Back Hallway and Stairs: Before and After(ish).

I want to show you the progress we've made in the back hallway. When we started, this was one of the most horrific areas of the house. It still isn't done, but it's sssoooooooo much better!

We eliminated an awkward door (above on the left) and bumped out the exterior wall (below, thanks Tony and Uncle Jay!), and in its place created a laundry nook.

We also used grasscloth to add texture and warmth to the walls. The hardwood floors have transformed the house, and it's no different in this area. I cannot over emphasize the impact bright white moldings have had on this space. Backdoor = chalkboard = most fun part of the house!

The area isn't done. Soon we'll add a folding counter over the laundry machines. Once that's installed I'll create a fabric skirt to hide the harsh machines.

Also, we plan on creating an ever evolving gallery of images from our travels and adventures in the stairway. Accessories such as a rug, chalk on a bright string and natural sea sponge will finish off the space.

Thanks for visiting today! I love sharing bits of this little house with you, and involving you in the process of turning our house into a home.

The Difference A Day Can Make: The Staircase.

Remember yesterday when my stairway looked like this?

Those days are gone! My paper hangers are my new favorite ladies, thanks to the grasscloth they installed that completed transformed the space. I couldn't even wait three minutes after they left to get two coats of white paint on the wood paneling. The difference is drastic and beautiful!

Today I'm off to get new treads for the stairs, more paint, and a fresh piece of wood to cap off the small wood paneled ledge.

Here are the front runners for stair color combinations: medium blue with a deeper blue stripe, hunter green with a kelly green stripe, or navy blue with a medium gray stripe. I want to keep the paint dark so it doesn't show dirt or scuffs. The stripe (similar to this) will add visual interest and inject a bit of energy into what could become a dark corner of the house.

Isn't it just amazing what paper and fresh paint alone can do!

Email me at heidi.atlsdesign@gmail.com if you want help making some easy changes in your home that will make a big difference! I'd love to work with you to create the home of your dreams.

Staircase Inspiration.

In honor of Halloween, I thought I'd share a creepy corner of the house...

This is the stairway down to the basement and it's one of the first things you see when you enter through the garage. No joke, it looks like something out of a scary movie. Luckily it won't look like this for much longer.

It is being papered in this (see more grass cloth here)...

And then I want to install new treads

and paint paint paint until they look a little more like this...

or this...

or this.

And to top it off, I've decided this is going to be one big gallery wall/ stairway. My plan is to display travel pictures from all of our adventures and let the gallery grow over the years, the more exotic it becomes, the better! Love what's happening on this staircase.

Slightly ambitious given the current state of the stairs, but why not dream big if I'm going to be dreaming, right? And fresh paint cures a world of worries so I should have those stairs looking much better in no time. I'll keep you updated on the progress.

Until then, do you have any fun/inexpensive ideas for hopeless stairs? I'd love to hear! I'm kind of desperate!