Again in January, I shared my design plan for our new stairwell accent wall. I’m blissful to report that the mission is full AND I’m alive and effectively, albeit a tad sore, from the entire up and down, utilizing the scaffolding.
Let’s Backtrack…
If you happen to missed it, I’ve a big clean wall in our stairwell, main from the primary to second ground of our residence, that I’ve all the time wished to jazz up with some wooden molding. I stored placing this mission off as a result of I couldn’t wrap my head across the logistics. Certain, I may simply add a wooden accent wall since I’ve carried out many earlier than, however how was it going to work on such a big scale?
In the long run, I bought this scaffolding so I may safely attain the excessive portion of the wall with out utilizing a ladder. I had a couple of nervous followers inform me that I ought to possibly rent this one out, however I do know my physique and I satisfaction myself on being secure with regards to DIY. I’ve used saws, nail weapons, and labored on ladders earlier than, and I take security very critically. I used to be assured that I may do that mission myself. I’ll say that in case you’re in any respect afraid of heights, this is likely to be a mission that you simply wish to sit out!
Stairwell Accent Wall – The Provides
These provides are much like what I’ve used up to now for woodworking tasks right here on the weblog. The extra provides are the scaffolding and the protractor, used for angled cuts.
Set Up Your Scaffolding
First issues first…. I needed to get the scaffolding in place. This was undoubtedly a two-person job, so I had Finn assist me set it up and tear it down every single day that I labored on this mission. Actually, it wasn’t troublesome to do because it was solely a five-minute course of. However it was undoubtedly a ache within the butt as a result of we needed to lug it to and from the storage, and put it away each night time, because it was located in a central a part of our residence.
As a result of it was on the steps, we positioned one set of legs within the hallway, at a low setting, and the opposite on the touchdown, at a excessive setting. This labored rather well and I felt very safe up there! I’m really actually excited we bought this as a result of I do know we’ll get use out of it for different tasks round the home.
Add Your Giant Boards
My first order of enterprise was to get my massive 1×3 boards up. With my design (above), I made a decision to position these boards on the surface of the wall, in addition to one horizontal, and two vertical. These cuts have been largely straight cuts on the miter noticed and I connected every board with a nail gun and liquid nails. It was essential to make use of a stage as I labored as a result of my partitions aren’t straight and I wanted to get these first boards as straight as doable.
I used to be really shocked by how rapidly I used to be in a position to set up these high massive boards, and I quickly moved onto the trim for this higher portion of the wall.
Add Your Inside Trim
For the within trim, I went with this molding and I reduce every finish at 45-degrees, so the corners could be mitered collectively. My molding had two totally different lips on it, so I had to remember which approach I wanted to make my reduce, so the proper portion was on the within of the field. This isn’t troublesome, but it surely messed with my head as I used to be working away. I discovered it best to take my measurements after which draw little diagrams on my paper, so I may bear in mind which strategy to reduce each bit of trim.
Once more, I connected these with liquid nails and actual nails, utilizing my brad nailer. Because you received’t all the time be hitting studs, you may “lock” your nails collectively by pointing one nail down, and a second one up, so that they lock behind the wall for a good bond. If you happen to put your nails in straight, it is possible for you to to tug the wooden proper on out.
At this level, I used to be feeling fairly good and pleased with myself. However then, it was time for some math.
The Backside Was Difficult…
Okay, so that is the place issues slowed down…so much. As a result of this stairwell accent wall is on a staircase, I had the angle of the steps to cope with. That meant that I needed to make my backside cuts on angles and the trim items have been particularly difficult. Let me stroll you thru the method for the varied cuts.
Tips on how to Make Obtuse Angle Cuts
We’re heading again to geometry class at the moment and I’m fairly certain my highschool trainer (Mrs. Ok!) could be very proud that I’m utilizing these abilities as a 34-year-old girl. For the trim on the higher portion of the partitions, each bit was assembly at a 90-degree angle, so my cuts have been 45-degrees (45 + 45 = 90). Simple peasy.
