If you’ve been following along, then you already know how excited I’ve been to give my staircase a fresh new look—and it finally happened! Floor Coverings International came out and completely transformed this space by ripping up the old carpet and replacing the balusters, and let me just say… it feels like a whole new home. I’m always amazed at how a few key updates can breathe so much life into a space, and this makeover did not disappoint. Let me walk you through the process and show you how beautiful everything turned out!
This first photo shows exactly what I started with—full carpeted stairs, original wood handrails, and the older white balusters. The carpet had definitely seen better days and was starting to feel a little dated in this space. You can also see where the paint and trim needed some freshening up. This is the view that made me realize it was time for a staircase makeover!
From this straight-on angle, you can really tell how much the carpet dominated the whole entryway. It made the staircase feel heavy and a little dark, especially with how large this staircase is. You can also see the matching upper railing, which was all going to be updated to create a cleaner, more modern look. This was the perfect “before” shot to capture just how big the transformation would be.
This side view gives another great look at the original balusters and the natural wood rail. Everything here was still structurally great—it just needed a fresh, updated style to match the rest of the home. You can really see how the carpet wrapped all the way down the stairs and onto the risers, which made me even more excited to switch to something cleaner and more durable.
This shot shows the moment everything really started taking shape—the carpet was completely removed, revealing the raw wood underneath. You can see where the old staples and padding were pulled up, leaving behind those lighter and darker patches. It’s amazing how different the stairs look at this stage, and even though it’s messy, this is that exciting part of a project where you can finally see the potential coming together.
ere you can see an even bigger picture of the progress. With the carpet gone and the floors sanded down, the entire entryway suddenly feels so open and bright. The stairs are fully stripped, and all the old balusters have been removed to make way for the new ones. This is the stage where everything looks a little bare—but it’s all part of the magic of a makeover. The clean slate made me even more excited to see the transformation that Floor Coverings International had planned.
This close-up shows the test stain on the handrail where we were playing around with color options. It’s such a small detail, but choosing the right stain makes a huge difference in tying the entire staircase together. Seeing the new stain against the freshly stripped stairs helped us decide the perfect tone for the final look. This was one of those little moments in the project where everything started to feel real!
When it came time to pick a stain for the handrail, I knew I wanted something bold that would give the staircase a fresh, modern look. After testing a few options, the ebony stain immediately stood out. It added the perfect contrast against the lighter wood and really helped elevate the whole space. Even in the early stages, I could tell the darker stain would bring a rich, updated feel to the entryway—so ebony it was!
Before the runner went on, the stairs had this bold, dramatic black-and-white moment—and honestly, it looked stunning all on its own. The ebony treads paired with the crisp white risers created the prettiest contrast and instantly made the staircase feel clean, modern, and intentional. Even without any décor, the high-contrast colors completely elevated the entryway. Seeing this step of the process really showed just how far the staircase had come.
The new black balusters were a total game changer. They tied in beautifully with the stained handrail and the black treads, giving the staircase such a cohesive, polished look. The slimmer, iron-style design added a modern touch while still fitting perfectly into the character of the home. Even before the runner was installed, the balusters alone made the staircase look completely refreshed.
And here it is—the final look! Seeing the staircase fully finished feels like a complete transformation of the whole entryway. The new colors, the clean lines, and the gorgeous runner all came together even better than I imagined. It instantly made the space feel more elegant, more intentional, and so much more “me.” This makeover truly breathed new life into the heart of the home.
The stair runner was the finishing touch that tied everything together. The black background and soft white pattern blend beautifully with the painted treads and risers. It adds warmth, texture, and just the right amount of personality without overwhelming the space. I love how the pattern flows from step to step—it feels classic but still bold. And the best part? It’s soft underfoot and extremely durable, which is perfect for this high-traffic spot.
The new black balusters look absolutely incredible with the finished runner in place. The clean, slim silhouette brings such a modern touch, but still keeps the classic charm that this staircase has always had. Paired with the ebony handrail, they create the perfect contrast against the white trim. It’s a detail that completely elevates the entire staircase.
