Kara, an Atlanta homeowner whose 1911 Arts and Crafts home was recently featured on This Old House, knew that her home's sad, leaning staircase was in need of a renovation, for appearances and for safety's sake.
Here's how it looked prior to renovation.
To see its updated appearance, .
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Thinking back on all the scrapes and bruises I acquired simply from falling down my stairs as an overly energetic kid, I cringe a little. But there was no stopping me, especially on the days (most) when I was late to school. If only my parents had thought to install some sort of no-slip system, I mightn't have been so black and blue.
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At one point in my life, this would be a no-brainer for me. Back when all of my boyfriends (and myself, too) hung out on skateboards and in skateboard parks, this would've been a perfect addition to our homes. Can you see any room for it in yours?
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In Rimrock Ranch, a home near Palm Springs designed by architect Lloyd Russell, which was recently featured in the LA Times, spare modern architecture lends an urban style to the cowboy roots of the desert. Here, the steps to a kitchen set between two suites have a dual purpose. The wood planks were extended to serve as a side table for the rustic couch beside the staircase, relieving the need for additional furnishings.
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The classic Shaker style of the Gaiam Step Basket ($29, from $60) may not appeal to the modernists out there, but I think we can all appreciate its functionality. Maybe it's just me, but I think the mother of every friend I had growing up used to leave her family's things (sneakers, magazines, laundry, etc.) at the base of the stairs to be picked up. There's nothing neat about leaving things laying on the stairs, but a step basket will keep things looking tidy, and you can carry it with you on your way up.
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Seattle-based Domestic Architecture left the walls of this Manhattan Beach home white and took a paint brush to the steps, making the green staircase the center of attention. Tell me, do you like this use of color?
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Country Living's website recently featured a slideshow of a less-than-covetable staircase in a reader's home. From the picture, it's obvious that the space needed a major change in look — it simply looks dated and worn out, thanks in large part to the carpeting and faux wood paneling. The homeowners wanted to bring light, life, and funky style to the space.
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Melissa from Sugar City Journal recently made a small change to her staircase that carries a huge visual impact. She scanned a damask fabric into the computer, then digitally enhanced it in PhotoShop. After printing the pattern on paper, she glued the sheets together, laminated them, and then used Modgepodge to glue them to her stairs.
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Designers Gabriella Gustafson & Mattias Ståhlbom from TAF were commissioned by a family in Stockholm, Sweden, to create a staircase in this cramped space.
To see the designers' surprising solution, just
The left-side photo shows the staircase looking up, while the right-side photo shows what the stairs look like from the top of the staircase. I love this design, but I wonder if sleepy stair travelers might go bump in the night if they don't pay attention to the pattern of the stairs.
I thought I'd pay tribute to New York Fashion Week again today with this lovely photo of Coco Chanel's apartment posted on Notcot. The floors of the fashion designer's former residence are linked by a mirrored staircase, which apparently allowed Chanel to stand in one spot and have a view of every floor.
