Before & After: Step Up, The Marimekko Edition
If you’re going to go bold, go bold. Claire took her old beige staircase and turned it into a spunky, funky and printed space that greets you as soon as you walk in the door.
From Claire: The first thing you used to see when you opened my front door was some steep victorian stairs crying out for a transformation. I got rid of the boring beige carpet that was just a dust and dirt magnet and brightened them up with a touch of Marimekko. Every time I open the front now, I can’t help but smile at my lovely cheery stairs.
To achieve this look I got rid of the carpet, stripped the treads of paint. Sanded them back to the original wood and then varnished them. I wallpapered the risers with Marimekko Unikko wallpaper before covering it in a protective layer of varnish. The banisters were given a fresh coat of paint and the handrail painted in a deep blue to match the steps. Not only do the stairs look so much fresher and brighter now, they are easier to clean.
I know that the Marimekko print is a bit bold for some people’s taste but my family and I love it! The Unikko print is their most famous and was originally designed in 1964, so it’s definitely a classic. This isn’t the first time I’ve used Marimekko in my house, I love to use their prints in my up-cycles and crafts.
Thank you, Claire! You can see more on Claire’s blog Pillarboxblue.