Stairs

This is a project that both Shannon and I are really tired of doing. But, it's much cheaper to diy it than to hire out and the results are great.

It began in the autumn of 2012. Mama and I couldn't live for one more minute with the green carpet on the stairs, so we tore it up. The house we live in has red oak hardwood everywhere except the bathrooms and kitchens. If you haven't done this before then a really good pair of pliers really helps with gripping the edge of the carpet and pulling up staples. Or whatever works. Really, it doesn't matter as long as you get the carpet up.

The wood wasn't in the best shape, but it wasn't in bad shape either.  It was very rough though and the polyurethane very yellowed. We sanded down to the raw wood but not far enough to get many of the scratches out, because that would eat into the wood too much. They're really not that noticeable in person. We sand with an electric sander with 60 grit sandpaper until the raw wood is reached and then finish it with 160 or higher so the wood is smooth. Then, cleanup. That part is not fun. Then, polyurethane!! I apply satin oil-based polyurethane with a foam brush, making sure to apply it slowly (to reduce bubbles), thinly, and evenly. It usually takes around 5 thin coats.

Top: before, Bottom: after

The hardest parts are around the corners and the balusters I couldn't get out. Usually you can dislodge them but a few were seemingly glued and nailed in. That seems really unsafe to me, but it wasn't mine or my family's doing so what can I do. 

The difference in finish is great. They're perfectly smooth on bare feet, whereas before they were rough and splintery. The satin finish looks very natural. I love the way the light reflects off of them. I do like when treads are stained darker, but I don't mind the natural color of the red oak either. It's Mama's preference, so whatever makes her happy makes me happy. 

At the moment there are still 3 (out of 13) steps to go. Life always gets in the way but we usually get a stair done in a day when it's a good day to do it. It's a noisy, messy, stressful day though. All the necessary coats of polyurethane usually take a few days, with everyone skipping over the step until it's dry. After the stairs are done I'll be painting the risers a clean, glossy white. After that, maybe a banister project. We'll see...

Summer goes by too quickly.

Soon it will be over again. The common garden mums are heavy with buds and sometimes the occasional bloom. The joe pyes are tall, handsome, and blooming. The sedums are developing a flush on their buds. Dogwoods are slightly golden from afar, with a small amount of rose up close. The growing season just seems to go by so quickly.

Eutrochium Purpureum

I'm anxious to see how the muhly grass will bloom this year. It did so well during the growing months last year, but the smaller clumps I had didn't make it at all and the larger one seems to have died in the center. I'll be surprised if it makes the winter this year. It's supposed to be hardy to zone 6, but I think mine didn't fair well because of drainage issues. The land I garden on is very flat, with rich soil that holds on to moisture pretty well (but is still "well draining", for certain). This being New Jersey, the soil is also fairly acidic, which is why I think dianthus doesn't seem to want to live for me. I keep trying anyway. I can't resist the silvery foliage and pink flowers. Please, dianthus, pls.

Dianthus Gratianopolitanus "Firewitch"

I'm also doing some zone pushing on some gaura I couldn't resist. It was labeled to zone 6, but I've heard that is just a label. Gaura likes drier locations, so I fear I'll have the same problem like with the muhly. Oh well. It's worth it even as an annual. I'm thinking... containers? For next year!

Gaura Lindheimeri "Ballerina Rose"

Let's end this with a little bit of impatiens gradient.

Impatiens Walleriana in various colors