In January, I outlined my 2021 plans for BHH, and the first quarter included the grand staircase restoration and finishing up the street-side entry. The staircase project is full of delicate details and decisions. I have started and stopped numerous times to regroup and fine-tune the plan.
Initially, I thought I would work solely on the balusters, and once they were complete, I would move on to everything else. It’s smart to stick with one thing and see it through. Oh, but these balusters…
Hidden by layers of paint are dozens of screws and nails in the balusters and handrail. Whenever something loosened or became unstable, previous occupants just added another piece of hardware.
Unfortunately, I inherited the result of that solution, and the tops of some of the balusters are nearly shredded from all of the nails and screws.
Each time I try to focus on one aspect of the overall project, a secondary task appears. None of this is atypical for an old house project, but it has made me aware that my first plan will not work.
Instead of working on all of the balusters at once, I am switching to one stair tread at a time.
Each tread includes:
- three balusters
- a piece of trim
- a stair tread return
I will focus on the wall panels one section at a time too. Over the weekend, I dug out a bunch of cracked spackle, revealing a large gap on the first one.
Every wall panel includes,
- paint scraping
- wood filling
- primer
- paint
Don’t even get me started on the Greek key accents. Just promise me that you will never use latex paint over oil without a proper bonding primer. If you learn one thing from me, let it be that.
I feel pretty good about this new direction, but I am tired. I cannot lie. It’s been a long month in a long year, and it is only February 22. Send coffee and spring weather, please.
Now, I have a question for you. Do you prefer long, full updates or short, frequent ones? My most popular posts are always room reveals, but the completed staircase restoration is months away. I am not even going to pretend something different.
29 Comments
Sara
I prefer short frequent updates 🙂
Stacy
Thanks, Sara!
Jennifer
I’m with Sara on the frequent, even if short, updates. I’m here for all the nitty-gritty of the project, not only the big reveals. As someone who never has a problem with spoilers, I don’t see any benefit in holding back content until after a “big reveal.” I think it’s because I first started really following blogs via houseblogs.net (RIP) which was full of the slow-and-steady progress, (or sometimes fits-and-starts progress) rather than a design plan followed some time later by a big reveal.
Stacy
This is really great feedback. I often think that no one is reading blogs anymore, but then again, I need to give them something to read! 🙂
Jessie
I too like frequent updates with progress content! After spending the entire week between Christmas and New Year stripping the peeling oil under latex paint off my damaged bathroom walls, I deeply empathize with your Greek key accent pain.
Stacy
Oh, gosh, you know my pain! LOL I appreciate your comment.
Diana
Definitely short and sweet. You’ll get more clicks from full room reveals but then there’s nothing to follow along with, which is the fun part IMHO. (Learn from my mistakes)
Stacy
Thanks, Diana. This is really helpful.
Downraspberrylane
Frequent! Short or long, no matter. I love being along for the journey.
Stacy
Sounds good. Thank you!
Chris
I’d be entirely content with a picture of a particularly bad balustrade and
Chris
hrm, that didn’t work. AND “incoherent screaming from stage left.”
Stacy
🙂
Jeri Surovy
I prefer more frequent updates. I hate TV FIY shows that cut out so much of the nitty gritty work of a project. And how time consuming it is. I think long term projects also give us time to step away and regroup and not hurry (and therefore not do a great job) thru a project. Only my opinion but you did ask.
Stacy
I did ask, and I appreciate your input.
Kathy
I like long and short format – sorry, can’t choose. The short ones are energizing but the long ones often seem to tackle the really hard emotions that come with trying to do the best for an old house. I feel ya! Hearing that it’s not easy helps me go on with my house just as much as the fun quick posts. Keep it all coming!
Stacy
It’s ok. You don’t have to choose. I appreciate the input. We are in this together!
RZ
As my own projects languish due to all the circumstances, it gives me hope to know that others are struggling along too and making progress! I will read all the small updates and thanks for sharing.
Stacy
Thank you for weighing in on the question. I appreciate it.
Vanessa
Same as everyone else, I like the constant “chatter” that we we’d have if were were living with you. That is the illuminating part anyway.
PS can’t you take the balusters to be dipped instead of doing each one by hand?
Stacy
Thanks, Vanessa. Dip and Strip places are no longer allowed in my area/state (?) due to environmental concerns. I pursued that direction to no avail. However, it might still be allowed in Pennsylvania. This project is too small for the long drive.
Sharon
I am a fan of watching the project unfold from start to finish and then seeing the entire big reveal at the end. This shows the path to the final and reminds me that these projects unfold over time and with many moving parts rather than just *POOF* final room.
I am still a blog reader at heart as I appreciate having them for short breaks throughout my work day.
Thanks for your dedication to this rehabbing and restoration and especially for sharing your process. It is seen and appreciated!
Stacy
Perfect. I am like this too, but I was getting the vibe that people didn’t want to see the “boring parts.” I am glad to know that I am wrong. 🙂 I still really enjoy blogs too.
Stephanie
Love the frequent updates – length doesn’t matter. Maybe it’s because I also have an old home that I have to rehab and upkeep – I’m here to learn. Pretty pictures are great, but all the planning, sweat, and work along the way is much more interesting to me.
Stacy
Thank you, Stephanie. I am glad to have your feedback. After some reflection, I think I wasn’t posting as much because I didn’t want to see how slowly things were progressing. 🙂 I am over that now that I have put a higher priority on writing, regardless of how exciting the updates are.
PAM
Honestly, I miss all the longer blog posts people used to post. I think it’s because I too started following blogs back when that’s how it was done. I think it also allows me as a reader to become more invested in your “journey, ” and I find that to be more satisfying entertainment! Either way, I’ll be a reader! Thank you for sharing!
Stacy
I used to love the long blog posts too, Pam. I will certainly try to offer a mix.
Rebecca Zaliznock
I’m new to your blog and love reading about the staircase! We completed a very similar project in our 165 year old house that we have been renovating for the last 3 years. In fact, the construction of your stairs and ours are almost identical, but our outside stringer is plain….no Greek key design (whew!). The condition of our treads were not salvageable so we had to replace them, and we cut off the dowel peg at the balusters to adjust for the tread thickness difference between new and old treads, and secured them with dowel screws. Our newel post and balusters were stained, so all they needed was freshening with stain and a lacquer finish. Still a big job because there are 65 balusters. Removing latex paint over oil base is a common thing in this house. Tedious job, but we love the end result. Looking forward to seeing your finish project! I’m sure you are too!
Stacy
Welcome, Rebecca! Wow! You sure had a huge project on your hands too. I am excited to complete the staircase restoration here in BHH, and it feels very far away right now. However, I’ll just keep plugging away at it. That’s the only way to get it done, right? 🙂