Renovation Update: Stairs

This weekend we decided to tackle the stairs.

Originally the stairs were carpeted 

with this very lovely navy blue:

We pulled up the carpet weeks ago and as I am sure you can recall

we were not happy with the condition of the wood underneath 

{lots of nails, lots and lots of nails}.

The stairs had some nails but most were clustered up the middle.

Our initial plan was to remove the carpet, refinish the edges, 

and carpet the center with a runner.

However, we saw a picture on Pinterest

of white stairs with a neutral runner and fell in love.

Pinterest Inspiration

 So, Saturday we woke up bright and early and decided to go for it!

We had to sand each and every step to scuff up the wood varnish

allowing for the paint to have something to stick to.

We started with 60 grit sandpaper and worked our way to 150 grit.

 Our generous friend Kenny helped Alex with the sanding of the steps

while I focused my attention on the landing.

I used a sander for the majority of the surface but around the nails I had to hand sand.

I'll admit, I was not loving life then.

Once we scuffed the wood up,

we primed the whole stairwell.

I "forgot" to take a picture mainly because 

it looked terrible and nearly gave me a stroke.

I began to question everything we had started.

The primer went on so streaky, which I know it normal, 

but was not aesthetically pleasing in the least!

Sunday morning Alex left for a business trip 

and as soon as he left for the airport

I painted the stairs.

We still have to look for a runner 

but I am so thankful the paint covered 

much better than the primer.

Renovation Update

Hooray! Hooray! 

Our house is finally, finally starting to resemble a residence again.

After nearly 27 days of destruction,

we are beginning to put the pieces back together.

Here is our new kitchen floor:

It is without grout but still, oh my heavens, 

this is SOO much better than the original yellow vinyl floor.

HOWEVER,

{and this is a BIG however}

we removed the carpet

to discover the most devastating tragedy.

Okay, so I am being a little melodramatic but

it is a terrible shame what the previous owner did to her beautiful hardwood floors.

Without rhyme or reason {that we can tell}, 

she had someone put large silver-headed nails ALL OVER THE FLOORS.

The nails are everywhere:

downstairs hallway, dining room, living room,

upstairs hallway, and all bedrooms.

Whew! I think I need a glass of wine just typing that.

We are trying to figure out where to go from here,

so if you have any suggestions please send them my way.

I will keep you posted.

P.S. My anti-anxiety fix is coming in the form of these three lovely reads and a nice hot bath.

Weekend Renovations

Like I said in an earlier post,

this house definitely needs a lot of love.

Here are some pictures to prove it!

Before:

As you can tell, this lady was a wallpaper fiend!

Not so much our style, 

So, this weekend my very loving friends, family, and I attacked with no mercy!

 ***********

The "setup" in the dining room:

And the ATTACK {aka CHAOS!}:

Removal of the sink in the downstairs 1/2 bath led to surprise discovery #1:
Previous owner tiled over tile.

Saturday's priority.
The living room was sans wallpaper {thank heavens!} but needed LOTS of cleaning.
This lady was a smoker and, let me tell you, I have never had a desire to smoke but after seeing the
tar residue drip off the ceiling and walls I will NEVER even touch a cigarette. 

This wallpapered foyer was my main target today.  

Wallpaper removal tools.

While my wallpaper progress was slow and steady,
Mama killed it by priming all the walls in the living room.

Upstairs bathroom had some mold in the drywall.
We left this task up to the professionals.

At the end of today, I was able to remove all the blue wallpaper from the foyer
but was way too tired to take any photographs.

Big-Girl News!

Yesterday, we bought a HOUSE!

It definitely needs some work

and I promise to share all renovation details

but right now I am just going to relish in the fact that we are HOMEOWNERS!