Sunday, January 03, 2010

Colefax & Fowler To The Rescue

This year John and I decided that we would give carpet to each other for Christmas, not very romantic but needed. This morning while looking for a solution to our problem staircase I remembered a tiny picture from Colefax & Fowler ~ The Best In English Interior Decoration by Chester Jones. A note to this particular page in Jones charming book has languished in my decorating notebook ever since we moved into this house six years ago. This little picture has solved all my problems in regard to carpet placement and our problem stairs.


You can see the problem stairs here if you scroll down. My major dissatisfaction has been with the color of the trim. Golden oak does not go with our furniture at all. The C & F solution to the problem, paint it all white. The next problem is that the runner is not even centered on the stair and the existing carpet is inset between two pieces of the dreaded oak. There is particle board under the carpeted section of each step that is about a half inch lower than the oak making the carpet inset on the tread even off center. The C & F solution is to fill in the lower particle board area to make a level step then carpet the whole stair tread all the way across. Ta-da!


The next informative bit of information in the picture above is the placement of the guilloche border. See how the border is placed on the wall side of the stair only. I love that idea. I have seen stairways carpeted with the border on both sides and for some reason it just looked wrong and chopped up. This seems to give the decorative effect without cluttering up the look.

The color does not show up well in the picture here but it is a navy blue pattern on an ivory ground. The wall color is a beautiful mid-range true blue. Since our walls are a mid-range green I will be looking for a dark green pattern on an ivory background. Wish me luck. I know this will not be easy to find but, hey, it has taken me six years just to figure out how to correct this mess of a potentially beautiful stairway.

Hugs,
Sue

14 comments:

  1. Your inspiration picture is stunning. I love it. I can't wait to see what you come up with. Good luck on your hunt. Hugs, Marty

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  2. I can't wait to see your finished project!!! I am sure of one thing...it will be beautiful!!!

    Enjoy!!!
    XOXO
    Cathy

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  3. That will be beautiful when it's all completed. I love accent carpet on stairs. A friend of mine has leopard on hers and it looks fabulous!

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  4. Don't you love those Ah-Haa moments of decorating? LOL! Sounds like a great solution.

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  5. I found your blog last week, and it's very nice. I am inspired by your decorating style to finally start getting mine set up the way I like it. Having to move a lot with the military, I get tired of white walls and beige carpet. But I can paint the walls and accessorize it and furnish it with style! I always thought, "what's the point, it's not mine", but that is so wrong. You should be able to live in beauty.

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  6. There is particle board under the carpeted section of each step that is about a half inch lower than the oak making the carpet inset on the tread even off center.


    kobe beef

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  7. I loved scrolling through all of your pictures and seeing your beautiful extended family. I'm sure you know how blessed you are.

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  8. I shall say that you made the CORRECT decision...

    and in the previous post, everyone is soooooo beautiful

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  9. Sue,
    Glad you've solved the problem...I know it will be beautiful...

    Thank you for your good wishes...I pray that 2010 will be a blessed year for you and your loved ones....

    God bless...Betty

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  10. Anonymous11:58 AM

    Sue,

    I know whatever you choose will be beautiful. You home is just lovely and I love how it looks now.

    Hugs,
    Gretchen

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  11. Def paint the trim white. I would also recommend painting the banister super high black gloss. Sounds strong but, trust me it's gorgoeus. We seem to have very similar taste...XXOO

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  12. Mommy Lynda, I wish you happy decorating of your temporary home. Your expression of gratitude for my inspiring you is very heart warming to me.

    Allie, thank you for the confirmation that this direction is the correct one. Once my Italian contractors get here trying to convince me not to paint over the oak your comment will help me stick to my guns....I love the idea of painting the banister high gloss black and think that I will adopt your suggestion.

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  13. We're with Allie on the painting, and love your inspiration photo, it is stunning. You are going to have one elegant looking resolution to the problem, I just know it!

    Smiles to you,
    tp

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  14. Oh Sue, that staircase picture is beautiful! Have you gotten your carpet yet? I look forward to seeing it. laurie

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Thanks for leaving a comment. I so appreciate it when you take the time to leave a bit of encouragement.
Hugs,
Sue