What's more "luxe"?

9 years ago

We are down to our last child in the house with three years to go until she heads to college (bittersweet... with more sweet...) and I want to make this family house into my sexy house as much as possible without gutting the thing.

You all helped me so much earlier with my door entry from the garage dilemma, I now have a second challenge to bring to you.

My stairs.

We have front and rear stairs. The front are currently carpeted a very plain carpet which was fine for four small kids, three of them boys but now I want to elevate my decor and have a more luxe feel.

Would it be best to carpet the entryway stairs and add wainscot up the wall and stain the rear stairs ebony or vice versa? I currently have the spindles painted white with the handrails and side steps black.

(Wall painting begins this week with a very pale gray)

Featured Answer

emmarene9

9 years ago

I wouldn't want carpet on either stairway.

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Comments (12)

PRO
Michelle Scott for Ethan Allen - Laguna Niguel, CA
9 years ago
Depending on your budget - changing to wood stairs from an upholstered carpet stairs could be very costly - if this is your forever home, and something you really love - then make it happen - typically under the carpet will be plywood - so that would need to be removed, and replaced with wood treads and risers - to be done correctly - the entire staircase should be removed and rebuilt.

I have an idea book - patterned contrasting carpet on stairs that might give you some ideas that wouldn't require such drastic measures...

The wainscotting will definitely add some Luxe, and refine the stair cases.
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Emily Jowers
9 years ago
I love runners on stairs, but if you have plywood under the carpet, you would still need to replace the steps and risers to have a runner, so either way, you have to redo the stairs.
Kym W
Original Author
9 years ago
Hmmmm. So even though we have wood showing on the side of the steps in the rear and front stairs photos, (painted black to match the handrail), there still a possibility the rest of the stairs that's covered with carpet can be plywood??
PRO
Michelle Scott for Ethan Allen - Laguna Niguel, CA
9 years ago
if you feel around where the carpet meets the wood at the sides of the stairs, you will likely be able to tell where the decorative wood ends, and the carpet over the plywood starts. It's not likely that broadloom carpet was upholstered over solid wood stairs. It's possible - just not likely.
C F
9 years ago
Cost and feasibility issues aside, I wouldn't want bare wood on any stairs you use frequently. It is super slippery and dangerous, especially if you are prone to wearing socks or house slippers.
PRO
JAN MOYER
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Most likely the entire stair IS wood. You still want a runner, it's unsafe without, and a battle to keep risers from marks and scars. Need not be as wide as the one now there, but yes....it's actually stair enhancing as well.
Kym W
Original Author
9 years ago
Well now I am really curious to see what's under the carpet. I'm gonna pry a piece aside from the rear stairs and see. Will report back this weekend. Thank you everyone!
PRO
Michelle Scott for Ethan Allen - Laguna Niguel, CA
9 years ago
What did you find out?
Kym W
Original Author
9 years ago
Plywood on all 3 staircases (insert crying emoji)
PRO
Michelle Scott for Ethan Allen - Laguna Niguel, CA
9 years ago
I am sorry - I was hoping I was wrong...
Judy Mishkin
9 years ago
but the good news is that since you have 2 staircases, they don't have to be replaced in a single day (or else you are paying for a hotel room, too.)

i'd certainly do it for the front stairs. save your pennies (again) for the back ones.