These stairs were the inspiration for firing up a line of stencils.
Click HERE to view our current designs in our online store.
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I’ve always loved the look of stamped numbers and logos on wooden crates.
So when the PAINT theme came up for So You Think, I had an idea I’d never seen done before. Would it work?!?
Grabbing some crate and label inspiration I had close by, I started drawing up my plan.
Sign equipment used
The drawing programs I use are CorelDraw and Signlab, alongside a vinyl cutting machine (Roland PNC 1000A) built for commercial use. I use this equipment in my vehicle lettering business, which aren’t priced for novice type users. However, stencils anyone can make is all this takes.
And then I got right to work. 🙂 Yep, right ON the stairs.
And here’s the result.
Come on in and I’ll show you around my old crate staircase! 🙂
The stairs were designed to appear to have been made out of old signboards and wooden stamped crates.
Some steps share one logo, looking as if a large sign was cut in half in order to create the steps.
Different ideas for treads were utilized for a fun eclectic look!
The end result is something so fun and outrageous, you can’t help but smile. 🙂 And a funny story? My two cats think there’s something on the stairs so they wind themselves around each logo as they use them. 🙂
The very fuzzy before.
2015 summer home tour HERE 5 years later!
How to make the wall signs is HERE
And the very funky eclectic FUN!! after.
A wooden crate staircase is one wild way to enter this house and suits my own personal style to perfection. The more banged up and paint splattered the stairs previously were, the more authentic they appeared! My favorite splatters are from the dog after she ran through a knocked over paint spill. 🙂
~ Method used: ~
Sand and vacuum the stairway as-is
Latex paint with stencils – the white is leftover ceiling, the rest acrylic craft
Distress the painted stencils.
Stain – oil based I had on hand, went overtop the stencils
Varnish – satin in a spray can for wood
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There was simply nothing to lose in trying out this crazy idea. The stairway can always be covered with carpet right on top of the wildness at any time.
Give your own old carpeted stairway some thought on what design may suit your own home!
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How the stairs were built is HERE
These stairs were the inspiration for firing up a line of stencils.
Click HERE to view our current designs in our online store.
Contest wins and features:
Thanks for your votes all! The crate stairs ranked a first place!
Weekly winner of Before and After Contest – Sept 2010
$50 Home Depot gift certificate
One Project Closer
Get OUT Of HERE – THIS is AMAZING!!!! So creative and unique – I can not look at these pictures enough. You have such talent and vision – I am so blown away by this…WOW Donna!! Great Great Job ~ well done! Ummm – I want some of those stairs!
remember me when your famous, please.
I am hyperventilating I love that so much! YOU ARE AMAZING! I thought I loved the old sign headboard. This is my new favorite project on your blog.
How fun would something like this be on my deck!!!
This is one of the coolest projects that I have EVER seen! You are completely amazing Donna! I can’t stop looking at your staircase. I can not get over it, really, you did such a great job, I wonder what magazine will pick this up, you totally deserve it!
I just about died this is so awesome. You did a FABULOUS job painting because the “age” looks perfect! Such character! *squeal!*
Ahhhh cats – they are so entertaining. 🙂
I LOVE this! And I have some painted stairs in my house. Why don’t I have the guts to do this? I voted for you again. 🙂
Donna, you are one very imaginative and talented woman! I absolutely love this!
Kat 🙂
Love it….such a beautiful idea!!
I’ve loved all your projects so far but WOW this one is incredible. Please come paint my stairs to look like crates! Honestly, when I saw the first photo on SYTYCD I thought you had used real crates and wondered how you were going to link that to the paint theme. When I read that you made them I was floored. I just love your style!!
It looks so AWSOME! And it’s so you!
speechless…too, too good…completely fabulous (ok, not quite speechless!)
Ok, this is just so over the top! But I love it. Makes me wish I had some stairs. Oh, I do, going out to the back deck. Watch out stairs!
These steps are brilliant!!!
I don’t have any steps inside, but I have a staircase along the side of my house – please show us step by step { hehe } how you did this to make it look like it’s old ads =
Thank You and So nice to see you –
Marsha
My deck is calling, it needs some fun. Thanks for the inspiration… I especially loved the touch of the rulers… I love rulers.
Absolutely wonderful idea and execution – love it! I love the old-timey feel, it must have taken you forever to do that. Great job!
Donna:
INGENIUS!
AMAZING!
FANSTINKINGTASTIC!
Girlfriend, you rocked these stairs. I think this is my all time favorite project of yours.
(insert applause here)
Crazy Awesome! You have a mind like no one else…how do you think of things like this? LOVE IT!
So very cool and original!
Donna- I can’t say anything that hasn’t been said thus far, lol! I mean this with all my heart…you are GOING PLACES, girlfriend!
YOU are FREAKING AMAZING!!
xox,
Susan
Picking-jaw-up-from-floor fabulous!
I am blown away by that. Wow!
This is so awesome, Donna! What a totally great new idea! I wish I could think of a place to do something like this in my house!
This is so awesome… I don’t have stairs, but if I did, I’d totally steal this one. Great job!