However, what about an angle like this, that’s higher than 90 levels – an obtuse angle? For this, I wanted to make use of a protractor. I positioned it within the nook of the trim to search out the angle. On this case, it was 129 levels. At first, I assumed that I’d simply divide 129 in half and I’d be good to go. Improper. Right here’s what I needed to do…
- 180 – 129 = 51
- 51 divided by 2 = 25.5
My cuts wanted to be 25.5 levels. Once I took that quantity to the noticed, it labored like a attraction! Okay, obtuse angles carried out. I may deal with that.
Tips on how to Make Acute Angle Cuts
The acute angles (lower than 90 levels) have been harder for my mind to understand. For this spot, my protractor mentioned the angle was 52 levels.
- 180 – 52 = 128
- 128 divided by 2 = 64
My cuts wanted to be 64 levels. However, then I headed to my noticed and realized {that a} miter noticed solely goes as much as 50 levels! Dang, what was I going to do? Properly, I turned to YouTube for the reply and I discovered this video. Basically, I wanted to make a fence that might enable me to chop higher angles.
To do that, I used a bit of scrap wooden and carpet tape. Sure, carpet tape! I positioned the carpet tape on the perimeters of the noticed and I positioned the wooden on high. I then reduce the wooden at a 45-degree angle, every approach. My fence was now in place and never going wherever as a result of sticky tape!
For the reason that fence sits at 45-degrees, it makes a 45-degree reduce when the noticed is about to zero. To make a 64-degree reduce, I needed to do some simple arithmetic.
I set the noticed to 19 levels, positioned the trim as much as the brand new fence, and increase…a 64-degree reduce! I could have misplaced you there (it undoubtedly took my mind a couple of tries to get this discovered), however in case you want the data to your future woodworking mission, it should all the time be right here!
The Ending Touches
With the cuts all completed (hooray!), I used to be in a position to get every part up and on the wall and it was time for the ending touches. For me, that’s the enjoyable half! I used painter’s putty to fill the nail holes and I caulked each seam utilizing my favourite caulking secret! With woodworking tasks like this one, I all the time suggest caulking wherever wooden meets a brand new aircraft or one other piece of wooden. Each edge and seam was caulked and this gave it a cultured look. Don’t skimp on caulk!
As soon as the caulk and painter’s putty dried, I gave the wall three mild coats of Benjamin Moore “Merely White” in a satin end. I really had a can left over from my basement door portray marathon and I used to be thrilled I may put it to good use!
Our New Stairwell Accent Wall
Right here you go! A take a look at the brand new stairwell accent wall. I completely adore it!
The white shade retains it refined and the trim detailing makes it look high-end.
It makes the area look much less builder-grade and boring and far more particular. It seems to be like this stairwell accent wall was all the time meant to be right here!
And the way about these angled cuts?! I’m fairly pleased with myself for figuring these out!
Earlier than & After
Right here’s what the stairwell seemed like again in 2019 after we bought the house. Wowza!
This little space has come a good distance, hasn’t it?!
Stairwell Particulars
Listed here are some sources and tutorials from this area.
My General Ideas
I’m not gonna lie, my physique was FREAKIN’ SORE after this one. It was a lot up and down on the scaffolding and each time I needed to stand up on this factor it was like a gymnastics present to heave my physique up there! This is able to be simpler as a two-person mission, with one individual staying on the scaffolding and the opposite individual operating to the storage for cuts.
BUT, I’m very pleased with myself for doing this whole mission solo – minus, Mr. Finn’s assist organising and tearing down the scaffolding every day. I additionally needed to do a majority of it throughout nap occasions, with sound machines blasting within the hallways to forestall the children from listening to the ruckus proper exterior their doorways. It might have been a lot simpler to get this mission carried out in two lengthy days. Nonetheless, I made do with a couple of free hours, right here and there. You make it work while you’re a working mother of younger children, proper?!
I’ve considered this mission since 2019 and I’m so blissful that I lastly acquired round to it. I smile each time I stroll up and down these stairs, which is so much in a day! It’s enjoyable to stroll by this and suppose “I did that!”.
