This beautiful stairwell was designed by my friend, Debbie.
Notice the pretty Reggio register and
the striking wainscoting and seagrass runner.
There is an open upstairs landing with a Lantern and skylight.
Here are two unusual stairwells designed by Phoebe Howard.
I like the horizontal planking and light fixture below.
In my friend, Claire’s mid-century beach house, she painted the banister black
and added the zebra runner and an antique French mirror.
Incidentally, it’s a good idea to dress up a honey oak builder’s grade banister by painting it all
black, like Claire did or paint the hand rail black and the spindles white.
When we were renovating our 1950’s beach house, we tore down a wall to open it up.
In this above before photo, there was a door at the bottom of the stairs.
We added a custom banister designed with a modern cottage feel.
What about a runner?
Acanthus and Acorn has a helpful post regarding stair runners here.
I think a striped runner would be in keeping with the coastal theme.
Or seagrass or a tight sisal might be good. What do you think?
Lastly,
here’s a “vintage mid-century” (ha! sorry guys) banister featuring my cute “Arizona”cousins.
Best wishes,
Mary Ann
Participating in White Wednesday at Faded Charm, Wow Us Wednesdays and Good Life Wednesdays
and Transformation Thursdays.
Rene says
March 23, 2011 at 12:33 amOh how pretty! I'm all about the black banister. Cant' paint mine soon enough.
laxsupermom says
March 23, 2011 at 12:54 amLovely pics! I think a striped runner reads "beach." Seagrass is a little too hard on bare feet, and bare feet & beaches are verboten.
Chic Coastal Living says
March 23, 2011 at 1:26 amI love the stairs at your friends house! Oh, how I wish I had stairs in my house….oh well. I also love your's at your beach house!
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
March 23, 2011 at 1:28 amThese are all some beautiful staircases. I want to eventually paint my rails dark and I know it is going to be a daunting task so it had been put off.
La Borda Bleu says
March 23, 2011 at 1:35 amlooks GREAT! wish we had stairs too! xoxo's nancy
The enchanted home says
March 23, 2011 at 1:37 amGorgeous staircases……love your friends, very well done, love the scale, the paneling and the detailing….and that striped runner is a love as well. All beautiful…also I am a huge fan of black banisters..so rich and old world looking!
Cara @ Gardenview Cottage says
March 23, 2011 at 1:38 amIt's so pretty! I love how open and bright it is!
quintessence says
March 23, 2011 at 2:01 amI love all these beautiful staircases! So many options really but Debbie's is really one of the most handsome! That last shot is classic!!
Teresa at Splendid Sass says
March 23, 2011 at 2:06 amMary Ann,
These staircases are beautiful. I love the black and white.
I think a striped runner would be perfect in your sister's house.
Have a great day.
Teresa
xoxo
jvw home says
March 23, 2011 at 2:19 amBeautiful staircases….
I recently added seagrass to our guesthouse staircase and it looks so much better. I've had it in another house too and it stands up well….
I like the striped runners too….either one would be great!
Kat says
March 23, 2011 at 2:23 amWow–all so beautiful! I can't stop "stairing" either! A striped runner–you just can't beat that look in my opinion. (I love Dash and Alberts)
Pamela says
March 23, 2011 at 2:58 amGorgeous staircases!!
I love seagrass runners. I have one on my staircase and it has a small pattern like a diamond on it and I love love it! It is so good for pet stains and wear and tear. Love it.
Love the black painted railings. I just hate those oak builders special railings.
A Vintage Vine says
March 23, 2011 at 3:24 amI have been wondering what to do with my banister. It is oak and I hate it…now I know what to do….I am so painting it! Thanks Mary Ann. BTW, your stairwell is GORGEOUS!
Nancy says
March 23, 2011 at 3:43 amI loved each of these and would have a very hard time choosing- although I am pretty partial to yours! 🙂 The black railing with white spindles was very striking – very clean!!!
Hmm… I love stripes and I bet it would look wonderful on a runner for your stairs.
Pink Martini says
March 23, 2011 at 4:21 amIt's beautiful. I've been wanting to redo ours for years but it keeps getting pushed down the list. I've thought about painting the railings black and the posts white (currently all is 80's oak and I'm not an oak person). I should really do that. I think I'm going to! Thanks so much for the inspiration! Love, love, love the zebra carpet.
Marilyn
debbie says
March 23, 2011 at 4:43 amReally great photos and very inspirational. I wish I had seen this when I was designing the staircase. It took weeks of planning to get all the levels right…
The sea grass does wear down and becomes softer on the bare feet and it is impervious to stains.
