Whitewashed Stairs and a Foyer Makeover

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While walking through our front door the other day, I tripped over yet another pair of Uggs and just couldn’t take it any longer! I’m sure most of us are tired of our entryways being covered in boots, coats, hats, scarfs, gloves and backpacks.  I spent that morning reorganizing our coat closet to create more space and cleaned out the foyer area.  While deep into my “organize/redecorate” mode, I decided to tackle our stairs.  I had previously whitewashed the treads but after a few years, the wash had worn off in places.

I decided on blue and grey for the risers with a whitewash.  To apply the wash I took a bowl of water and dipped my brush first into the water and then into the (undiluted) paint (AS Old White) and applied the wash over the risers and treads.  Using a soft cloth, I wiped the wash off the blue risers until I had achieved the right look.Stairs2Whitewashed Stairs www.thepainteddrawer.comHere is the foyer now.  It is clean and bright and ready for spring – although it looks so pretty today with the snow coming down outside the front doors.White Washed Stairs www.thepainteddrawer.comWhite Washed Stairs www.thepainteddrawer.comWhitewashed Stairs www.thepainteddrawer.com

The stairs add a pretty pop of blue.  The console table was purchased at HomeGoods, as was the sunburst mirror.  The wall color is Benjamin Moore Linen White.White Washed Stairs www.thepainteddrawer.comWhite Washed Stairs www.thepainteddrawer.comI also added a little thrift store table that I quickly painted white.  It’s perfect for us to throw our keys on and at $5.00 a bargain!  The mirror was also a thrift store score.Foyer www.thepainteddrawer.com

I’m sure that by the end of the day, our foyer will again be a mess of snow pants and hats.  It’s all good as I know in ten years, I will be sorely missing these days!

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  4. The staircase looks gorgeous and singularly unique, as do all your painted pieces, Suzanne. Thank you for sharing.

  6. The stairs are amazing. I have two sets of stairs that are very boring. I think I’m going to have to copy cat you yet again.

    • Hi Laurie, thanks so much! No, I didn’t wax because I didn’t want the treads to be slippery and I don’t mind throwing another wash on them in a few years. The risers are pretty protected and the wash added another layer and they are pretty set. Cheers!

  9. Love the stencil on the steps. It really looks wonderful & no one else will have a staircase like yours. Nice going. Love the color blue you picked. I love Home Goods, I went there yesterday.

    • Thanks Marie! I really will not miss the mess lol! The boots are back in front of the door this morning. Oh, yearning for flip flops!

    • The time consuming part was the stencil. Painting the risers only took me about a 1/2 hour. The stenciling took about one hour and applying the wash and rubbing back took about another. Not too bad but it does hurt the back with all of the bending over! Thanks!

    • Hi Mary, no I didn’t wax as it could be slippery. I don’t mind going over them again with a wash as needed. If you want a more permanent solution, I would poly them. Thanks!

  14. I know I feel this way all the time but honestly, Suzanne, you’ve totally outdone yourself! These stairs are amazing. The whole entry makeover is just stunning.