Thursday, May 17, 2012

S+S DIY: Nailhead Runner

The boy and I are quite the problem solvers lately. Upon our move, we realized Stella was going to have some trouble with our new found staircase. They are wood, slippery and really are treacherous for anyone. It took one fall from her before she started approaching the stairs with trepidation. Any of you all that know us, know that Stella has us completely whipped. You know the song "Whatever Lola Wants. Lola Gets?" Well insert Stella into the chorus and you have our household.

The boy, once again, started thinking of a quick, affordable (like a true guy) and efficient solution. If this law gig doesn't work out for him, I seriously think he could have a future in interior design. His solution landed us in the carpet aisle of Home Depot. I swear, we should start becoming spokespeople for the Home Depot. Since we have moved into our house, we have been to the Home Depot on 14 different occasions. Peeps. We have only lived in our house for 6 days. Count it. Anyhow, his genius idea was to have a runner cut out of one of their large reams of carpet. Good. But not great. I was thinking, thinking, thinking how we could zsush this runner up to make it look unique, expensive and not drab. Wait for it. Wait for it. Nailhead. You got it. Nailhead. The solution to ANY household dilemma.

DIY Nailhead Runner
Materials:
Home Depot carpet cut to runner dimensions
Nailhead Tacks
Hammer
Tape Measure
That. Is. It.
Believe it or not, I took a before photo here. The treacherous stairs seen below. This is equivalent to Mt. Kilimanjaro for Stells.
Step 1. Measure and lay the carpet evenly down the staircase. A tape measure comes in handy here as my eyes tend to deceive me always on what seems to be the true middle. Once the "middle" is found, secure the rug in with nails on the backs of the stairs. 
Step 2. Once the rug is secured on the steps, begin to measure where you want the nailhead to adorn the steps. Since this is a dark carpet, the nailhead really stands out. The boy had to take this project into his own hands. Again, my nailhead slowly started to creep into a diagonal formation. Not cute. To insure the nailhead was evenly space, he made a make shift ruler out of masking tape. Laugh. But it works. 
Again, the finished product. Stella's peace of mind is worth every penny to us. Every $17.00 this project cost us. I am not even kidding. Not even. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "a penny saved is a penny earned." And every penny saved during this project will be invested into all of my 372 remaining projects.  Simple, budget friendly, designer look solution. We could not be happier. 
Loves!

21 comments:

  1. I love it! Fresh and Fun! Way to go!!

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  2. can't wait to copy this idea. Exactly. Like crazy girl is sending Matthew to that same Home Depot to copy your man's plan. I've been wanting a runner in her since we moved in A YEAR AGO. That's quite a bit more than six days ma'am. This just might be our solution. I am loving that nailhead!

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  3. Looks great, good idea with the nail head!

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  4. I can't believe the price for that look!! Did HD cut the carpet into the size you wanted or did you have to cut it down?

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  5. sweet runner! wilma would have the same trepidation so im glad saders is being heard in this relationship :)

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  6. Love this idea! especially the nailhead. Will be adding to my list of things to do in my own home. I've been wanting a runner for forever but with 3 sets of steps in the house, I couldn't find anything nearly as "cost efficient" as your DIY idea! Thanks!!

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  7. We have a dog that also gets whatever he wants. When we bought the house we had a fence installed the day we closed so that he could have a backyard. We always say it's Cope's house and he is just nice enough to let us live in it. What a great idea for a runner though... Those stairs do look especially steep.

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  8. Looks great!! I can't believe HD cut the carpet for you.... I don't think mine does that!

    xoxo, Emily
    www.mainstreetchic.blogspot.com

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  9. I love a good DIY. Necessity is the mother of invention, I say! The nailhead trim makes all the difference. Bravo.

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  10. Simple yet amazing update! Thanks for sharing lovely ladies! xo

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  11. Adorable! Perfect for the little one, but also adds some texture and aesthetics to the staircase! Well done, I say :).

    Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget

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  12. Love it!! Can I borrow your guy for a few days because mine isn't handy or inventive AT ALL and I need some projects done around the house?!

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  13. GENIUS!!! It looks fabulous and definitely money well spent AND saved for your other projects! Thanks for sharing :)

    Dominique @ http://comfycozycouture.blogspot.com

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  14. I love it! Did you have to tuck in the outside edges?

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    Replies
    1. I didn't have to tuck in anything. We had it cut perfect to size for the steps!

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  15. That looks really good. And so simple to do. Thanks

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  16. Great Content, Just loved the way you presented itÖ Keep up the good work

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