Now when you walk through the front door, the staircase makes the most beautiful first impression. It draws your eye upward, makes the space feel bigger, and adds such a warm, inviting feel to the whole entryway. The runner softens the bold contrast of the black and white and gives the staircase that cozy, finished look.
One of my absolute favorite details from this project is the custom rug they created for my entryway using the same carpet as the stair runner. It was such a thoughtful touch, and it makes the whole space feel incredibly cohesive. The moment you walk in, the pattern ties the floor and staircase together beautifully, creating a seamless flow from one area to the next. It’s one of those little extras that makes the entire makeover look professionally designed and completely intentional—and I couldn’t love it more.
I’m so thrilled with how this staircase makeover turned out, and I hope you enjoyed following along through each step of the transformation. It’s amazing how a few key changes—new balusters, fresh stain, and the perfect runner—can completely refresh a space and make it feel brand new again. Floor Coverings International did an incredible job bringing my vision to life, and now every time I walk through the front door, this staircase makes me smile.
If you’re thinking about updating your own stairs or flooring, I highly recommend reaching out to them—they truly made the whole process easy and enjoyable. And as always, I hope this makeover inspires you to get creative in your own home. Thanks for coming along on this fun project with me!
Barb, I am so happy for you and Mr. Wally. Your staircase is Breathtaking , it’s gorgeous and elegant. It is amazing what a few updates can do for a home. You did a fantastic job picking it all out and pulling it together. I absolutely love it and appreciate you sharing your journey with us.
Looks amazing!
Wow! What a beautiful statement it makes at the entrance of your home! ♥️
Gorgeous!! The staircase is stunning!!
The stairs are absolutely beautiful, Barb! It’s bright and and clean. Your whole house is beautiful!
Hi Barb!!
It’s all absolutely gorgeous!!! I love the carpet and the color of the floors. And the railings! Love it all!! You’re almost through the tunnel!! Hang on!! You will get to relax and enjoy Christmas and Nee Years! 🩷🩷
Love your stairs. They turned out great. The black is perfect
Stunning!!! I AM loving the BLACK!!!!!
Love it!
Looks stunning!! I absolutely love it
Absolutely beautiful!!! That was the stair runner I picked the first time you showed them. It is all so perfect❣️❣️
WOWZA NOW THAT IS REALLY PRETTY!!!
It’s gorgeous Barb🫶🌹
How fun 🌹 I’m so happy for you guys
The transformation is remarkable.
So pretty 😍
It’s absolutely stunning and definitely says, “BARB “!!!
BEAUTIFUL transformation!
It turned out as lovely as you thought it would Barb. Love it, so happy its done and your getting everything back together fast. Love how you moved things around for a new change also. Happy holidays!!!!
It’s all so beautiful, Barb! I know you’re happy to have it finished and be back home. 💖💖💖
Barb….. absolutely LOVE your stairs, floors, carpet and paint choices. They all go together and it’s an amazing update!!!
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL
Beautiful ! They did a great job.
Absolutely Beautiful!
Wow!
Worth the wait Barb!
Barb, this is absolutely beautiful. The runner is the one I thought would be your choice. I love it!!! Enjoy your home and maybe now you can relax and take it all in!! ❤️
Absolutely gorgeous. Love the black and white.
Barb
It’s just STUNNING!!!
Love it!!
Huge difference. Fantastic
It is fabulous! Love the carpeting.
Absolutely gorgeous ♥️🥰 love how they turned out ❤️❤️ The whole house looks BEAUTIFUL ❤️❤️
Turned out amazing Barb you did an excellent job with the color. Wouldn’t change a thing
It’s gorgeous!! It is you, completely!! We live too far away from the company that did your floors.
Thanks for sharing, Barb!!
Barb I love it,, love the black, looks amazing what a transformation❤❤❤❤❤❤
So pretty perfect choice of carpet o go with the railing . and black trim.