Saturday, November 16, 2013

Banister Painted!


I have never liked our banister - never.
 I remember thinking it was ugly the first time we toured the house.



We always planned on redoing it.
I wanted something like this.


Source: The Blooming Hydrangea

When those waned in favor, I wanted wrought iron.
We never had the money for a redo.
Three kids, 5 cars, college....
The list could go on and on.
 I chose to ignore the banister. 
I flat out chose not to notice it anymore.
When I finished altering my mantel, I tried to figure out how I could add lumber to the newel posts.
I couldn't figure it out.
I thought about getting the carpenter out to see what he could do but other projects were more pressing.
Ignore, ignore, ignore.



I tried to make it darker with stain a few weeks ago but I could still see the orange when the sun moved to the back side of the house.
I could not stop obsessing about this stairway.
I've been thinking about Christmas and looking at Pinterest.
I started seeing all these wonderful banisters dripping with swags of garland.
They were white!
I also noticed that many of then had clean lines and were very linear-like mine.




Even though I knew this would be a job, I decided to bite the bullet and go for it.




It was as bad as I thought. Getting in all the nooks was tedious. I had to look at it from all different angles to make sure I got it all. Just when I thought I got it all, I would see a spot I missed. What a bizarre way to build a banister but
Bill says it was cheaper to build it this way.



The color is Sherwin Williams, White Duck in a Satin Oil Base Enamel.



It looks cottage or Farmhouse instead of Craftsman or 80s Mission Revival. Yeah!






I love it.





I don't have to ignore, ignore, ignore!




Are you wondering why I didn't do this to begin with?
I'll tell you.
About 15 years ago our neighbors painted their cabinets and banister white. 
I didn't like it in their space because it looked cold.
But they had white tile floors, white walls, red leather sofas and a red brick hearth. I don't even think they had window treatments.  
There was no warmth or softness in the space. 
I was left with such a negative impression that for years I wouldn't even consider painting ours.

It is a relief to have this project behind me except for the little bit upstairs.





I can't wait to decorate it for Christmas.
Katie

 Linking with, 
Funky Junk Interiors 
Between Naps on the Porch   
A Stroll Thru Life  
Lavender Garden Cottage   
Savvy Southern Style   
French Country Cottage

10 comments :

  1. It looks like a new room. Love to see what some white paint can do. Beautiful.

    Hugs

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  2. I know just how you feel! It's hard to make that first brush stroke, but once you start it's easy! I'm going to be painting my trim until Thanksgiving at the rate I'm going. It's taking 7 coats of trim paint to cover the dark brown trim!!! Your banister looks fabulous and it's going to be the star of the show when Christmas rolls around!

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  3. That looks fantastic! I really pulls all the white in the room together. I'm sure that was hours worth of work but worth it I'd say. :)

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  4. That looks awesome!!! I love all the nooks and crannies in your staircase! So fun a space!
    Sherry

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  5. It looks great! Love how it also compliments your mantel.

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  6. Love the white, so pretty and so chic too. Big different. You did good. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  7. I cannot imagine the trouble you had getting this painted. Great job - it really made a big difference in the rooms. It will be beautiful decorated at Christmas.

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  8. It looks lovely! I can't wait to decorate our bannister for Christmas too xx

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  9. Your bannister looks great.

    One of the things I do miss at our former home was decorating the bannister. But, I love this house so I guess I can live without a bannister.

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  10. Oh My Gosh!! Now I'm going to paint my bannister white, too! You're my white paint savior! LOL!

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