I went to Home Depot and told the worker behind the paint counter what I was intending to do. THIS was my inspiration photo, which I shared with him. At first, he looked at me like, "You are going to do that yourself?" And then he was super helpful and walked around with me gathering all of the supplies I would need. 
He told me about THIS product. It was actually cheaper in the store, $35 for the whole shebang! It comes with a bond coat, which they tint for you with the color of your choice. I chose Espresso. Also in that box, it comes with a glaze, which is thin and runny like stain and gives the paint color more richness, you just rub this over the Espresso when it is dry. In the box is also a clear coat finish that seals the Espresso color when you are all done. (Top railing)
To prep the staircase before I started, all I did was lightly sand it with fine sandpaper. Wiped it clean and then primed it with a really good primer from Home Depot called Zinsser. Awesome product. I didn't even use half of a gallon. On the spindles, I just used white paint that was used on our trim to match over the top of the primer. Two coats of the trim paint on the spindles. All in all, the project took me about a week and lots of effort, but I really love how it turned out!

We put our tree up, but haven't gotten it decorated yet. Hopefully tonight. I just love this time of year, don't you! Snuggling and watching the snow fall.

Looks like it might be a white Christmas!

27 comments:

Toni said...

You did a great job-- looks fantastic!

Toni said...

Looks fantastic--you did a great job!

June K said...

Danielle, your staircase looks so pretty. You certainly did a good job. Thanks for sharing all the info in case I ever get the urge to do anything like this. Your living room and tree look so inviting.

Emily Pitts said...

This looks FABULOUS Dani, I want to do it to mine now :)

Unknown said...

Wow, what an amazing transformation. Great job!

Kathy Mc said...

WOW, I'm impressed! Good to know there is such a product out there to create such beautiful results. Love the view out your window of the fresh snowfall, but glad it's there and not here!

Leigh Penner said...

Oh, your railing looks fabulous, Danielle! Great job! I'm so impressed that you did it yourself! And I'm totally jealous of your high ceilings -- your tree looks wonderful in front of the window like that! What a beautiful home you have!

Debra said...

You did a fantastic job and excellent choice of color. What a great transformation for your house! Nice also to hear what you're up to other than stamping. Your house is beautiful!

Holly Saveur said...

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE it!!
So gorgeous..super great job!

Marie Maurrasse said...

Big difference. I like it.

Lissa said...

OMG first of all - it looks amazing!! I love love love it. Second - I think we have the same builder! I live in Castle Rock and my wall color and trim and original stair looks just like yours. My question is, what color white/brand did you use for the trim/spindles, if you don't mind sharing? I have some paint jobs to do around the house (adding the staircase to my list!) but I need the trim paint as well. I didn't know if it was just white-white or if there was a special color. Anyway, if you have a recommendation for the white paint, I would appreciate it! Thank you - LOVE your project. :)

Jill Norwood said...

It looks gorgeous Danielle! Great job! I can imagine how long all those spindles took!! Love your tree too! And your home is beautiful, full of light!

Jennifer K said...

A labor of love! It turned out fabulous. Those types of projects seem so daunting at first but then you feel so proud and accomplished when they are all done.

Conniecrafter said...

Wow that is just gorgeous, what a difference it made to the space, and boy did you save a lot of money, Beautiful home too!

Nancy said...

Awesome job Danielle! Some friends of ours used that same kit but in a different color to do their kitchen cabinets. Beautiful transformations on both projects.

Danielle Flanders said...

Lissa, The white trim paint I used on our spindles was here already from the previous owners, and it is Benjamin Moore Regal Classic Semi-Gloss, White N3333 01. I found another can of it at a place here in Parker called Guiry's Paint and Wallpaper. It's spendy, but really does coat well. It's nice and thick! Let me know if you have any more questions!
Danielle

Unknown said...

Such a lovely home Danielle! You did an amazing job!
If you wouldn't mind sending some of that gorgeous snow to me in Sydney please?! I would so LOVE to have a white Xmas lol
Thanks for sharing.
Hope you have a wonderful xmas & a bright & happy New year!
Colette

Anonymous said...

What a great job you did. It looks wonderful. The rich espresso just pops with the white! Lucky you to have a white Christmas. We are putting up out tree today--it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! :-)

Judy Cook said...

What a transformation. I absolutely love it. You did an amazing job Danielle. Great choice. Looks totally different now and so classy.

Rebecca Ednie said...

I DETEST my bannister and it was much like yours. I'm thrilled to learn about the product for painting the top tailing because I'd choose the same colour! Thank you. Looks awesome!

Helen F. said...

Awesome photos of your beautiful home, Danielle. I love that you took on this project yourself ~ fabulous outcome! Great pic of outside too, I must admit I miss the snowfall at Christmas time...I don't usually get into the spirit here in FL until December 24th :-)

cutiephinphin said...

Danielle, you seriously have a beautiful home! Love the high ceiling with that christmas tree. And I LOVE white Christmas. Missing it...

Lissa said...

Thank you for sharing the paint color for the trim! Yes, I'm in Castle Rock - we are close. If you ever want to scrapbook, I'm here! :)

maria f. said...

Congratulations on a job well done and one more step turning your house into your home. Enjoy the snow!

Nancy Penir said...

Your project transformed your home! So impressed with your professional skill! Doesn't it feel great to DIY? We live in a rambling farmhouse, and have completely remodeled 3 times! Congrats on your beautiful home!

Viktoriya said...

Very beautiful! View from the window is awesome!

Lindsey said...

Gorgeous. YOU did a fabulous job. It makes everything in your entryway more beautiful.