Ummm…the Lord gives us all different talents…and yours is AMAZING!
Donna, you never cease to amaze me. You hit this one out of the park. It is UH-MAY-ZING!
Incredibly creative and original. Best project Ive seen in a long, long time.
How you had the time and mental aptitude to pull this off this week is beyond me.
Ok, seriously, if YOU don’t submit this to some magazines, I will do it for you. And you know I mean it!
This is to much! WOW WOW WOW!!! I just love it, so remarkable! You amaze me with all your ideas.Thanks for sharing. Blessings, Vicky
Donna, this is amazing!!! Such incredible creativity! I love the way it looks and I love that your cats walk around the logos, so funny!!
Donna! Oh. my. freakin’. heck. You are totally amazing. I might as well bow out now because I truly can’t compete with your outside-the-box creativity!!! Seriously woman, I am in awe! I so love this project!!
Humbled to be in the same contest with you…
xoxo
Wendy
Donna-
Oh my goodness! this is so fantastic. I agree with Polly- Out of the park. Heck out of this world,EVEN!
And! so not fair. I live in a single dwelling home. I’m trying to think of someplace ANYPLACE, I CAN PAINT ME SOME CRATE SIGNS.
I LOVE IT!
Awesome Job Donna. Out of curiosity..does the different paint colors and the pattern ..throw you off walking on them..know what I mean?
Be my luck..I would go to all that trouble..and then get unbalanced walking on them..lol
Now go relax!!!!!
Cindy
Rick-Rack and Gingham
Wow! One of my favorites by you! Love the Coke one-they really do look original! Wonderful work!
Seriously, could you get any more amazing?? Unbelievable:)
OMGosh, I want these stairs!!!!! I would love to buy these stencils, do you make them to sale? I would love to see each step in the painting process…….this is FAB-U-LOUS!!!!!
Wow! wow wow wow wow wow!!! Seriously makes me wish I had stairs. I LOVE these.
Those stairs are fabulous!! You always amaze me with all your fabulous ideas!
Wow. So you don’t think I’m crazy?!? 🙂
I’m not sure I could really offer more of a tutorial than I already did. The only thing I didn’t say is, the logos that are 2 colour need the base colour down first, let it dry, then apply the top colour, such as the Pepsi. 2 toned logos would require two stencils.
I’ll look at the pictures I didn’t post and perhaps do a follow up on this one after the weekend if there’s anything I think I can add.
And just so you know, this can be done to any surface, not just stairs. Don’t have stairs? Do it on a table top! 🙂
Thanks again all!
FJ Donna
Your stairs look crate!!!
: )
Julie M.
How is it possible to be in love with stairs…?!
…because I absoloutely am.
Wow. Double Wow.
I don’t even know if love covers it… I am officially infatuated with your stairs.
Great idea, stylish execution…. *swoons*
Donna,
You are a FREAKING GENIUS. That is possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen.
Grover
groverwoodworks.blogspot.com
Donna,
You ttttotttally outdid yourself on this one. My stairs are covered in old, gross, stained carpet and now my wheels are turning…….
I just LOVE your BLOG!!!!
Keep inspiring us all.
Tina
MOVE OVER KI AND SUE!! HERE COMES FUNKY JUNK DONNA!!! Rhonda
amazing! i love everything about it!
JUST when I think you can’t impress me ANYMORE, you go and come up with THIS!!!! Donna, it’s official, YOU’RE A GENIOUS! If you don’t end up on television with your own show someday soon it will be a cryin’ shame! I’m toally blown away with this one! I soo love coming here! 😉
Wow! Fabulous!
~elaine~
Unbelievable! I would never have thought to do this! You are so creative! You truly blow me away…..Love it!
Wow – your stairs look amazing. What an original idea.
Over the top and then some! Yes, you are crazy – in the best fun, creative kind of way! I agree with Polly, submit this to every magazine you can think of.
you have just solved my basement stairs problem! We’ve lived here for 7 years-the basement stairs are still unfinished ..plain wood,nothing fancy,not even finished off particularly well because the builder assumed we’d throw some carpet down on them. Carpet on stairs is not my thing..its dangerous for one and its impossible to keep clean..thought about paint but geez louise, what color and with all the abuse I would be forever touching it up-I am completely head over heels for your idea now-its quirky,it will not matter if it gets nicked up from work boots and fire wood,it will with stand the dirt of living in the country AND best f all I already have everything I need to do it so CHA-Ching….affordable!
thank you thank you thank you..
Donna, WOW! LOVE THEM! there are not many stenciled items made to look old that I fall in love with THESE I LOVE! It looks more like you cut the crate to make the stairs, FANTASTIC! I agree with Polly you need to submit these, they are your best project yet!
Donna,
That is absolutely wild!!! Love it!!!
Blessings,
Cindy
Fabulous my dear…simply fabulous!! I love the idea and the results. I would have never thought to do this. You are so clever! I want to come and play with you….please??
Hugs
SueAnn
Unbelievably cool! How could anyone not like this? Thank you for providing so much inspiration!
