Holy smokes! SO much has changed since the last time I published a post.
I hope you and yours are healthy, and at home, and aren’t experiencing too much overwhelming anxiety about what’s going on in the world right now. Me, Kevin, Steevenson, Jim and Katie have been self-quarantining since March 16th, and thankfully none of us have been sick because of COVID-19. Unfortunately, I’ve heard from many friends who have, and their experiences with it sound horrible. Not just the sickness part of it, but some have lost loved ones because of it too. I can’t imagine how hard it was to not be able to say goodbye, or how scary it was to be in the hospital alone. 🙁
Like most of the world, the five of us are staying busy reading, writing, watching, cooking, cleaning, and creating. Because I’ve been challenged by agoraphobia (a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic) for the past couple of years, life doesn’t look too different for me, personally, as far as staying home and social distancing goes, but Kevin and Katie don’t get out and about as often as they used to (or would like to) and, of course, sweet Steevenson is at home all the time now. He expressed interest in recording our own “show”, so he and I have started sharing a series we call “Stee & Me” on Instagram stories. Most times, we make something in the kitchen, and sometimes he just shares 3 things he’s loving that week. (I saved a few stories in a highlight on my feed if you missed them and want to check them out.)
A more noticeable recent change for us is that we stopped going out for food. We stopped going to the grocery store, picking up food from restaurants, and going through the drive-thru at fast food places. We just order meals from Home Chef and use Shipt’s grocery delivery service now. We thoroughly disinfect *everything*, including our countertops and doorknobs after we get the food put away. It just started to feel too unnecessarily risky with Jim and Katie living here. They’re in their mid-80s now, and it seemed like a small but important price to pay to help keep them coronavirus-free.
In other news, I promised I’d share some photos of our newly-painted stairs, and I finally got around to snapping a few today. First, here’s a look back at what the steps looked like before…
…and here’s the freshened up after!
To tie in with our kitchen backsplash, (which is on the other side of the wall on the left) we went with a dusty mint Benjamin Moore color called “Woodland Green” on the treads. We used Benjamin Moore’s “Simply White” on the risers and trim. The treads are coated in two layers of an amazing, tough-as-nails, non-toxic, water-based paint on the treads that came highly recommended by professional painters and several friends who have had great luck with it on their stairs. It’s called ArmorSeal Tread-Plex and it’s available at Sherwin-Williams. We painted everything about a month ago, and we go up and down our stairs in our shoes all the time. So far, the paint hasn’t chipped or gotten dirty. Yahoo! I do have to sweep them once a week now (vs. once a month…don’t judge!) because the color is lighter than it was before. But here’s why that’s okay: a) I like the color now (I didn’t like the reddish orange-toned wood at ALL) and b) sweeping once a week keeps them cleaner than just acting like the dust and hair isn’t there (which is what I had gotten into the habit of doing before).
I toned down our reddish orange-toned handrail by using a product called Cerusing Wax by Amy Howard.
I love how it coordinates with our (pecan-toned) flooring so much better now. Seems like Kit-Cat enjoys the view more these days too. 😉
It’s been a while since I snapped an updated photo of our kitchen, so I’d like to do that this week too. Maybe I’ll try to share it here on Friday? I want to start my “5 Instagram Photos That Stopped Me In My Scroll” series on Wednesdays back up too, so I hope to “see” you again then!
Layla
Kris
Was wondering how you were doing! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures.
Layla
You are so welcome, Kris! I’ll be back with some more soon. I hope you are doing well too!
Shelley from Northern California
So great to “hear” from you again! Glad you’re keeping busy & safe. I would’ve never guessed in a 1000 yrs you were having agoraphobia challenges. A friend of mine has had it for a very long time. It’s no joke! Hang in there Layla.
Stairs & railing look beautiful. Can’t wait to see your kitchen & everything else. You inspire so many of us! My bathroom & kitchen upgrades are so pretty because of your website, blog, posts, etc… Thank you for bringing such beauty our way!
Layla
Thank you, Shelley. I hope all is well where you are! And I’m sorry to hear your friend has struggled with agoraphobia too. 🙁 It’s so frustrating. Especially now. I see folks all over the world talking about all the fun things they’re going to do when this “stay home” thing ends and, right now, I can’t relate to that enthusiasm at all. I hope to be able to one day, but sometimes it almost seems impossible that I’ll ever feel like my old (panic-free) self again. *sigh*
Anywhoobs, enough about that. I’m super grateful to be surrounded by folks who love me, and it’s so fun to know you’re with us here too! 🙂 You put a big smile on my face and I look forward to connecting with you again real soon!
Tessie Wakefeild
Beautiful transformation! Wow so talented!
Cindy@CountyRoad407
Glad to hear all is well in your home! The stairs look fantastic! We have the same colored handrail so I’m definitely trying out that AH Wax. Thanks for sharing that. I laughed out loud at Kit-Cat too. Love it! Stay healthy!
Layla
Thank you, Cindy! So fun to see your name pop up here today! 😀
Jo
Love the color and the clean fresh look. I might try this since we have a back door step that is white and always looks dirty, but scuffed and scratched. Thanks for listing the source.
I tend to be a germaphobe. I suspect you are doing grocery pick up or delivery. We do grocery pick up and love it. I started wiping down all grocery packaging with bleach water before bringing into house due to handling, sneezing and coughing in stores. I toss the bags while outside. I’m not buying any fresh fruits or veggies that I can’t wash with soapy water. And no fresh pastries etc. (who baked them and how were they handled). Prayers for our country. God bless you and yours.
Jo
Layla
We’re doing the same, Jo. A lot of extra work, but definitely worth the peace of mind.
