DIY Project Parade and a Stairwell Landing Makeover using what we have.

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Inspired by Shoshana earlier this week, I decided to do an accent wall at the top of our stairs. My decision was that quick and crazy. I bought NOTHING for this makeover. Leftover paint, supplies, and decorative accessories we already had on hand (+ the felted reindeer head, rug and clock I got for Christmas). Before was boring. {Check out that brass and faux-oak light – niiiiiiiice, huh? Good-bye!}

I had a little patching to do first from previous nail holes and a plaster wall boo-boo. Fill (it’s pink when wet/white when dry), dry, lightly sand. 

I cut out a diamond shaped stencil from posterboard and using a pencil, lightly traced the pattern on the wall.

I taped off the pattern with Frog tape. Cutting tape at an angle made for easier taping in the corners of the diamond.

Important:  use a credit card and rub all over the tape to make sure it’s all stuck to the wall for a crisp clean paint line. Otherwise paint will seep under the edges.

My original plan was for the pattern to turn out like this (just solid diamonds). More of the original wall color would show through this way…

but I with taping, I decided to go with this pattern (more like a large diamond trellis)…

Original wall color {BM Smokey Taupe} is behind the tape. Top wall color (paint I’m using) is Glidden “Linen”.

I did two coats and peeled off the tape immediately after the second coat, while the paint was still wet. Touch up paint as needed. I’m not a perfectionist, so I didn’t bother but I doubt you’ll see anything noticeable in the after pictures.

Take a look at the before of the small landing one more time:

And now the stairwell landing reveal…

I’m thinking of adding more stencils/pattern/design to the accent wall {thinking. thinking.} but for now it’s a big improvement and fun compared to the boring before. At least I think so. Maybe a little crazy – but doesn’t it look so much better? Maybe that window needs a little Krylon Looking Glass treatment or photos or scrapbook paper or something fun.

{original hardwood floors upstairs need redone…please ignore those}

Old corner table before and after.There might be more coming with the corner table makeover too – I can’t just leave well enough alone and I ran out of the mustard paint color so it’s just a quick DIY that needs another coat…

I gave the actual stairs a makeover in the past {here}. Here’s a look at what we started with four years ago after we removed really gross carpet:

then I filled those gouges and repainted the risers…

Now the risers need freshened up because now they’re all scuffed – maybe another creative DIY. I’d also love to do wainscoting on the wall going up the stairs, a photo gallery (can you have too many of those?) and a little DIY on the light fixture. One project leads to more!  A DIY girl’s work is never done. ;)

What do you think?

Let’s see what you’ve been up to!

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140 thoughts on “DIY Project Parade and a Stairwell Landing Makeover using what we have.”

  3. WOW. It looks beautiful, Roeshel. Love the splashes of yellow. It looks so much brighter too! (I need that light fixture for my kitchen makeover! It’s the perfect style and shape.)

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    • Thanks, Jami! The light fixture is something we had for the kitchen but changed our mind. I’ve lost the globe and other pieces but I love it without all the parts too. I just shared a link to your home for hallway inspiration – I LOVE your hallway. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)

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    • Thanks, Sarah! I do love those pricey stencils but you’re right – I’m just as happy with how my free stencil turned out too! Not spending anything for this small makeover was the best part! :)

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    • Thanks, Sunday! Redoing the stairs will be worth it! I have to redo mine too…all scuffed up now. Maybe something fun? Remind me to check it out when you’re done. I’d love to see the transformation!

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  6. Pingback: A Sunday Afternoon » Blog Archive » Super Cute Vintage Radio

  8. Roeshel – your staircase landing is just beautiful! The diamond wall is my favorite part. The colors are perfect and your other decor finishes the look wonderfully. Really lovely!

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    • Thanks, Suzanne! I’m happy with the colors on the diamond accent wall too. I have so much leftover paint – it was almost aqua! haha! Unfortunately the tone just wasn’t what I wanted so “linen” it was and I’m glad. Definitely more our style and I love how it goes with the mustard/yellow. :)

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    • Thanks, Debora. It’s actually a light fixture we had in the kitchen but then changed our mind, so it’s been sitting in the basement for a year. It’s this one (although I know we got it cheaper so search the name: http://www.wayfair.com/Sea-Gull-Lighting-Sebring-Outdoor-Flush-Mount-in-Weathered-Copper-8869-44-GX3391.html?refid=FR49-GX3391). And as you can tell, I’ve misplaced the globe and other pieces…oops! But I do love it the way it is too (until I locate missing parts). lol!

