Up the Down Staircase

Do you know that movie? I've never seen it, but it's my life motto. I'm just an up the down staircase kind of gal.

The thing that I first fell in love with about our house was the staircase. It starts at the back of the house rather than in the foyer and reminds me of older houses with back staircases. It's just charming - and unexpected. I adore our back staircase.

So, when Mr. B mentioned that he was tired of the oak banister - it's the only oak in our house and builder basic oak at that - I agreed with him. Isn't it funny how something can seem fine until it's pointed out, and then it nags at you? And since I wasn't feeling our banister anymore - an integral part of one of my favorite features of our house, I was itching to fix it.

Now, I'm not they type of person to take time to worry about how changing something might turn out. I figured if it looked awful, I could paint the railings white and we'd have an all-white banister. I LOVE painting wood - especially oak. My heart skips a few beats as I watch things go from something that's not me to something I love. I truly dream of the day that Mr. B and I buy a house with oak cabinets with which I can paint white and fall in love. I search the MLS listings for pictures of outdated kitchens so I can photoshop white cabinets, different paint colors, and even layout changes and think about how great a house could be. It's an illness. Really.

So, I grabbed the satin finish white paint we had sitting in the garage and a foam brush and went to town. It took a ton of coats. I probably should have used primer, but we've already discussed my lack of patience.

I wanted a two-toned banister - the more traditional look of white spindles and a wood railing. I love the result. Like, my first love Kyle Chandler of Early Edition in middle school love. And I don't even mind the oak that much because there's less of it. We'll probably end up sanding and staining the railing and posts later on, but for now I like the banister as is. We'll live with it for awhile to see what we think is right.

Casco loves our back staircase, too. It's his favorite place to hang out. Looks comfy, eh?

What do you think of the white spindles? Would you leave the railings as is or stain them a darker walnut shade? Any wood stains you love or hate? I've never stained anything, it's been all paint for this girl, so suggestions are welcome!