Candy
oh my gosh……..I LOVE this!!!!!!! can you PLEASE come do mine!!!!!! 🙂
Love this! The stairs look amazing!
lOvE iT !!!! Your talent blows me away~ Love that you are creating out side of the box. It just makes me smile.
Kristtie
I am not easily impressed but GF you are CRAZY talented….Of course you win in my eyes….thinking outside of the BOX….way to go….blessings my dear
So creative – how do you come up with these ideas? So jeaulous of your talent.
Donna I want to come live at your house! You have the best ideas. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next. I am going to attempt the metal bed frame on the wall, I have everything I just hope that mine looks as amazing as yours and not like a pile of garbage on the wall:)
🙂 Michelle
CAN I GET A SECOND WITNESS????????
DONNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ POLLY’S COMMENT…..
Those stairs are to die for!!! Why can’t you be my best friend and next door neighbor who loves to do favors for her friend! LOL!! Awesome job.
Kristi
Punkin Seed Productions
That is FANFREAKINGTASTIC! That is one of the coolest DIY transformations I have ever seen. Your creativity is totally amazing.
Those are the coolest stairs I have ever seen in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!
~Debra
Blog Capers of the vintage vixens
i am so blown away, i love them, i voted for you!
This is so amazing – I love old crates. And, this would be a perfect way for me to have an homage to old travel signs in my house – without having them plastered on every wall. (I don’t want the place to look like a boys dorm room!)
Now, the problem…
I don’t have any stairs.
Well, I’ve saved this project in my planning notebook. Someday, I’ll do this!
Thanks so much 🙂 Oh, and I voted, of course.
YOU are fan-flippin-tastik! These are amazing and as you said fit SO WELL in your home! Ive loved all your projects but this just screams DONNA! Love it!
Sarah
handbagsnpigtails.blogspot.com
I can’t even find the words to describe how much I love this! You are SO awesome! LOVE LOVE LOVE the vintage feel! This is awesome! Once again looking for an opportunity to copy you!
~Bridgette
That is just so fun! I wish I had been that creative when we redid our stairs. I love them, but this is great! I like that it is something that you wouldn’t see anywhere else. I love things like that in our house.
This is without a doubt the absolute BEST idea I have EVER seen. The idea in itself is beyond phenomenal but the execution… OMG it could not possibly have been done more perfectly (??imperfectly??!!).
HOLY CRAP this is amazing! Love love love the other girls’ stuff, as usual, but stop the bus and stop the whole competition right here and now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SOOOOOOOoooooo COOL! WoW! You’re my hero!! LOL! It’s Awesome Donna as I know you’ve already heard!! Very Creative! Looks great! 🙂
Absolutely love, love, love this idea!! Only have steps on my front porch but the wheels are turning now!!!
Great job…
I’m inspired…i could have saved myself lots of $ when I ripped out my old carpet!
What a great idea Donna!!!
You are so creative and your home must be one interesting and fun place to visit.
Continuing in prayer for you and your family.
Love and hugs and blessings
barbara jean
I love how original this idea is! I have NEVER seen anything like it before and just love the look of it. Wowza!!! Great work!! 😀 😀 😀
http://classiclyamber.com/blog/
FABULOUS!!!!
I’m so envious of you and your vinyl cutter stuff!!
Really unique and beautiful.
Holy Cow! Awesome work! Very different, not many people can say their stairs are a work of art.
OMG, I love the way the stairs look! What a great idea. Glad I stopped by, I think I’ll have to add you to my reader. 🙂
Seriously. I think you deserve a TV show. I’m totally not kidding!
One word: WOW!
i almost fell out of my chair when i saw this!
it’s absolutely wonderful…
amen.
OH.MY.GAWD!!!! Never seen anything like this fabulousness (yes that’s a word. You are QUEEN!!!!!!!
That is amazing! So very cool-great job!
OK, where were you for the past 19 years? Last year I moved FROM a house that had TWO inside staircases. (A front and back stair case). The house was wonderful and I miss it (MORE) each day. This would have been SO perfect on the stairs. I did tho paint them and number them years and years ago. Visitors thought I was mentally challenged I think! ha! Sadly, in my new house (and new state) I do not have any stairs. I will remember this tho….just in case! It is wonderful!
love your blog!
Love this project and the items you chose too paint are great!!!
For a couple of years I lived in a fairly bare apartment, blanket for a bed, an old swing for a couch, and crates for tables. Your stairs made me feel at home, and brought back memories of care free days!
What a great idea! You are brilliant and you pulled it off so well. The colors and logos look perfect. This project is so “you” and, based on the response, I think you’re going to have a good week! 🙂
Wow, those are AMAZING! What a great idea and awesome execution! I don’t know what else is up for voting this week on SYTYCD but you’ve got my vote!!
#90, I thank you for your vote, however I sincerely ask for all to please ensure to view all the other entries before submitting your chosen vote. I respectfully support the other gals in this contest 100%.
