Stair railing, part 1

by brae  

When I cut the balcony and the adjacent stair opening, I left enough room to add a stringer.  This completes the look of the baseboard trim up the staircase and addresses the slight warp in the pocket door wall that the stairs follow.

I used 1/16" thick basswood sheet to make the stringer, tracing the outline of the stairs flush with the back and lower front.  I added a little extra to the top to trim the stairs.  I painted the visible part of the stringer Vintage White by Folk Art and the back edge black.

At the base of the stairs, the stringer meets the baseboard trim.  Here the stringer is shown before finishing.

I glued the stringer to the stairs to keep it in place.

The stairs are still removable at this point, because I need to be able to work on the railing and newel posts.  Oh, hello, Ophelia.  :D

The railing supplied with the narrow staircase kit was obviously made for the flat balusters that came with the kit.  The rounded spindles I used instead would not work with the supplied railing since the opening in the bottom of the railing was too narrow.

I bought replacement railing from Manchester Woodworks.  This has a 3/16" groove in the bottom, perfect for the tops of the spindles.  I like the profile of this particular railing, too.  It has a fancier look than the standard railing stock.

I like the look of white spindles with a stained railing, but I wasn't sure if I should match the railing to the stairs or the flooring.  Since the railing will continue around the upstairs balcony, I opted to match the railing to the floor and stained it Minwax English Chestnut.

When I stain or spray paint, I use a rubber glove to hold the piece (or the board with the pieces taped on).  Saves me from soaking up chemicals through my skin and there's no clean-up involved.  :D  These gloves usually last through many applications, so I just set them aside to dry until next time.

I used the kit supplied railing as a guide to make the lower angle cut for the stair railing.

I fit the railing in place, leaving it long for now until I determine the length I need.

It fits perfectly over the angled tops of the spindles.  It's actually just sitting on them without any glue or wax.  :D  As hoped, the imperfections near the tops of the spindles are no longer noticeable with the railing in place.

Next, I need to determine what type of lower newel post to use in the foyer.  This first one is a Houseworks rounded newel post.  It does follow the rounded form of the spindles to a certain extent, but I'm not sure I like it.  It seems too dollhouse-like.

The second one is the square newel post that came with the narrow stairs kit.  I like it because of its heavy visual weight.  It also seems more appropriate for the general décor.

Thoughts?  :D

Whichever one I choose, I will stain it English Chestnut to match the floor and railing.  I think painting it Vintage White would make it stand out too much since it is a sizeable piece.

The cameos that will hang in the stairway are pendants from Fairy Tale Fantasies.  One is a retro kitty and the other a beautiful vintage lady.  I cut the loops from the tops to use them as framed art.  I love their ghostly appearance.

14 comments

Comment from: Lyssa [Visitor]
Beautiful. :) Stairs are a pain and you pulled yours off effortlessly! Or at least, it appears that way. &#59;) I like the second post. The first one DOES seem dollhousey.
09/26/12 @ 21:27
Comment from: April [Visitor]
Those cameos fit in really nicely. The kitty is pretty neat too, haven't seen one like that before. I vote the 2nd post, the first one seems too bulky? I don't know...it seems off somehow. The posts in my actual house are square like that, and then the spindles are rounded, so maybe I'm just used to seeing it like that.
09/26/12 @ 21:32
Comment from: Carol [Visitor]
Beautiful job! I like the 2nd post,too. Like April, my real house has turned spindles with a squared newel (and flat on top for my kitties to sit on) :) You can always add some detail in the flat center part if it looks too plain to you.
09/26/12 @ 21:59
Comment from: Carol [Visitor]
Your idea for having a stained post with white spindles also matches my real stairs. I think that was quite popular in this era house.
09/26/12 @ 22:05
Comment from: Elga [Visitor]
I have painted balusters in my dollhouse with stained newel posts, I am sure I have seen many photos of real staircases like that. It all looks great.
09/27/12 @ 00:38
Comment from: silvia [Visitor]
The stairs are wonderful!!! Congratulations, your work is perfect!
09/27/12 @ 04:08
Comment from: Lucille [Visitor]
I also prefer the second one! Those cameos go very well with your overall decor.
09/27/12 @ 07:12
Comment from: Irene [Visitor]
It's the second post for me too! I really enjoy your details pics.
09/27/12 @ 09:05
Comment from: armymom166 [Visitor]
I think the second post looks perfect. The other one definitely does not look right. Love your work!
09/27/12 @ 18:10
Comment from: dale [Visitor]
oh, what a shame! i just wrote you the most lovely post and it was lost! :( I won't be able to recreate it and awesome! seems so less than what I wanted to say to you. loved the cameos and red door and the hallway wallpaper. I so wish you had seen what I wrote originally, oh, well!
09/27/12 @ 21:40
Comment from: brae [Member]
Thanks for your input! It seems it is unanimous! :yes: Aw, Dale, that is a shame...I hate when that happens. :no:
09/28/12 @ 09:11
Comment from: Rebecca [Visitor]  
You saved me! I have been stalling the build on my orchid because I've been trying to figure out/visualize how to make the railings...This solves all problems!! Thanks!! :) :) (Broccolianddip)
09/28/12 @ 11:23
Comment from: Wyrna [Visitor]
Hello Very nice staircase you have made, nice wallpaper, it fits so well, stairway color and wallpaper gives a very good entirety. Hugs Wyrna
09/29/12 @ 02:18
Comment from: brae [Member]
Glad to help, Rebecca! :D Thank you!
12/14/12 @ 12:20


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