Hi Everyone,
So much to discuss, but for today, it’s all about the surprise that I’ve been hinting at.
The staircase railings are back and installed!
And yes, ladies, the cute young guys were back! ;]
Wait, Laurel! I thought you were routing the stairs to make the footings flush with the steps.
Yes, we were going to do that, but when they brought the guardrail back in, I realized it wasn’t going to make a significant difference. It was expensive, time-consuming, and not worth creating another dustbowl. The new footings look so much better!
However, poor Jerry (the steel guy). It’s been one thing after another with this baby, and none of it is under his control.
The thing about steel, unlike wood, is unless it screws on, you can’t just pop it off or trim it a little.
So, we discovered that the living room floor is also a little uneven, and that required more adjustments.
The other piece of news is that my first born, Cale Israel arrived at about 4:30 today.
He left at 6:45 to go play a wedding gig here in Boston, so he’s out for the evening. However, he hadn’t seen anything from the renovation since December. I may have sent him an image on occasion, but not much, and nothing recently. He likes to be surprised. It was so much fun showing him around.
While my video missed the first earth-moving WOW, you’ll get to hear plenty of Son-one’s first impressions (along with a few F-bombs). Yes, this IS reality. Sorry, there is no videographer, so you’re stuck with me holding my phone, which is frequently not pointed at what we’re looking at. haha However, there will be plenty of images and a few nice surprises in the background.
Okay, let’s look at the photos I took after the staircase railings installation on Friday.
As I said to Cale, they aren’t finished. Some adjustments need to be made, and the screws you see sticking out are only temporary.
Let’s begin upstairs with the new guardrail. Months ago, I thought maybe I’d like a gold or brass handrail along with the top of the guardrail. However, I wasn’t sure. So, I figured we’d do black, and I could change it if I liked.
We’ll talk a little more about the guardrail in a bit.
That’s because we’re looking at it in isolation, not as it will be when the room is furnished. It’s important to remember that if you’re doing a room a little bit at a time, it’s very helpful to have a master plan.
This is what Cale saw when he walked through the lower entry door.
We came around the stair rail, and now we’re looking at the linen closet, where the last piece of panel moulding was installed this week.
Jerry Kenneally, the creator of the staircase railings pointed out to me he thought the handrail stuck out too far. I agreed. Then, at the top of the staircase, it doesn’t stick out enough if you scroll back up, you’ll see that it’s hidden. By the way, the depth perception is so distorted in many of these images. The staircase is only three feet wide.
A close-up of a rosette we got at King Metals. These were not expensive. We needed to get 40 of them. These are reasonably priced.
Remember the real HIDDEN door from last January/February?
Big Dif now!
The understairs hidden doors that Eugene built while Brendan was on vacation. In case you’re wondering, that is why he gave me his phone number. lol
Cale was genuinely impressed.
These doors used hidden hinges, not center-hung pivot hinges like the entry, so we had to build a platform. In essence, this is like a big inset kitchen door. The trick is that the stile overlaps the right side door slightly, giving the illusion that it’s a paneled wall, not a door.
While I love the green walls, I went with my original color scheme, similar to the one below. The screen will be upstairs.
The wainscoting will be white for now, and the doors will be a tad more blue. I adore the colors in this mural.
A bench would look great in front of the hidden doors. However, I might put the narrow console table (below) I got last year in front of the mural.
Cale and I were sitting on the old green sofa in the living room. It was uncovered and in the middle of the room facing the new staircase guardrail. He said, “Mom, I have to be honest. I’m not totally loving the railing. Except for the fireplace insert, there’s no other black in the room.”
My mother would say that “he learned that through osmosis.” haha.
I said I know what you mean. I’m not totally wild about the guardrail either, as it is. However, there will be a lot more black and a lot of dark, rich colors. After I pointed all of them out, Cale began to see the thinking. Still, I decided to do a rendering. By the way, I adore the staircase railing. The guardrail has always been the “problem child.” Remember? It either looked like a cage or a jury box, or it wasn’t code compliant.
Although, it helps to consider what it WAS.
EEGADS!!!
It still boggles the mind why anyone would do this to this grand old lady!
Much better!
The view above is also not one would ever have because I was leaning with my back against the fireplace mantel. However, it will give an idea of the balance of colors.
So, I placed some furnishings in the room and added a deep color (maybe Farrow & Ball Downpipe) in the vestibule with the new BLACK Chinoiserie cabinet.
You want to know why the sofa is off-center?
Well, it’s not off-center; the staircase guardrail is off-center. However, that can’t be helped. We’re lucky we could get the staircase in at all! Plus, the sofa relates to the fireplace mantel, not the staircase railing.