Thanks so much. Your kudos are totally overwhelming. 🙂
FJ Donna
Oh. My. This is amazingly fabulous! I can even begin to describe how much I ♥ this!
This blows me away! I can’t believe how amazing it is! Great job!
be still my heart! YOU are simply amazing! this is one of THE coolest projects i have ever seen. sheesh…and i thought i was in love with my leopard carpet stairs. THIS is so much more FUN! p.s. i voted for you!
kathi
YOU. Ahhh-MAZE. ME. this is so vintage, funky, cool! i love it..hmmmm….now to see if it would work on our enclosed staircase. i just can’t stop saying wow. wow. wow! this is over the top as it can be! can you come for a visit and wave your creative hands around my home…pretty please?????!!!!!
judi 😉
Donna, dear, I’m going to echo what the other 3,000,000 people have already said … this project took imagination, vision, and a leap of faith … and the results are completely fabulous!! Congratulations on such a wonderful, original idea.
You ROCK!
Connie
Your creativity is amazing! I love reading your blog and can’t wait to move into a new house that has stairs!
So amazing!!!
Those stairs make me smile too =) And I bet they will look even more aged overtime.
What timing. I was just looking at my stairs that I tore the carpet off, painted and stenciled several years ago and thought “I need to repaint these stairs. They need updating.” I LOVE what you did! I am so inspired! Thanks for sharing.
Love your blog.. love your stuff!! Love the stairs. You are inspirational. Hats off!!
Very creative!
This is surely one of the most original and amazing projects I have ever seen. I absolutely love everything you conjure up!
OH.MY.STARS. I want some!
DITTO DITTO DITTO… to what all the 103 commenters stated above is all I can come up with to write, as I am truly speechless right now.
This turned out so amazing!
The stairs are amazing. I love how creative you are. I admire the way you live outside the box. I am inspired to start making some changes around here in my cookie cutter house that looks like every other house on the block. You are truly a creative, amazing person. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
What!??!! Amazing!!! A very enthusiastic thumbs up! I was actually saying outloud what almost all the friends above have said! I will buils stairs just to do that! Voting!
~Nancy
Man, all the good words are used up. I had to go to a thesaurus to come up with something that you haven’t heard before. How about THAT STAIRCASE IS PRODIGIOUS! And you are so SPRIGHTLY!
You are definitely one of a kind!
Donna, that is WAY cool & totally appropriate for your house. I love it! I just redid a really BAD staircase here at my house & it will be up on Wed. I’m really proud of this one too!
Great job, girl!
FJ Donna, you absolutely rocked this one! Your creativity is so impressive! You are an inspiration to all of us who don’t want to have a house that looks just like the Ballard or PB catalog! Truly unique.
Oh my goodness! This is one of the most beautiful projects I have ever seen! And it is so original! You absolutely nailed the SYTYCD challenge!
Wow, what wonderful stairs. They really look like old advertising signs. You are one very creative and talented lady!
That is the craziest, most wonderful staircase. What an inspiration you are!
Amazing! You’ve done it again!
i love this too!!!!!
you rock girlfriend!!
Oh Donna! This is a project only you could think of! It looks great. I love it!! I wouldn’t get away with it in a milion years but I really LOVE it.
this is amazing, those stairs are awesome…found you on a link to my blog http://www.gracefulbear.blogspot.com
sweet! the texaco on an angle is my favorite Kelly
Not that you really need another comment, but I love your stairs as much as everyone else does!
Donna, what an amazing transformation. It goes to show that anything, no matter how yucky and unworthy can be made into a showstopper with CREATIVE THINKING and FOLLOW THROUGH with CONFIDENCE! As you said, you can always recarpet if it came out poorly–but then, you had a vision about it. Funny how visions seem to materialize when they have a pioneering spirit to make it happen!
Absolutely awesome! You got my vote!!!
I’ve never seen anything like this…you are amazingly talented AND creative. Bravo!!
I LOVE this!!!! It’s a super idea.
-FringeGirl
Love your stairs, this is a technique that could be used to make your own vintage boxes too!
ok, so i really can’t say anything that hasn’t been said before, but WOW!!! what a fantastic idea!! you took something that was totally boring and plain and turned it into something that it fun, crazy, a total conversation piece, with loads of PERSONALITY!
wow.
just wow.
I can’t even beleeeeeeeve how fun and cool this is! It makes me wish I had stairs so I could copy-cat you! Love, love, love it Donna–you have totally outdone yourself. Such creativity and talent–what a gift God has given you 🙂
Sindy
mc3073@aol.com
That was so funkie CREATIVE! I bet everyone who see this will be ripping up their carpet!
Excuse me if I mis-spell something as I type this. I am picking myself up off the floor. Does HGTV know about you??? Seriously. This is AMAZING…as is everything else you do…but this is beyond fantastic! Great job!
~mary~
amazing, truely truely one of a kind thing that blows my mind!
Oh my freaking gosh. YOu amaze me…your creativity, your funness, your ‘go get ’em attitude! These stairs are so absolutely cool I can’t even find words to articulate it!
You are headed for prime time TV. Mark my words girl.
