Oh boy, this section is always a source of embarrassment for me. It’s the part of the house that I can’t help but apologize for when guests come over and venture upstairs. I find myself saying, “Oh, the upstairs landing isn’t finished yet, obviously, haha,” which is cringeworthy and annoying. It’s usually empty, sometimes messy, but full of potential. So this is one of those updates that most people won’t care about, but those following the house closely will appreciate (and maybe even offer some help). Stick around until the end for some rarely reported design drama that really got under my skin (but was totally justified).
Last Time We Showed You The Landing:
The OG Landing:
This area was spacious and dark with lots of potential. The new skylight brought in much-needed light, which was a big win. I also added some lovely ticking stripe wallpaper, although you can’t really see it on camera (I guess that’s a fail on my part). We kept the floor white with plans to paint a mural or pattern, but that hasn’t happened yet for a few reasons. Want to hear my excuses?
- Painting the highly trafficked floor is a major disruption to live with. Having the kids gone for a few days or finding alternative sleeping arrangements is not something we look forward to. So every summer, we plan to do it, but end up doing something more enjoyable with our kid-free days.
- I’m unsure of what I want to paint it with. I bought floral stencils thinking of a border, but lack a clear vision, which leads to indecision and paralysis.
- We love the sisal rug up here, but the area around it is a different color from underneath, making it challenging to decide on a painting pattern. The fear of most of the pattern being covered and damaged has led me to consider a solid blue similar to the stairs with a cute border as the easiest option. The lack of a clear direction has left me exploring other options.
If I could turn back time, I would have invested in new wood flooring for the stairs, landing, and kids’ rooms. But financially drained, I opted to paint the damaged floor instead. It wasn’t the best decision, but in the chaos of a major renovation, sometimes the brain stops functioning properly. I made choices I have to live with, and that’s okay.
I do love the door color (although I wish I had invested in new knobs), but those antique knobs keep falling off, sometimes with a neighborhood kid locked inside, leading to comical rescue missions. The accidental life hack of placing laundry machines near the kids’ rooms has made laundry organization a breeze.
Drama #1: Severe Wallpaper Damage
The delicate wallpaper turned out to be a disaster during a photo shoot, where blue tape used to protect corners peeled off the walls, leaving irreparable damage. The wallpaper’s lack of durability and washability led to a decision to re-paper the entire stairs and upper landing. A more robust stripe wallpaper was chosen this time.
PLOT TWIST: Enter The Pop-A-Shot
The Pop-A-Shot has found its place in the landing, providing indoor entertainment for the kids during the winter months. It symbolizes the family-friendly nature of our home. The landing also houses a piano temporarily and a heavy arched cabinet in the guest room.
The current state of the landing may not look as bad in photos, but in person, it needs some attention. I’m considering painting the floor blue like the stairway this summer and focusing on a border for any DIY projects. It may not bother me much, but it’s time for a refresh.
Drama #2: The Wrong Wallpaper Installer
The new wallpaper installation hit a snag when the hired company, with little wallpaper experience, encountered difficulties. Toxic paint primer and slow progress led to a frustrating experience, prompting a refund and a change of plans. A more experienced installer was called in to finish the job, bringing excitement for the new wallpaper.
And that’s a wrap! Perhaps my hormonal state influenced this post a bit, but rest assured, all is well in the Henderson household.
*Photos by Kaitlin Green