Beautiful remodel!

Good to know those kind of stairs (seen in many homes built in the 80s) can be remodeled to something more classic and nice. Great job!

Awesome! $500 well spent, congrats :)

Awesome way to spend $500! looks like a million bucks!

Wow, what a major difference!

I hope the spindles are not spaced too far apart for code in case your house ever gets inspected for resale.

It's a beautiful transformation, but I was thinking the same thing re: spacing and code/safety.

I have an identical staircase, with an identical problem, so I think I'll be trying this!!

Amazing transformation!

Wow, impressive both in total cost and the fact you guys did it yourselves. Thanks for sharing.

DEBBIE DOWNER.

I hope no one falls on the stairs and gets paralyzed.

The fact that she mentions they spaced them out means they are not to code and would need to be redone before selling the house. By not spending a few more dollars to buy the correct number of posts, they cost themselves a lot more money in the future when they have to completely redo the banister. People really need to research this stuff before tackling projects on their own.

That is one nice boyfriend!

Hahahaha @Tundra....you made my day!

Looks awesome! Probably opens up the space so much more! If it were me, I wouldn't have added the little swatches of carpet to each stair, but they look removable so maybe it is just temporary.

Makes you wonder why builders/people in general ever thought those half solid walls made for a better looking staircase!

@Tundra - nice one! I laughed even before I had coffee. ;)

I love this redo. I'm curious how you attached the carpet to each step. Is it a Flor type product or did you just epoxy it on? I have been thinking we need carpet on our stairs and this might be a good solution. Any tips for me, Kelly?

We have this exact problem in our new house, thank you for showing me the light at the end of the tunnel/staircase.

BTW, code for spacing for spindles is usually 4" max, if you do need to take that into consideration, for sale or baby-having purposes (more than 4" is how much a small head can get stuck in, I believe). Really, out of all the code issues, I wouldn't stress too much about this one, it's easily fixed if necessary.

Also, just checked out the blog - the one entry on the bathroom remodel is an inspiration in thrifty remodeling!

Amazing! What a wonderful transformation.

As for the spindle spacing, codes are always changing so what's good today might not be good tomorrow. Plus it can be a disclosure in the selling process, and I'm sure it's not a deal breaker to potential buyer. Heck, that banister wouldn't "pass" in San Francisco either but it's really not a big deal.

Did you demo that half wall yourself? I have a similar set up on my stairs and have been afraid to mess with knocking down the half wall on my own without a contractor, afraid I might to more damage to the bits of wall and stairs I'd like to keep.

Lovely and so much better than the before!

Tiny carpet treads on every stair . . . no.

Nice transformation. They did what many did, and made the spindles someone's else problem on resale....though if little kids ever live in their house, they are making it their kid(s)' problem. There are reasons for these codes, folks, as noted in comments above.

Otherwise,nice transformation. Though I'd have sprung for wood rather than melamine on the risers myself were I doing a staircase. And done a carpet runner if I wanted something on the stairs, not individual carpet treads. Not too late to do that one easilyl

Wow! I'm impressed.

Amazing how that half-wall made the space so claustrophobic!

As for carpet bits on each step, I think it's a viable option, and I too would like to know how you attached them? A complete runner would have cost a small fortune, and smaller bits are potentially much easier to clean thoroughly.

Beautiful job on the newell post, too!

Thanks, @Tundra. I live just two blocks from the county line. That county has different codes from my county's. So I guess what's safe here is unsafe there.

I appreciate seeing all the redone staircases that have been posted of late. It makes me really satisfied with my recently refinished stairs. The white risers are so classic, and yours will be so easy to clean!

Eh, codes on stair height and spindle spacing change rapidly. Our 3 year old townhouse is already not to code in that respect, even though it was up to code when it was built. I say do what you gotta do!

It looks great ! What a huge improvement. We sort of have the same project about to start at our house.

Re the bits of carpet, you can buy these stair treads for $10 at Home Depot, and then affix them with carpet tape (http://www.amazon.com/Intertape-9970-Indoor-1-87-Inches-36-Yards/dp/B000I1EHK0).