OUTSTANDING! What an incredible transformation. I can’t stop looking…and smiling!
Okay. I totally want to be you when I grow up! I love the stairs!! Do you think it would be too crazy to use this on my outside stairs? As in, facing the street? Would that be over the top?
You are kidding me! This is A-MAY-ZING! With an extra ZING. Ok, I have to go back and look again. I love.
Love,Love,Love this project!!! How did you come up with the stencils?
You guys are killing me! 🙂
#134, if you mean how did I THINK of this idea, I just liked stamped looking numbers on wood. What I do from there is let the idea smolder and push it further. Things on wood… numbers, letters, logos, coke crates, etc. If it doesn’t wow me, it’s hasn’t cooked long enough yet. 🙂
#132, do I think it would be crazy to do outside stairs like this? I think you’re asking the wrong person! Just do it. 🙂
As for magazines and HGTV and all that jazz, I’m still on the build, big time. I’m still inventing and creating and dreaming new stuff every day. And that takes alot of energy. Once I catch my breath (meaning after So You Think LOL), I can then better concentrate on what I’ve actually created. Right now, it’s bang it all out as fast as I can.
Thanks so much for the thumbs up! Off I go to finish my next weirdo creation. 🙂
FJ Donna
Oh.my.word!!!!!! I LOVE them! They are absolutely fantastic and right up my alley! It really makes me wish I had stairs! But since I downsized, I now live in a matchbox and there are no stairs to be found. Your creativity never fails to amaze me. I love the way you think! You are one very creative and talented woman and such an inspiration!
~ Tracy
get outta town!!!
i swear – you are one creative soul!
i’ve been a little m.i.a. {enjoying Spring} and look what i miss.
wow! wow! wow!
you get the prize for thinking “outside of the box er, uh crate” award for the entire YEAR!
WOW!! This is amazing. I’m adding this to my staircase ideas folder for future reference. Thanks for the great idea and congrats on the win this week!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
This project genius of yours is SO deserving of FIRST PLACE!!!! Way to go!
CHEERS and a WOOT WOOT to you….
I’m always telling my family and friends about “Donna” and they just roll their eyes….Who is Donna? She’s never been to the house. We’ve never met her. You know? My friend Donna. From Canada!!! Gotta love blog land.
Congratulations, Donna! It’s just one more step in a great direction for you! (Okay…now THAT was pretty cheesey…eh?) I can’t wait to see what ya’ll do next!
: )
Julie M.
WOW!!!! Have to put my house on the market now as i want stairs!!!
Quick question, where would one buy those kind of stencils?
<3 Bella
I love it! Such a fun project, I wish I had somewhere to do that.
Fabulous!
This is seriously the coolest idea!!!
I have been collecting pictures and ideas for stairs for several years. This is hands-down, the most fabulous, most creative idea I’ve seen yet. You are AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing.
PS – Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. May I – one of these days – borrow your idea? I have stairs that could really use some help!
#145, Denise, you most certainly can! All I ask is you link back to the originator. PLUS I want to see your version, so make sure you tell me about it! 🙂
FJ Donna
Wow, wow, wow!!! I absolutely love this technique! Knuckle bump, my junky sistah!
Oh my word!!! They are awesome! You did an awesome job!!!
Donna – this work is absolutely brilliant! I wish I’d seen it earlier. I tried a process that I’d seen on Apartment Therapy to make my Hokey Pokey sign, but there was no tutorial so I winged it and used store bought stencils and fabric dye for finishing.
Your stairs are incredibly top shelf because of course the stencils were made by you, etc. Using this method on the bare stairs is genuis! BRAVO! Pam
Oooops! I take that back..I forgot there WAS a tutorial link, but I changed the method a bit to use what I had on hand. I only had a small piece of plywood to work with and no stain in sight so I substituted the fabric dye.
WOW, WOW and WOWWEE!!!!!!!!!! You are the woman. I bow to your creativity!! 🙂 This is the most amazing project I have EVER seen on the net. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How cool is that!!! Turned out awesome! Funny how your cats walk around the painted areas! You should get that on video!
Tammy
These stairs are fabulously adorable, wonderful, unique and pure genious! LOVE Them!
It took me a while to pick up my jaw (which has dropped to the floor with a loud bang) but my my my …. Bloody hell, these are fabulous. These stairs are AMAZING!!! I don’t have stairs where I live (well uh I do sorta but they are made of concrete and are on the outside of the building I live in so that doesn’t count) Whey don’t I have stairs ????, but I am so copying this style to my so much hated coffee table. I love your blog, Thank you so very much for all the inspiration.
If your stairs ever go missing you might want to check my house! I SO love these. You are amazing!
Jennie @ Cinnaberry Suite
I think you know those are amazing. They look so like the real thing. Must use this technique on something in my house!
All I can say is WOW….it is amazing. I would never have thought of that, but I seriously love it. I hope you don’t mind if I copy, because I’m seriously planning it out. If I accomplish it I will send you an email with pictures. Thanks for the wonderful idea, you might have just solved my ugly worn out carpeting problem.