Really love your staircase and how open it made the hall feel by removing the wall. You were very clever DESIGNING this remodel.
Also love all the wonderful pictures from NY. There is always something fun to see at ABC Carpet and Home.
Donna says
March 23, 2011 at 5:06 amDear Mary Ann,
What gorgeous photos of stairways! I love them! Who ever knew you had so many options? I adore that last photo though–precious!
I'm sorry it's been awhile since I've been by but I've had company since last week and have three busy grandsons crawling and running all over the house right now–plus I have a cold. Don't get to see them but once a year or so.
I haven't gotten to visit near as much as I like.
Hope you are having a great week. Super post!
xo
Donna @ Comin' Home
Sally Lee by the Sea says
March 23, 2011 at 6:01 amI just love your custom stairs…stunning and unique! Hope you're having a delightful week :O)
elizabeth@themustardceiling says
March 23, 2011 at 6:19 amBeautiful staircases, I love the horizontal beadboard with the gallery wall. I think a stripe runner would be gorgeous and beachy.
Tammy@Beatrice Banks says
March 23, 2011 at 11:30 amWhat a beautiful post! Yours turned out gorgeous. Seagrass would be pretty but love how the animal print makes it come alive.
Karen@StrictlySimpleStyle says
March 23, 2011 at 1:15 pmThese are all so beautiful. I have literally done nothing to our staircase. I'll have to bookmark this one for inspiration.
Acanthus and Acorn says
March 23, 2011 at 1:47 pmThank you so much for the mention and link. I share your affection for interesting and beautiful staircases. These examples are fantastic!!! Love the old photo too!
tale of many cities says
March 23, 2011 at 2:04 pmoh i'm so with you sister! i am dying to take down the carpet and update this rental's banister! {trying to figure a way to approach my landlady!} i love the idea of a runner for your stairs! sisal would be lovely.. or the stripes. if you feel the need for color, then go w/ the stripes! or you could do what i would love to here.. paint a runner!!
Hill Country House Girl says
March 23, 2011 at 2:13 pmLove these images. I am inspired to jazz up our stairwell now. I love sisal, but have you thought of one of the runners designed by Annie Selke – not sure of the exact brand name- not Pine Cone Hill, but you are familiar, I am sure. You know – her rug designs! Oh where is my brain? Oh yes – Dash and Albert!! I love those designs done as runners. I also think the idea of painting a runner on the stairs is brilliant. Can't wait to see what you decide. Love this post!
lizziefitz says
March 23, 2011 at 2:26 pmI am drooling! These staircases are so crisp and fresh. zThanks for sharing.
Donna @ dh designs says
March 23, 2011 at 2:30 pmLovely images and I love what you've done with your starircase!
Raspberries and Rose Petals says
March 23, 2011 at 3:18 pmWow! I can't blame you for "stairing!" HA! Beautiful re-do! After 10 years of living in my home, I'm hoping to do a stairway re-do shortly!
Happy White Wednesday!
Lori
classic • casual • home says
March 23, 2011 at 3:31 pmI have been looking at Dash and Albert runners…and some seagrass. I will keep you literally "posted."
Gail Peterson says
March 23, 2011 at 3:35 pmI can't beleive how Fabulous it turned out!
I vote SISAL for the runner, maybe a herringbone!!!
We have the exact before staircase and we are about ready to rip the wall down to expose the stairs too!
Staircases are so dramatic.. any way any style!!
Happy White Wednesday*
xo
Gail
casualloveselegance
Dana {Southern Inspired} says
March 23, 2011 at 3:42 pmLove the contrast of black and white! Gorgeous 🙂
La Dolfina says
March 23, 2011 at 3:50 pmI have stair envy after reading this post of yours… actually I've had it for a long time. I grew up in an old colonial home with a gorgeous staircase but ironically all three of my brothers and I all live in single stories!!!
Go figure?!
I don't think you can go wrong with Dash & Albert or seagrass. It's a win win but still a tough choice. Sorry I missed you while I was in your backyard… hopefully next time!
Did you see my post on Jux.ta.po.si.tion?
I thought of you the whole time I was in there 🙂
xo
Tote says
March 23, 2011 at 5:03 pmWhat beautiful pictures. I love the black idea.
