Upstairs hall:
Kitchen:
And the crown jewel... the staircase. At first, they were not going to do anything to the risers besides touch up their dings and go over them with poly. Matt said they just do not have the equipment to sand risers. This is how they looked with the steps done and the risers left as is:
I wasn't feeling it. They bothered me. Some opinions were approving of the contrast, but to my eye, the risers looked too orange. I did not mind a contrast, but I did NOT like the orange cast I was perceiving, in contrast with the mahogany stain. So after some pondering, I asked Matt what would happen if we put some stain on the risers without sanding. I told him I didn't need them to match the steps, but I would like them to be darker. Matt obliged...
He said he had to put the stain on pretty thick, but the end result, to my surprise, was that the risers actually come very close to matching the steps.
I've always loved this staircase, and now I love it even more. The way the stained glass window casts colors upon the landing is especially awesome... I will try to capture that in a photo some day.
These refinished floors have really caused me to turn a corner in my appreciation of this house. I now find that when I go over there, I don't want to leave. And we only refinished the kitchen, staircase, upstairs hallway, and upstairs bathroom. It feels cleaner, somehow, and it feels inviting, even cozy.
Now I am turning my attention toward rejuvenating the vast stretches of wood trim throughout the house... Something to occupy me until we can spend the $$$ needed to do the 2nd floor bedrooms. I really hope to do those sooner rather than later.