Oh my goodness . . . this is one of the coolest projects I have EVER seen! I love this! WOW!
This has got to be the most inventive staircase I’ve ever seen! I have caret on my stairs and hate it. I’ve always wanted to rip off the carpeting and paint the stairs. This has inspired me! Bravo!
I featured this most fabulously awesome project over at Little Miss Momma! Can I just say you rock!!!! WOW!
http://littlemissmomma.com
Direct link to feature:http://littlemissmomma.blogspot.com/2010/08/favoritehome-themed-projects-and.html
This is an amazing project. I am racking my brain trying to decide how to use this idea on my basement stairs. Thanks for the inspiration!
WTF! Wonderful,terrific and fabulous!! what did you think i meant?lol.
My jaw is dropping!! This is amazing!!! I love EVERYTHING about it!!! I wish I had stairs like this but they are all carpeted. 🙁
Congrats too on winning the award, you so deserved it!!!
Why haven’t I visited your blog before? I’m kicking myself as I write this…..I love your stair makeover, totally outrageous and cool! Thanks for sharing the instructions, too.
I just discovered your website and am already planning a few of your projects…including these stairs!! I am amazed at your talent and creativity!! When I get my stairs finished I’ll send you a pic… Thanks for the inspiration!!
I’m dying! I can not wait to rip out the nasty carpet in my house and do this! Your stairs ROCK!
OMGosh!!! This is so perfect for my basement stairs, and I’ve been dying to get rid of the nasty carpet! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Simply FABULOUS!!! (and cheap – could it get any better??!) <3
I love this. Such a fun idea. Love the soda crate them they are one of my favorite things!
~Heidi
this is awesome! reminds me of the funkalicious cafes in austin, without the chainsmoking smog. so happy to look at them!
What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing. I am new to the blog world and found your site very interesting 🙂 Have a happy day
This is fantastic! I love it – think I’ll try this on a coffee table idea I’ve had for awhile, since I don’t have any stairs to try it on.
I’ve used those $1 artist colors to add color when I’ve refinished furniture, btw – and lamps. But this is the best I’ve seen yet. Great job!
you are one creative lady!!!!!!!!!!!! stunning!
I found you through The Nester:) I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THIS!!! Do you have pics of the rest of your home? I totally think this would work magically in my house…I have a lot of “found” items..I like things to tell a story…My wheels are turning!!!!
Stopping by from the RISK party! These steps are so much fun. They look fantastic. You did such a great job of making them look just like vintage crates! 🙂
oh I am sooo ready to rip the carpet off the stairs to my basement. . I hate that carpet. . .my hubby wants the carpet though as he says it is a sound barrier. . .and we have 5 kids and lots of others in the house at all times. . but maybe I just put the wood right over the carpet. I am so gonna do it. . thanks for the inspiration. . coming over from Nesting Place Risk Day. .
Wow- that is wicked cool. You are very talented and brave! What a vision you had. Well done!
this is only like the greatest stair transformation in history. SOOOO amazing!
This is such a great idea and so cost effective. I might give it a go this summer. I am so over this carpeted stairway in our basement. Thank you!
I thought these stairs were genius the first time I saw them but I really thought you found the signs and cut them to fit the stairs. Now that I see you stenciled, painted and embellished them all yourself, my hat is totally off to you Donna! This is creativity at it’s finest! I love what you did!
Susan @ homeroad
I AM TOTALLY loving this idea but will add my own twist 😉 TFS!!!! I will link back to you of course 🙂 I still have plywood on my stairs & this will look great!
This is one of the most creative ideas I’ve ever run across, and so beautifully executed. You’ve got some serious talent!
Thank you!!!! Those stairs look so fabulous that I had to feature them on my blog, memyselfandtena@blogspot.com. Will you be doing a blog on Canada Day creations this year because I’m a Canadian living in California and need some Canadiana in my life!!
I hope this idea is for the ceiling! BECAUSE…in the next few weeks this is seriously happening to my basement steps! This is phenomenial! Bless you! And it’s so me!
Your stairs left me speechless.. Beautiful!
Hi , I met you at Rempel a few days ago. I knew you were cool when I met you, didn’t know how cool though. Very nice work ! I would like to learn more, is that possible ?
I know this is an old post but I just found it and really want to recreate this look in my home. I promise to send you pictures and post with credit to you everyhere. Could you please offer some insight on how you finished the sides of the stairs? Are they just small slices of finished stair treads? I am afraid when I pull up my rug there will be particle board underneath.
This is so amazing it makes me want to move out of my bungalow and buy a house with a staircase. There is nothing more I can say about this except…swoon. SWOON!
Amy
I’m curious about your commercial-grade vinyl stencil cutter! If you have time to share, would love more info!! You’re a girl after my own heart, Donna!
Kerry W.
kwilson@kpschools.com
IN LOVE with these… LOVE LOVE LOVE! So happy i discovered your blog 🙂
Such an amazing creative idea! We needed an alternative to carpet and flooring. Thank you. Now to figure out how you get that fabulous warn paint look on your logos. 🙂
Hey Neko! I’m currently writing an ebook on all my tips and tricks on making ‘new old’ look authentic. Watch the blog for more! 🙂
Well they look stunning. And very, very authentic.
