Having a neighbor who is just as much into DIY as yourself and who lives in a house just exactly like yours is the best. K and I discuss projects, lend each other tools and materials and we run back and forth checking out progress in each other’s houses all the time.
K stained her handrails which totally inspired me to switch from the orangey pine to something richer. I was a little apprehensive though because I didn’t want to have to sand every bit of the old varnish off but it turned out that she had bought a product that stains and simultaneously varnishes on top of old varnish. Her handrails turned out great and when she offered me some of that varnish I happily accepted and went on a varnishing spree and did all of mine in one fell swoop.
All it took was a light sanding to key the old varnish and then it was just a matter of brushing it on.
So from this…
… to this was a vast improvement. Now I just have to fix those treads. I had to wait until the skylights were fixed until I could work on them because my guys had to go up and down a lot and it seemed silly to do anything before they were done. When I’m done painting the radiators upstairs (ran out of paint on Sunday) I’ll order the sisal that will cover the faux pine step kit that the previous owners installed. Excited (and a bit nervous) to see what it will look like when it’s done.
As for the darker, no longer orange handrails, I love them.
The darker looks sooo much better! And I can't wait to see how the stairs turn out. Fabulous!
Posted by: Suzanne | September 26, 2012 at 07:13 AM
I had assumed I would not like the stain, but I love it. It looks really good.
Posted by: Leena | September 26, 2012 at 07:59 AM
looks great! how nice to have someone else working on the same things. wishing you sisal-luck. x
Posted by: elisa | September 26, 2012 at 08:39 AM
Wow! A beautiful colour! Would this work for your stairs to the basement as well? (I think you mentioned you wanted to fix those steps.)
Posted by: T | September 26, 2012 at 09:34 AM
Having lovely neighbours is the best: you were clearly meant to live in that house!! x
Posted by: Nicola | September 26, 2012 at 09:34 AM
Did you happen to notice that we have the exact same kind of orange handrail? I've often wondered how much work it would take to make them look nicer, and now I know. Please oh please, what's the name of that stain/varnish?
Posted by: Judith | September 26, 2012 at 09:47 AM
I returned the can (I only used about a centimeter's worth for all my handrails so a can will last you forever!)but I think it was Herdins Lackbets Aqua http://www.herdins.se/bets/vara-betser__81 in the brown shade. I'll double check with K and let you know if it wasn't!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 26, 2012 at 10:37 AM
That would be so nice, thanks! Meanwhile I'll look into the Herdins. That shiny, orange, sauna/70s summer house look is really not the best :/
Posted by: Judith | September 26, 2012 at 11:11 AM
It might work but I'd have to sand them all the way down first because they're so worn. Not sure I'm up for that job, it's so much easier to fill and paint...
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 26, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Skitsnyggt! Nu vill jag fixa våra också ;) Måste bara säga att ni är de mest inspirerande grannar man kan ha, båda två! Tänker ofta på det <3
Posted by: Sarah | September 26, 2012 at 11:59 AM
It was Herdins Lackbets Aqua!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 26, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Du är gullig du :)
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 26, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Yay, thanks!
Posted by: Judith | September 26, 2012 at 01:09 PM
Very nice! The new color also hides the transition from the "bent elbow" portion of the handrail to the straight piece. In the "before" photos they looked different colors.
What is the small button above the handrail? Is it a light switch?
Posted by: Linda G | September 26, 2012 at 02:34 PM
It is!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 26, 2012 at 02:47 PM
Very nice job. BTW, what is that button thing on the wall above the handrail? Light switch?
Posted by: Kathleen | September 26, 2012 at 03:09 PM
So much better. I did something similar with pine treads that lead to our playroom. Minimal sanding and two coats of varnish brushed on made them match the hardwood colour we have on our main floor. I really like the rich warm wood tone.
Posted by: Giulia | September 26, 2012 at 04:12 PM
The darker is so much better! It really moves the space up into the current decade! I also very much like the painted wallpaper as background for your 'new' handrail. It really is so much better to have that texture rather than just flat wall. And thanks to Neighbor K for sharing so that we can all enjoy the improvement!
Posted by: Peggy | September 26, 2012 at 05:40 PM
I have to say, I don't know how you do so much. You really amaze me.
Posted by: Shana | September 27, 2012 at 04:55 AM