Updating an Oak Stair or Handrail to White and Walnut

This workshop walkthrough stays in the order the work happens.

Kimberly at Craftyland has made some striking changes to their stair handrail.


ever since we moved into our little bungalow just over a year ago, the staircase going down to the basement has been a thorn in my side. the oaky colour stuck out like a sore thumb next to the hardwood we put in, and the staircase is front row center in the kitchen/familyroom/dining area of the house… so it needed a makeover BADLY!! here’s the proof:

i started by purchasing an orbital sander (how i survived this long without it boggles my mind!) and sanded off all the varnish from the railing. a few new sanding disks and two very wobbly hands later, it was ready for some stain. i used a gel stain which was solid! so straightforward to apply because it went on more like paint than stain.

after one coat of stain

i did an extra coat of the stain just to be sure i wouldn’t forever stare at it and wonder if it was dark enough. next i applied 2 coats of diamond gard varnish and moved on to the spindles. first i primed them with bulls eye 123 which meant i didn’t have to sand them down to the bare wood like i did for the railing. then i applied 2 coats of paint we had leftover from when we painted our trim and wainscoting.

2 coats of stain and 2 coats of varnish

let the priming begin!

i’m so so so in love with how it turned out! now i just have to decide what i want to do with the wall heading down to the basement.. still undecided.. but for now i am just going to enjoy the transformation    

          Very nice change on the white stair handrail.   How do you like it?