Lin
Layla,
Off the subject, but watching Stee & Me has been the bright star in my day when you post. He is just darling!
On the subject… did you sand or strip your handrail before waxing? It looks awesome and something I’d like to do during the quarantine.
Thanks for all you do and just for being you!
Layla
Yaaaaaaay! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying “Stee & Me” too! Creating with him is the highlight of my week right now! 😀
And, yes, I did strip my handrail before waxing, but I really don’t know if I needed to. Check out this post to see what I mean:
https://www.maisondepax.com/how-to-get-raw-wood-look/
Thanks for your kind comment and I hope to catch up with you again here soon!
Dianne
Good to hear from you. Was missing your posts! Glad you all are staying safe.
Layla
Thank you, Dianne. I sure am feeling the love here today and I look forward to connecting with you more this month! 🙂
Karlene
Thankful to hear you all are well ! Missed hearing from you. Beautiful color on the stairs . Good tip about stair paint from SW, Thanks!
Stay safe!
Layla
Thank you, Karlene! It’s so fun connecting with you again! 🙂
Amy
Thank you for this helpful, useful, wonderful stairs update post! It looks great.
I, too, am in an orange-y wood nightmare with mine. Please tell us more about the cerusing wax technique. How did you apply it? It’s hard to tell in the photo but does it more or less turn the wood paler and whiter? Any tips would be appreciated.
Thanks! Amy
Layla
Awww, thanks Amy. 🙂 As for the cerusing wax, I used Citristrip to remove most of the stain on the handrail first, then applied two coats of the wax per the instructions on the bottle. I’m not sure I really needed to use the Citristrip though. Check out this tutorial to see why:
https://www.maisondepax.com/how-to-get-raw-wood-look/
Julie barnes
Thanks for sharing, always interesting. Stay safe.
Layla
Thank you, Julie! 🙂
Tammie
What a timely post! Now I’ve learned about two products to try on my stairs (including garage steps) and the handrail going up the stairs. Thanks for posting!
Layla
You’re so welcome, Tammie! Good luck with your project!
Stahli
So glad that you came back!! The stairs look really good painted. I’ve been thinking about painting our but haven’t taken the leap yet.
I completely understand about not going out to get food. I have been struggling with that idea for a while now. We have been doing pick-ups for groceries for the last few times, I haven’t been inside a store for almost a month! How are you getting yours? Are you doing delivery? Thank you for returning…now I must click over to Instagram to “see” what you two have going on.
Layla
Hi Stahli!
We’ve been using Shipt’s grocery delivery service and, of course, we’ll still loving our meals from Home Chef.
I hope you enjoy “Stee & Me”! 😀
Leslie
Very happy to have read your post and do so hope you are feeling better. I love your staircase. I fought with cherry brown everywhere in a little house we bought in France (I live in London). Eventually I painted everything including stairs, doors and the fireplace surround!
I’ll pay a visit to Instagram for sure. I do live his smile!
All the best xx
Layla
Thank you for e-visiting today, Leslie! I can hardly wait to visit your neck of the world when this pandemic is done!
Allie
I love your green stairs! They fit your home perfectly!
Layla
Thank you, Allie! We’ve really enjoyed them! 😀
Sandie Peters Heagle
I’ve missed you! So glad you and your family are well. Stay safe. Looking forward to seeing your posts again!
Layla
Thank you, Sandie! I hope you and yours are well this week too!
Lin
So happy to hear all of you are well and staying in! God Bless you all!
I loved seeing Kit-Cat again!! fell for that baby when you first told the story!!
Take care.
Layla
Thank you, Lin! What an adventure that was! 😀
Dorothy
Very nice, like the colour and especially the handrail. I had a lot of that orange toned wood in my house as well and was so happy to paint it out. I like that you were able to tone down the colour on the handrail but keep the wood tone.
Always look forward to seeing your posts. Keep you and your family safe.
Nancy Cox
I have missed you so much. So glad to hear from you again. Praying for you sweet lady. God is bigger than all our anxieties. I can sure relate.
Gaile
The stairs look amazing, now I need to talk my husband in to doing ours lol. Stay well.
Judy Ennis
I’ve been wondering about you. Missing your regular posts. So happy you all are safe and healthy! Keep us posted. And take good care!
Layla
Thank you, Judy! I share several video posts every day on Instagram stories, so that keeps me pretty busy, but it was fun to *type* a story out here today too! 😀
Kathy McD
Love the new color on your stairs and I’ve also been loving Stee & Me. Just can’t get enough of that little cutie!
Debbie
So glad y’all are doing well. Your stairs look great like everything you do! So glad you are going to start back if the five pics that stopped you in your tracks. That is what started me on instagram which I really enjoy. I will pray for your struggle.
Dana
Glad you and your family are well. I have missed your “5 Things..” weekly. I am excited to hear it’s coming back!
Cindy Rust
I absolutely LOVE the new look to your stairs!! The whole area looks as though you turned on a light! The colors are perfect for your home. We painted stairs in our previous home with a marine type of paint (I can’t remember the name because it was about 30 years ago!!). Anyway, they lasted forever! I am going to hang out here on your blog for awhile – I am dying to read some more posts!!
Nikki
Thanks for posting Layla! I went to clean out my email in-box and realized your blog emails are the ones I save. You cover things that so many of us are interested in. I have ones where you’ve talked about Dorset to your favorite books and in between. Thank you for the time you spend putting these together and for introducing me to Kate Morton, I’ve now had to time to read 3 of her books. Stay safe and I will pray that your anxiety decreases, I too once suffered from debilitating panic attacks and anxiety.