Although it’s mostly covered up, I also changed the handrail to antique gold to coordinate with the rosettes. I think it softens everything a bit and will be better.
Finally, there’s a new chandelier from this source in Milwaukee, WI.
While I still adore the Egyptian glass chandelier, it’s too much of a statement piece.
It’s too much with everything else going on. So, I’m using some restraint and going with an elegant neo-classical alabaster bowl chandelier. Plus, I’ll save about $5,000! I would love to put the same piece in the den. You can customize these pieces, too.
Many rooms suffer from too many pairs. However, my room so far, has too many single elements. So, from the dining table facing in, one can see both chandeliers, and I think it’ll be very lovely.
The opposite view with the Egyptian chandelier.
Below is a better version of the staircase view with a George Smith Jules sofa in a rich teal velvet.
This is it!
In closing, I really did vacuum up two cups of dust from downstairs. It is much better now.
As mentioned in the video, Cale has set himself up in my old/new bedroom. He took the mattress from the sleep sofa. I’m so happy, and he can have a little privacy.
In other news, the new painter, Chris, is starting on Monday bright and early. I’m so excited.
More about that hopefully, Monday evening or early Tuesday.
xo,
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Related Posts
May Day 2024 – The Embrasure Doors are Fully Installed!- The Staircase Railing Mock-up is a Failure + Answers to Your Questions
- The Bright Light at the End of the Renovation Tunnel
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- Today, the Building Contractors Needed Everything Yesterday!
- The New Staircase Is Going In! – This is What It Took
- Laurel Home is in the New York Times! + Vestibule Cabinet Design!
48 Responses
Does this mean you accrued the George Smith sofa (you surely deserve it)!
Hi Toni,
Not quite yet, but soon, hopefully.
Gloria, are you using a browser with an ad-blocker? That’s likely why you don’t see the video at all. When I’m here using the Brave browser I don’t see any videos either: if I want to watch them I switch to Firefox.
Laurel, I can imagine the satisfaction of seeing all this coming together! You are so right that the spiral staircase felt like an insult to the house…
I must be overlooking something because I can’t find the video. Can someone please direct me. Thanks!
Dear lady, you will have to make a video explaining all the little details that your design has produced! It looks like so beautiful, put together and elegant. Even if it is 2 hours long, I want to see it all!
Your attention to detail has paid off! The railing looks great! What an improvement! I’m enjoying all the improvements 🙂
This is just incredible. The length and complexity of your renovation is a testimony to the sheer grit that it takes to constructively deal with setback after setback, decisions that cannot be made very much in advance, and blatant incompetence. I am inspired to continue my own long renovation journey with the same grit, and thank you for taking us along for the ride. I have learned so much, and have excitedly opened every update as if it was my own house! How did you do that?? Congratulations and good luck in getting to the finish line!!
Congratulations, Laurel! You have done a magnificent job. Every choice, every decision, all perfect!
We just went through a total kitchen remodel & couldn’t think about anything else for 6+ months (actually more like 12 months including planning), so I understand. Seems like your project is getting close to completion and that’s exciting!
All good, but I am really, really looking forward to getting your “regular” blog on interior design issues again!
Do think you should have gone with brass for the railing cap instead of black.
It makes sense of the brass rosettes.
Hi Mervin,
Yes, it does make sense. However, doing black gives more flexibility over the end finish. If it’s brass, that’s it. Also, brass would’ve added about $3,000 to the price. Plus, new brass still has to get aged or it will not look so great.
I love the details of your new railing, especially the Greek key design upstairs. I also like the gold railing in your rendering to relate to the gold rosettes. And that new chandelier you chose is perfect. I love the understated elegance of your place and yet it’s also a comfortable home – not fussy at all! You ARE a genius, Laurel!
Just “WOW!” Your new stair rail is SO GORGEOUS!!!! Will you share your Milwaukee lighting source? It all looks so beautiful.
Hi Kate,
It’s in the post but in a headline, without naming the store, so easy to miss. Sorry about that. It’s Brass Light Gallery.
My favorite comment (to tag onto KarenfromPhilly’s response) is from Cale about your genius. As a mom of a son about his age, that’s damn high praise (and very accurate!).
The stair rail is beautiful and things are finally coming together. Just like childbirth, the pain will be forgotten when you are living with all the wonderful renovations you’ve made.
Just curious: you mention son number one, Cale, often but I don’t recall son number two ever making an appearance in mention or in a photo. Where is he?
You’ve worked so hard to realize your dream and are so close to being able to enjoy it without the chaos of remodeling. Congratulations!
I wrote about a little about son-two here.
Aaron has special needs, and that is all I feel is appropriate to say on the Internet.
There’s not one speck of your home I don’t adore!