The stairs look fabulous! I am definitely a fan of carpetless wonder Great job! Definitely an inspiration to me for my own staircase.
I love this project. I like the way you used yard sticks to make it even more unique.
I’ll be the 194th person to say “great job”! Came over from Southern Hospitality. You ladies are brave souls!
All the best,
Barbara
Completely AMAZING…..
Love this rustic look!
Great work…. good creativity
Okay, I’m lazy.. did you make these steps OUT of crates or did you just stencil the wood on your steps after you ripped off the crappy carpet.. either way.. AMAZING.. do you get slivers?
I painted them. 🙂 And not a sliver in sight!
OMG! AMAZING!!!! I AM JEALOUS! And INSPIRED!!!
The stenciling is great but I also love the steps themselves. How did you do that? I want to appropriate your concept but under my carpet the treads and risers are all particle board.
I stenciled right on top of the original wood. I just lucked out, no particle board in sight! 🙂
I am trying to see closely the moulding used on the sides – did you miter at the bull nose? Any other hints would be appreciated.
LOVE THIS!
Barbara
The stair edges were all professionally made. The original intent had been to carpet between the hardwood pieces. However when the carpet never arrived, I decided to paint them instead.
Thanks so much for the kudos!
This is quite possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen on Blogland. Absolutely love. Love. Love.
Spiral stairs are very useful to save space in attics and reduced spaces and at the same time, they give a modern and rhythmic style to your home. The installation of a custom-made spiral stair can improve the whole style of the house and enhance the kind of living accommodation.
Beautiful
From Susan G.
Like everyone else, I’m blown away. I have a horrible carpeted stairway that I hate vacuuming and I cannot afford to put in a new fancy wooden one. I’m interested in implementing this idea, with a few tweaks of my own of course. Can you help me out with some crucial details? 1) Is the wood we see you pained on what you found when you pulled up the carpet? I’m afraid I’ll find particle board! 2) I see in the photos that you changed the banister/rails. Your choice is great. Would you mind sharing where you got them/the name? 3) On both sides of the stairs you have a different, fancier wood running perpendicular to the stenciled stair (that is, under the rails and on the other side of each stair) What is the deal with this? Was this something you decided to do as an artistic choice or something putting in the new rails necessitated? Any info on why you did it this way would be really appreciated. 4) You said you used a stain you had on hand. I don’t have any experience with stain (trauma from my mother’s awful stain selections) and instead usually paint. I do, in fact, like the color of your stain a lot. Any idea what it might have been or what color(s) stain would give me a similar look? Any advice on brand of stain and varnish? 5) Finally, it has been several years since this remarkable stroke of creativity hit you. How are the stairs wearing? What sort of upkeep have you had to do? Re-varnish frequently? Would you do anything differently now? I know I’ve asked a lot of questions! Unless I know more about the technical side of this there is no way my hubby will not kill me if I rip up our carpet. I’m more of a fabric arts gal…but you’ve inspired me so much and given me some guts. Thank you so much for this blog. It makes me want to dig deeper inside myself, and my experiences with my family, and bring that into our home.
1. Yes! It was the original wood.
2. I made the rails out of steel rods, just cut down to size.
3. The edges of the stairway were implemented to incorporate carpet in between. When the carpet didn’t show up, I just ran with it and painted the stairs as is. This way, any future owner can choose to carpet if they so desire. The hardwood stair edges match my hardwood floors throughout the house.
4. I believe the stain/varnish I used was Varathane. It was a custom colour. If you bring a wood piece you like into the paint store, they can tint a stain to match what you desire. Pretty cool!
5. I didn’t varnish over each stairway and they have worn wonderfully! Most steps look as good as the day they were painted. And as they wear down, they just get better. Then again, I like that look so wear doesn’t bother me in the least!
The only thing I’d do differently is not wait so long to do this again! I LOVE these stairs! Love looking at them and love using them. I’m so glad to have inspired you, Susan!
I’ve been seriously coveting your stairs forever now and have anxiously awaited the release of your ebook on all your stenciling and “secrets”. Did I miss it’s release or is still in the works? I’ve searched high and low for stencils and haven’t found just the right ones….help! Beautiful work by the way. I find it hard to keep up with all your awesome projects.
I know I was on this site a few months ago and you had details on how you used the vinyl to create the signs. I now can’t find it. I know you say you have an ebook but can’t find that either. I would like to do some signs in my new garage that I put up 10″ pine boards on the walls.
I have a graphic a friend made but don’t understand how to make that a stencil. I would appreciate any help you can give of let me know how to get your ebook.
Thank you
Whoa, I’m so stoked right now! I saw this in a book or somewhere a while ago and I was so bummed that I didn’t know the source. Lucky me I happened upon your blog today, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!!
Great blog! I’m excited to see more!