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      • Thanks for such a quick reply Roechel, and thanx for the link to that light…I love it. At first I thought you took an old colander or something similar and flipped it to make your own light.
        Keep doing what you are doing….I always look forward to your next projects and idea.
        Debbie.

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          • Thanks, Debora! And old colander would be awesome too and so easy! I didn’t have to put much thought into it since I already had this on hand (other than ‘where is it’ and still looking for the globe!). Buying one of those generic light bases + a colander is so clever! And no problem – my name rarely gets spelled correctly…probably why my family just writes “Shelly”! haha!

  14. I love the pops of yellow and the much needed character! I wish I had a space like that to do something fun. I have teeny tiny stairwells that don’t leave any space! I may do something with my little “hallway”.. .but it’s more like a rectangle with four doors on it – leading from our dining room to the bathroom and two bedrooms. It’s really need something since it hasn’t been touched by me in the four years I’ve lived here and the previous owner would touch up her white flat painted walls with semi-gloss white paint or vice versa. WTH?! Who does that?! Can she not see the shiny spots she creates?!?!

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    • Thanks, Megan! I always wonder if someone else had this house if they’d be cursing us as previous owners. lol! But I definitely know what you mean! We’ve scraped layers and layers of painted wallpaper – even off of ceilings! Who does that?!!! Your hallway sounds like a great place to do something fun and different. Your description reminded me of this favorite makeover: http://www.freckledlaundry.com/p/my-home.html. I LOVE Jami’s hallway. Make sure you share what you end up doing…I’d love to see it!

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  15. Oh how cute! And definitely not boring any more. I bet you take your time on the stairs now – so much to enjoy along the way! … Thanks for hosting!

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    • Thanks, Sharon! Even Mr. DIY likes it…score! Not boring, but a little different than what we’re used to so I was worried. I’m so glad it worked out! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  22. Wow! That landing looks amazing! And also, being me, I’m digging that dresser at the top of the stairs.
    Thanks very much for the link party. Have a great week.

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    • Thanks, David! That old dresser got a makeover a couple of years ago (my husband’s baby dresser). Then, adding labels was a fun touch for a husband who never knows where I hide bathroom supplies. ;)

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  26. Thanks, Rosemary! Not our usual ‘safe pattern’ but I do love the result – it’s about as crazy as we’re bound to get around here! haha! Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! :)

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  28. Wow, your stairwell looks great. It’s amazing what a difference a little paint can make. I love your stencil tape project, adds such a wow factor. Oh, and thanks for hosting the party! :)

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  29. Your wall looks amazing! I am sitting here thinking “Do I have a wall I could do this too?” Followed by “Do I have enough patience to tape that kind of design?” LOL I think the answer may be no! Thanks for hosting! Have a great week!

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  31. Hi Roeshel -
    What a nice update – WOW – lots of taping, but worth the result you achieved. The power of paint is pretty AMAZING! The yellow pop just makes the whole staircase landing come together. Fun, new decorative accessories always help, too. :)

    I always find so much inspiration in your link party every week – love the big thumbnails, too -it is my favorite party to check out.
    My best- Diane

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks, Diane! It was a lot of taping – definitely not a project I’d want to take on for a huge wall!

      I’m so glad you stopped by! I did change things up a little so that the thumbnails could be larger/stretch across the page better. Glad you noticed and like it! Have a great day!

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  33. GORG!!!! I love it all! How did you hang your old window. I have a few antique windows needing to be hung but I don’t want the wire showing at the top, any advice?

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  34. I love the way it turned out. I never seem to have that kind of luck with painters tape :( . But after seeing this I might have to give it another try! Just Beautiful!