“Mom, you’re an f’in genius”
Mic Drop
That was fun! And yes, you ARE a genius! So exciting seeing all of the hard work and painstaking attention to detail come together. Beautiful!
Yes, please, extend the hand-rail at the top of the stairs for a perfect finish, and shorten at the bottom. How much fun this is for us to watch, even with the occasional heart-break along the way.
Can’t wait to see new pics after painting and decorating are done. Your whole renovating experience should be in a book. Hard to tell but I think that if the upstairs handrail stuck out more it would help to balance whatever you put in front of the new railing (opposite the fireplace). Do they have to take the whole thing off to fix that (and the downstairs end that is too long)? Love the new chandelier you’ve chosen – been looking at something similar for my dining room (but much less expensive (i.e., cheaper LOL).
Love the new staircase…it is amazing. I also love your idea of the gold handrail which lightens the look of the staircase and adds a bit of romance. You must be thrilled!
Absolutely stunning, Laurel! Both your staircase and Cale🙂. Enjoy your visit and your fresh start tomorrow to the finish line.
Chris? Huzzah!
As for the railing, yes one needs to be shorter and the other longer…and the top handrail needs brass, to pick up and repeat the rosettes and unify…but what do I know, except Chris is absolutely the right person. Give him my best!
It all is looking so amazing and you are so close to the BIG REVEAL
Masterful fine-tuning (top rail colour, alabaster bowl chandelier, only two throw cushions) to achieve balance.An ensemble of beautiful, harmonious elements that provide much visual interest. There are so many delights in this Faberge Egg. I have bookmarked today’s post to revisit it. Thanks for sharing your home with us. Btw, I love the sofa but was surprised by the track arms. Is this a new direction or simply the best image you could find for your board?
Hi Randy,
Thanks so much! Yes, the sofa was the best perspective I could find without spending hours looking.
Absolutely gorgeous!! What a stunning renovation, and it’s not even finished! That staircase truly makes your house a masterpiece.
WOW!!!
The staircase is a stunning transformation. Well Done!
Your home is weeping with joy that you saved and transformed it!
A big WOW and a round of applause. The railing transforms the home. So glad you are finally able to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Cale’s response to the embrasure doors is the most appropriate one! So fun to tag along for the tour. It’s been a huge week of progress! I adore the rosettes on the staircase.
Absolutely stunning!
Laurel, I love the stairway and railing. Congratulations on a beautiful job! Your home is simply beautiful and your special touches with the doors and moldings are unsurpassed. Your kitchen is exceptional too. I hope you enjoy it to the max! And thanks for sharing your designs and ideas which I have found both inspiring and useful.
I love the small changes you made, especially the alabaster bowl chandelier over the staircase and the antique gold handrail. The way the two chandeliers now coordinate is fantastic, and the handrail beautifully highlights the color of the rosettes! The photo showing the view from the living room, looking back at the staircase, is stunning. It must be incredibly satisfying to see everything come together so perfectly.Can you please share the source for the alabaster chandelier from Wisconsin?
Hi Donna,
The source is Brass Light Gallery.
thanks for linking King’s Hardware, I have been searching for nice gate hardware. I need locks for baby proofing.
Christine
I have never seen such a gorgeous stairway and railing! Congratulations! It is a so beautiful.
Love the railing of course, but I’m really swooning over the opal essence ceiling, a clear winner!
A designer who gets to put a mark on history and make it her legacy all rolled into one, who could ask for anything more! Congrats!!!
Cheers,
Cindy
Laurel,
Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel! Gorgeous. When I saw your railing, I pictured the door behind it in a high gloss black finish. Amy Howard’s Luxe gloss paint comes to mind.
Pat A.
Iam in awe of that railing ! It is absolutely gorgeous!! Just makes that entire space. I know you must be so happy to finally see this .
Finally you are nearing the end and it is so beautiful . A long journey for sure with some bumps.
I wish you could rescue that poor brownstone near you… the one that was defiled?! You’d be perfect for that undertaking… and you’d get another year with Robert!
Hi Beth,
I’m immensely flattered, but I doubt Robert wants another year with me. haha!
Not only is your home doing the happy dance because it has been so well honored, but the entire building is existentially ecstatic!! It is gorgeous and evolving into your beautiful dream!
I’m so happy for you- you’ve waited so long and it’s finally almost finished! Can’t wait to see the next steps……
Railing looks fantastic. Did it come in one long piece or fabricated on site? Would love to see pictures of installation
Staircase is elegant and gorgeous. Love the Greek key, rosettes, antique gold and lengthening. And the sofa …
The staircase railing is a masterpiece. Some much thought and attention to detail and context. Just gorgeous!