Completed: The Stairs

Let me refresh your memory.  These are the stairs from the kitchen to the garage before the great flooring project of 2012 began (likely to be called the great flooring project of 2012/2013 at the rate we're going):

Gross!

We tore carpet up and then left them like this FOR THREE MONTHS.  To be fair, not that dirty, but that ugly. 

A few weeks ago, we installed new tread right over that black stuff.  First, I used cabinet and trim in bright white to paint the risers. 

Then we actually worked together to cut and install the tread.  No one lost a finger.  And we did not kill each other in the process.  That is success enough, but wait until you see how great they turned out!

We bought six white oak treads at Lumber Liquidators.  They are straight on one end, and we just trimmed the other end as closely as we could.  Of course, our house is old.  Nothing is square.  So we measured twice and cut once.  Some fit better than others.  Some slid right in.  Some we had to really jam in there.  No nails involved.  Just construction grade adhesive!

We are so happy with how they turned out.

------------------------------------

In my past post showing you the color I added to our main stairway, I gave you a sneak peek at these stairs too.  These are the main stairs to our bedrooms and bathroom and already had wood treads installed.  The flooring guys tore off the carpet and refinished the tread.

All we did was touch up the pain and install a runner.  It was less than $35 from Target.  When it is dirty, I can simply pull it up and replace it if I am not up to the task of cleaning it. 

Without further ado, the finished product!

Our to-do list is long, but we can mark these two projects complete!  Next: painting trim, painting hallways, painting closets.  Lots of painting.  Send help.