This is what we did before I got around to buying a runner, since it was cheap and quick and removable. The tape actually holds very well.

I sure hope so too! ;)

Ok just so everyone can settle down about the code. My stairs are abnormally shallow so 2 posts per stair like most pictures would look ridiculous. We bought the correct number of spinals & spaced them out to code. My boyfriend is an engineer who designs interiors for a living. I'm not sure why there is a threat of someone being parilized down these stairs vs. the original ones, but whatever. Comment all you guys want. We are proud of our stairs. We brought 35 yr. old stairs up to code. We don't need 2 railings because the staircase is abnormally narrow as well, but anyway thanks for the concern.

So to address some questions...I added the stair treads ONLY because we have a dog who likes to RUN up & down instead of walk nicely. I didn't want to cover up the stairs too much with a runner. I bought a set of these runners on line & temporarily affixed them with DUCK Removable Liner. It comes in a roll & it works GREAT! We read a lot of reviews on these kind of tapes before buying this one. We didn't want to damage the stair's finish or anything. None of them have ever come off on their own.

We went with melamine because it's easy to clean.

We did demo the wall ourselves, but very carefully. There was some wiring in that short wall that we had to lower a tad. Not saying I recommend doing it yourself, but I trust my boyfriend.

Good luck everyone!! Muah

I'd swell with pride on every ascent if I were in your shoes. The melamine is a great idea! It must add some nice reflective pop to that once dark stairwell.

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Houses do not have to meet "code" requirements in order to be sold or resold. In the unlikely event that an appraiser recognized a "banister code violation" it would simply be noted as having a remediation value against the negotiated value of the home.

But hey, way to bring meaningless pseudo-legal opinions into a discussion about an admirable DIY project. I can't wait to read the website you (know who you are) dedicate to the subject; say - http://www.hyperanalpseudolegalsmugnonsequitorsforthebuiltenvironmentanddesigntherapy.com?

The old looked dark and dreary, and from my experience, those kinds of stairways looked dark and dreary when it was new and in fashion! Well, in fashion for builders, anyway. It's easier making a stud wall, use Douglas Fir for stair treads then covering them up with carpet than making a traditional staircase.

The new is open and inviting and makes the whole area bigger. A very well thought out and well done job, Kelly and boyfriend-who-shall-not-be-named!

BTW, what is under the staircase? Another project perhaps? Niches in the stair wall, Mini closets with extension drawers?

Awesome re-do! And ditto what @nbabylon said. You guys did a great job!

I am "the boyfriend" described. Thank you all for the great feedback. Its nice knowing that Kelly and I aren't the only ones in love with our new staircase.

I am an engineer for a millwork contractor so I am fairly familiar with building code. I see where you guys are questioning the spacing at the spindles and I see why, looking at the pictures I even want to question the spacing. I can assure you it meets current CBC and UBC requirements.

As Kelly described, the carpet pads are for our little dogs paws. It was quite a change for little Tilly to charge up and down the carpeted stairs to the hardwood. They are on a friction type tape that will not leave a residue on the treads when removed but they stay in place nicely.

Thanks again for all the great comments! Now, on to the kitchen re-model....yikes! ;)

@kchaelshe - Thanks for the info on the carpet/treads. That is the exact reason we need to have something on our stairs, too; we have one young, energetic canine gentleman and an older one who is prone to falling on slippery surfaces.

Great info!

Purrfect guys, not only did you fix the ugliness but you made it was easy to clean and for your dog, brilliant

there are thousandsof houses, or more probably, out of code, that get bought and sold every day. It's a negotiation, just like every other house sale item.

Really nice. Seems like these kind of changes really make a house more attractive. Not a fan of the carpet treaders however.

Love the redo and love the classy replies to some negative posts. Well done on both points.

I literally gasped out loud.Amazing transformation,and now I know the reason for the strips it makes them very sweet.

Awesome job! Looks excellent.
Sorry for all the wannabe home inspectors who are crying about codes.