Susan
Simple Dwellings says
March 23, 2011 at 5:28 pmWow- beautiful post! I love the stairway your friend designed and your own! I also agree that a banister looks great painted black! I love both solid color sisal and striped on the stairs! I'm torn. 🙂
Kelle Dame says
March 23, 2011 at 5:41 pmI would take any of these! All of them are so clean and elegant! I don't have a stairway. Unless the one that goes down to the dungeon counts 🙁
Town and Country Gals says
March 23, 2011 at 5:59 pmMary Ann,
So glad you stopped by and became a follower! I love your blog and and am your newest follower also! I spent a lot time in Newport Beach in my 20's and worked at Fashion Island at Coco's (very early 20's), sometimes it's a small world! My family live in Yorba Linda and we head to Newport and Balboa whenever I come out! Love, love the white and dark bannister's! So much better then plain old oak! Especially liked the twist you added to yours. I will be d visiting you often.
Rebecca
Cottage Coastal Store, Inc. says
March 23, 2011 at 7:00 pmWhat a great post…enjoyed all of them – bookmarking this for a future staircase day in our own home! Enjoy the rest of your day!!
Trish @TheOldPostRoad says
March 23, 2011 at 7:42 pmOpening up those stairs was a great idea!!! How smart!
-Trish
Amy R. says
March 23, 2011 at 11:16 pmLove all these designs!
designchic says
March 24, 2011 at 1:20 amGorgeous staircases…love the one with the picture gallery!!
Kathysue says
March 24, 2011 at 2:10 amMary Ann, I love what you designed for your stair rail. I think a simple stripe from Dash and Albert would be amazing for your coastal look. I am with you , I love the black bannister with the white spindles so clean and crisp,Kathysue
Jen@Organized-Design says
March 24, 2011 at 2:27 pmLove these images. They are going into my inspiration folder. Stair ways can really be a work of art for sure!
Ashly@Moon Walk says
March 24, 2011 at 3:01 pmLovely Pics. The stairs looks great!
Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful} says
March 24, 2011 at 4:14 pmDoesn't a great stairway just make any room feel so much more special??? (c: I'm a huge fan of runners for stairs…can't wait to see what you come up with! And I love the "vintage" pic of the cousins, I'm sure they will love that I called it that! (c:
Coastalpines says
March 24, 2011 at 6:09 pmI love your posts ~ and I am DYING over the black banister and zebra runner…
We have a small strip of a banister in our cape that I would love to recreate that look on a smaller scale…
It's going in the inspiration file ~ thank you!
Angie says
March 24, 2011 at 9:12 pmLove your stairs! I'm a bit envious because I took a peak under the carpet of my stairs and found partical board! UGH!! Yours look AMAAAZING!
Ivy @ Remodel Twin Cities says
March 25, 2011 at 4:03 pmPerfect timing… HVAC & electrical guys are in my basement as I write this. I've been looking for stair ideas, and I love these! Thanks for sharing.
Wendi @ Classic Chic Home says
March 25, 2011 at 7:58 pmWhat a wonderful post! These staircases are beautiful. I'm so glad I came across your blog. You'll be going in my 'Daily Reads'!
Hana says
March 25, 2011 at 9:38 pmi always fall for seagrass or sisal on a stairwell. the zebra with the french mirror is so fun though! i'm so glad to find your blog. thanks for visiting mine! xo
Carrie @ Hazardous Design says
March 26, 2011 at 12:14 pmBeautiful staircases. Ours is in need of a drastic update and this post is a great inspiration. You have a lovely blog 🙂
Carol@SofasandSage.com says
March 27, 2011 at 11:53 amHi Maryann, these are gorgeous. What I love most about Claires is the surprise of blue above the light. Stunning! And wow on yours! I love thar you opened it up. I vote for a striped runner. I love seeing what you do. I took a bit of a vacation from reading and commenting so Im catching up and looking forward to being a regular reader again. Have a great Sunday!
radn says
April 9, 2011 at 4:28 amI have that builder grade light colored staircase and hardwood floors. I will paint it dark someday!
Lisa says
May 23, 2011 at 4:15 pmBeautiful inspirations, Mary Ann. I painted the risers on my stairs this winter and am very excited to restain the steps and paint the banisters black. I'm fired up to get started after seeing these beautiful staircases.
Jen of MadeByGirl says
June 2, 2011 at 6:53 pmMy goodness i LOVE that zebra runner, where is t from?????
Ally says
November 28, 2012 at 7:39 pmGlad to have found your blog! Your whole home is just gorgeous, I love it. Very impressive but yet casual and cozy. I'm Ally from Home by Ally. I blog about repurposing furniture, DIY projects, home decor and the life of being a military wife. I hope you stop by soon at http://www.homebyally.blogspot.com and let me know what you think!
XOXO
-Ally from Home by Ally