Staircase makeover, 2018
![07 staircase, Lili Giacobino](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c79ea_acf91b5605864d56af573052e228cd24~mv2_d_3072_4608_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1470,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9c79ea_acf91b5605864d56af573052e228cd24~mv2_d_3072_4608_s_4_2.jpg)
Really happy with the final result ! The beautiful banister has been sculpted out of recycled steel from an old crane by talented blacksmith, Kevin Boys.
![01 staircase, Lili Giacobino](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c79ea_d24114bdd25b4ea88d8ec2635f82f23e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_758,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9c79ea_d24114bdd25b4ea88d8ec2635f82f23e~mv2.jpg)
![02 staircase, Lili Giacobino](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c79ea_4d9aaaff8c1843e8915c87c7e44489e0~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9c79ea_4d9aaaff8c1843e8915c87c7e44489e0~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg)
Once your old carpet removed, cut the edge of each treads with a jigsaw. Finish the edges with a chisel.
![03 staircase, Lili Giacobino](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c79ea_bad77328bf3a4775acebade16baa04a7~mv2_d_2888_3856_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1308,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9c79ea_bad77328bf3a4775acebade16baa04a7~mv2_d_2888_3856_s_4_2.jpg)
Cut some 12 mm plywood to fit each riser. Glue and nail in place.
![04 staircase, Lili Giacobino](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c79ea_7917893dffec4c2bab2bfe9a866e2d71~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9c79ea_7917893dffec4c2bab2bfe9a866e2d71~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg)
Fill every hole and dent with wood filler. Once fully dry, sand the whole staircase and prep for paint. Fill every transition and angle with caulk, leave to dry 24h.
![05 staircase, Lili Giacobino](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c79ea_64316b4c72524b53a5ec06eef571818d~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9c79ea_64316b4c72524b53a5ec06eef571818d~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg)
Prime each riser and surround string. Then 2 coats of oil based wood paint ( long lasting and easy to clean), leave 24 h between coats.
![06 staircase, Lili Giacobino](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c79ea_0c55650bf0a54371b4b1757dcfa3fb66~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9c79ea_0c55650bf0a54371b4b1757dcfa3fb66~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg)
Carefully cut some 18mm engineered walnut flooring to fit each tread, add some matching nosing and glue in position. Once the whole staircase is done, lightly sand the wood and give it 2 coats of clear oil. Then stick some tape onto wood to protect it, caulk every edge and give a last coat of wood paint around each tread (also to cover any glue or stain that might have end up there by accident).
![08 staircase, Lili Giacobino, before-after](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c79ea_e5d69fc4faa146a1b331eaa598c116a9~mv2_d_2914_2185_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9c79ea_e5d69fc4faa146a1b331eaa598c116a9~mv2_d_2914_2185_s_2.jpg)