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  43. Roeshel! This is gorgeous! You’ve done an amazing job. Love the diamonds on the wall – you’re the smartest one! I’ve always known that! :) The little yellow table is just darling!
    Thank you so much for always hosting your inspiring party.
    Be a swetie,
    Shelia ;)

    Reply ↓

  45. What? That is awesome! Have the people at Frog Tape seen this?? Im gonna have to tweet them…you should post this on their FB wall…I’m painting a diamond checkered pattern on my kitchen floor soon…so this is very helpful…

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  46. I love so many things about this — aside from the fantastic paint treatment on the wall! That frame with the animal head . . . well that is just amazing! How did you do that? What is it made of . . . that just made me smile!

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  48. Another gorgeous and inspiring DIY crusade, Roeshel. Love the yellow, love the DIY stencil, and LOVE that adorable owl!

    I linked up a passel of projects, including my kitchen reveal you liked from a while back (don’t know why I never, but I don’t think I ever linked it before??).

    Hope your weekend was fabulous!

    ~Abbie

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  50. You, Madam, have been pinned. I love what you did. It makes me want to go upstairs and explore. Is it weird that your reindeer setup reminds me of Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree?

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  52. Oh Roeshel! You can make a simple landing look like a masterpiece. I love it and it makes me wish I had stairs!!! Love the wall treatment, I’d like to do something like that maybe in my bathrooms. Such a huge impact for a small space. Thanks for coming to my party too :) )

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  55. I LOVED THIS IDEA! It’s so pretty. Great execution on the taping, too.
    It looks absolutely perfect.
    Today, I linked up my tutorial on my DIY Children’s Book with Audio. I made these for everyone in my family as Christmas gifts. I thought it would be fun to show you how I did it, so you can too! Have a great week!
    Rebekah-www.potholesandpantyhose.com

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  59. This wall is ah-ma-zing!! I have been debating whether or not to buy a stencil to use in my master bedroom, but after seeing this (and the wall you linked from Shoshana) I’m thinking I could make my own. But seriously, the patience that is required! It looks great, I’m sure you’re enjoying it every time you walk upstairs :) Thanks for hosting the party!

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  74. I adore what you have done! That paint and pattern adds so much to your space – and I really like the addition of the adorable mustard colored table. Cheerful!

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  77. Pingback: I’m SO excited! | DIY Show Off

  78. Congratulations! on winning the Cottages & Bungalows feature! I can’t wait to see your beautiful stairway and landing in print! It was really cool to be in the running along with you and many other talented women. I wish you the best!!!
    Pam

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  82. Oh my gosh, I love this! It’s the perfect solution for my very boring stairwell. I love what you did, it looks so cosy and the yellow table is just perfect. I’d love to pin it for future reference if you don’t mind.

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  83. Looks amazing! How did you hang the window? I bought a couple of old windows from a thrift store for $5 and have been trying to figure out the best way to hang them on the wall. I’m afraid they’re pretty heavy for drywall alone… would love to know how you did it!

    Thanks!

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  86. Hi there, I love your make over! The colors are great and I love the styling.
    The light fixture is exactly what I’m looking for for my own make over. Where is it from?

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  88. What a fabulous makeover! The walls look wonderful and the yellow is such a fun addition. I wish Santa would have brought me that sweet clock – any idea where it came from? Can’t wait to see your next project.

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    • Thanks, Melinda! The clock came from WUSLU.com. You have to join and get the daily specials (the clock isn’t available right now but sometimes things come back). Although warning: Daily emails of beautiful/fun things to buy is dangerous to you budget and wallet! ;) At least that’s what I Santa said when I forwarded him my wish list! ;)

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  90. I can’t remember if I already left a comment on this post telling you how much I love your stairwell makeover because I’ve been back several times to look at it! Love it. I mentioned it on my blog today because I think my readers will like it, too.

    Thanks for the inspiration, Roeshel! :)

    Reply ↓

  91. Pingback: Non-IKEA slipcover: The DIY SHOWOFF slipcover review | Comfort Works Blog

  92. Julia, thank you so much for the mention! I actually just came across your comment today (so strange that I didn’t see it asap) but I did see that some traffic was coming over from your site. Thank you sooo much! I’m so excited and honored!!!

    Reply ↓

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