Sunday, October 9, 2011

Hallway Stairway Ceiling



The ceiling above our stairway was a mess. At the bottom, the ceiling above the landing has been exposed strapping and broken plaster since we finished the living room. Like this.
 
Directly above the stairs was a weird paneling/cardboard type drop ceiling. Cracking, drooping, gross.

A few weeks ago, we finally took it down. We found that the plaster in the corner was damaged, and we cannot reach ten feet above the stairs to repair drywall.

This is a picture of the stairway to our basement. These are a tongue and groove boards. They match all of the woodwork throughout the house, so I think it is original. We decided to try to replicate this above our other stairway. 

First, we added additional support to the existing frame. Then we painted the walls. This is the last area in the house to be painted. Every other room, closet and hallway has been painted. Our house no longer has flesh toned paint.

Before we could install the new wood, Matt did some work repairing the drywall above the landing. I did not take great before pictures - but the plaster was really strange and rounded.

The new drywall looks great, and adds a few inches of head room on the way down the stairs.

We were also able to put the molding back on. The pieces have been
in a grocery bag in the basement for three years. Very exciting!
New drywall above landing. Molding in place. Needs paint - but looking good.

The drywall is great, but the ceiling is the best part of the project. We rented a finish nailer, and the boards went up quickly.

Looking up the stairs, right side trim piece in place.

Top of the stairs, finished with trim.

From top of stairs, all trim complete.