These are the coolest stair rises I have ever seen! Thank you for inspiring me to put my vintage yardsticks to use 🙂
http://upcycledtreasures.com/2013/05/mason-jar-storage-with-vintage-yardsticks/
~Katie
The coolest stairs I have ever seen. I wish you could come do mine!
Love the steps! Awesome idea! Live in a rancher and thinking on doing this to basement stairs… Thanks!!!
I have this this phot forever, but the first time I looked at your post about it! They are so clever! I wish I had stairs! I have but one concrete step into my front door. Maybe I can find inspiration for it? Happy junky my friend…..
Can you please quote me to do this to my stairs as a surprise for my partner!!!
Hello!
I’m new to your blog, but have fallen in love with it!!! LOVE<3LOVE<3LOVE<3 AMAZING CREATIVITY!!!!!!!!!!
I have a very old home. It used to be a boat house and was converted, therefore the stairs are very similar, just smaller. I took the nasty carpet out over 2 years ago and have been scouring, looking for something creatively to do with them. I think this is it! The only problem I have is I'm not as creative as you! 🙁 In my mind I am, haha. But the mind/eye hand coordination thing happens and I'm not able to pull it off. This is where you come in…
I see there was an update added to the post about how to create the stencils. Having trouble finding the link. Is it available?
I would REALLY REALLY appreciate your info if available. 🙂
I'm inspired and want to leave work right now to start my new stair project!!!
Thank you!
did you put the crate wood over top of your existing stairs??
Also, as we speak (ok, type, but you get it!! ) I am trying to redo my steps leading up to my bedrooms…I knocked out a wall and would love to Open the last couple of steps up but I am total stuck…any suggestions??? I have plaster and lathe walls and it crumbles everytime I start to cut!!
Hi Leslie, I painted directly on the original wood. I lucked out and had solid wood underneath!
I’m not sure how to guide you on your construction without a picture… sounds like a big project! You’re welcome to share a picture of your dilemma on my Facebook page for some advice!
magic!!!!!!!!!!!!!beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!creative!!!
Would you be willing to replicate these and sell them to me for a new house my wife and I are building? The basement is going to look like an old barn and this would be perfect…however…there is no way I could make them look as good as yours! Please feel free to email me if you’re interested. I would love to have this in my home!
Hi Jason! I’d think that would be very cost prohibitive, sending large chunks of wood. Are you aware I sell old sign stencils now? That would really help with your quest!
You can find them at / http://funkyjunkinteriors.bigcartel.com/
I plan to create a stair kit in the fall as well. More soon! But feel free to email me direct if you have any questions… donna@funkyjunkinteriors.net
this is so me!!! i adore this look*** you have outdone yourself on this one!!!! so creative and inspiring. probably my most favorite thing you have done !!!!!
I love this project. So much so that I’ve had a photo of it that I saw years ago saved as inspiration since I have the same problem with the stair case in my house. At that time, the photo wasn’t connected to the “how to” part of the story. Now that I see it, I have a couple of questions:
1. It looks like you added new “borders” along the sides of the stairs at the same time you changed out your railings. Is this true? Did you do that yourself, or have those installed by someone else?
2. Did you make any changes to the wood that was underneath the carpet? Because there are a couple of steps (at the corner) that have wood “slats” perpendicular, I’m not sure if those were changed out. My house was built in 2000 and I suspect the wood underneath the carpet is just plain plywood, nothing with a bit more character. I’m wondering if simple plywood will lend itself to this finished result.
Thanks!
Hi Tamara!
I have always had the tutorial attached to the stair post, so you may have viewed a feature of the stairs in another post. But I always link to the original… or try! 🙂
Step edges were added, because the stairs were geared to accept carpet. This way, they still can be. But the look would be equally fun without the edges I’d say!
I had the edges and rails done professionally.
I made no changes to the wood. What you see is how it was under the carpet.
I’m uncertain how plywood would appear. You could always do a test and see. Or cover them with some thin, solid wood if they had too much of a plywood appearance.
I’ll do a test sometime on simple plywood to try it out! I’d think if it wasn’t that chippy confetti looking stuff, it could look awesome, once well sanded. But you would see raw layered edges…
Donna this is amazing as all your project are, love your Work. I’m a total begginer but it’s important to start 🙂 so can you please tell me pmdo you remember which Wood stain (brand and color)did you use to arhieve that color of the wood I wanna use it for my begginers project and also do you remember what brand of acrylic paint and what’s the name of the color you used for coca cola sign?
Thanks Ivana! I used a custom mix for the stain to match my existing wood floors as close as possible and sadly, I don’t believe I kept that info. Back in those days, I wasn’t a full fledged blogger yet. LOL
But what I did do was take a floor sample into a paint store and requested help on colour matching it. They mixed the tone for me!
How were the stair treads made/treated before you stenciled them? they appear to be of different types of wood, type/color of stain? That you!
Hi Mary!
They were made from solid wood. The picture right under “Sign equipment used” shows them in their natural state. I had added those side pieces because the intent was to add carpet.
Then I stained the stairs after stenciling them.
Hope that helps!