A Homemade Staircase

by marjasisu, posted in Camp Many Moons

Weeks of grinding work — literally and metaphorically — and now, the result. A vision turned into reality. So satisfying!

Midsummer is high-growth time, which leads to harvest time.  We have “grown” a staircase and will soon “harvest” a functional home. The story in photos and captions below…

A month or so ago, it looked liked this. Steps but not yet stairs, with a temporary handrail.
Jeff created the stair planks and landing from rough oak that he dried, cut, sanded, stained and coated with polyurethane. (The handrail is removed here to carry large items to the loft.)
He then created posts of the same oak — some of them made of two or even three pieces, glued together — and bored holes into them for the balusters. (There was a lot of math and mental work involved, plus some trial-and-error.) Then, stain and polyurethane.
We bought 1/2-inch iron pipe for the balusters and opted to go horizontal vs. vertical. (I researched on-line and perused photos before deciding on this style.) The posts aren’t painted yet in this photo. Both posts and bars went in and out during this process.
Notice the post toppers. Cast iron! I found a deal on Amazon, but Jeff had to smooth them out. Good thing he has a lot of tools–and bought more during this process. Those iron pipes were super-dirty and oily, and we worked for days to clean them up for….
…painting.The black looked ok but we wanted something warmer. I experimented with hammered bronze and brown, and opted for the warmer brown. I use hammered spray paint often but noticed that the “hammered” effect doesn’t show up well here. We still like the result.
It still needs a handrail, which we will pick up on another shopping trip to the building supply store. A handrail on the stair is required by code but we also plan to put one in the loft to discourage young visitors from climbing the bars. (I’m insured, but still don’t welcome a lawsuit. Not to mention a serious injury from falling on the concrete floor!) Jeff’s various tools are visible, including the gizmo on the floor that he used to grind holes into the posts. His doggedness during this process was amazing. Sticking it out and figuring it out!
We’ve started to move in furniture. This antique chair from a local friend fits the loft, though I hope to change the cushion color to something that complements my decor a bit better.
We even moved in a bed…plus an antique bookcase with glass doors which came from my grandparents’ farm. My dad may have stored books here in the 1930s and 40s.(That quilt is made of my commemorative t-shirts…10K runs, Navy duties, etc.)
I treated the bookcase — which separated into sections like this — with Liquid Gold before moving it into the house. It’s in amazing shape for its age. (Maybe I am too? 😉 I just noticed my reflection in the glass. In my swimsuit! Um. As you can guess, it was hot that day.)
So very happy with our new staircase! Plus a new living space (of sorts) in the loft, with its own bathroom and shower. But we can’t move in until we pass four more inspections. I think that will make 12 inspections total. New-home building isn’t for bureaucracy sissies!
This morning’s sunrise reminded me why I decided to build in the first place. For this.
And this. So much calm water lately! The mooring ball remains unused as the motorized boats remain mostly on land this summer. 😦 You can see Roscoe’s leash and run-wire in this photo.
Roscoe’s had a tough time of it lately, barely moving or eating for days. We thought he was dying, and I admit I cried easily while trying to make him comfortable…shading him from hot sun, administering painkillers, etc. ..
…but now he is back to his old self! 🙂 Emphasis on old…we think he’s 15… but eating again, enjoying his walks again, and generally acting happy. Okay Roscoe! You get to decide when you’re ready to go, but i’m so glad it’s not yet.

4 thoughts on “A Homemade Staircase”

  4. I’m so proud of both of you for the choices snd vision you had for designing this wonderful staircase! Many kudos to Jeff for the precision and dedication to making this project a colossal success!!! Just fabulous!!!!

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