Home Decorating - I need ideas from creative ppl!

[Attila the Honey]

I had no idea where to post this.. I figured crafty, arty, creative types might see it in here?

I have a stairwell coming up to my apartment that is BORING. There are about 20 steps going up to a landing that is about 4' X 4' with a window overlooking the backyard. Then the steps turn right and there are another 4 or 5 into my apartment. This stairwell isn't heated. Right now the steps are dark brown and the walls are white, but we will be painting.

I hate that the first thing you see when you come into my house is so ugly and blah. I want to paint it a pretty color and decorate it somehow, but I am totally lost. HELP?

[siddie]

I always love the feeling of atrium entries so what about trying to create that? Paint the walls a soothing green and add some creative lighting. Check out Home Depot for cheap ideas like possibly some of the rope lights that you can do a lot with. Try making a personal tile mosaic picture on the wall (Welcome with your favorite flowers incorporated) or colorfull tiles on the steps. YOu can use silk grape vines to trail along the bannister. Add some hanging plants, a window box and a wall fountain and voila, you are feng-shued too!

[Kari_mom]

I think it would be fun to write some sort of message on the stair risers to read as you go up. Browse signature lines here for ideas, then you can tell your DP its research!

[AnnR33]

You can do so much with paint! Try a 2 tone affect up the stairs-bottom half one color, top half another and you could do some stenciling/stamping at the corners, border, etc. I like the idea of the atrium area at the landing with the window-adding a hanging basket or having some planters on the landing would be very inviting.
I'm sure there are some great family pictures, posters, etc that would look great too along the stairs!
Good luck
Ann

[lunchbox]

I would paint the walls a very bright color (red or purple) and stair step some black and white photos framed in black frames. Make the photos small with large mattes.

I love the idea of painting on the risers too. You could pick individual words and stencil each one in a different font.

[lupineperriwinkle]

Whatever you decide to do make sure you get at least 3 paint chip samples of each colour to hang up before you decide on a colour. What looks really nice at the store and on one wall in a room can look like serious baby poo on another wall because of how the sun shines in and due to shadows. Put paint chips on all of the surfaces and spend a few days looking at them before you spend any money. Let's just say I have learned this lesson well!

[ladywolf]

Hang tapestries! You could either hang pretty colors of fabric or dye muslin or even find something like a celtic scarf. Or you could be ambitious and weave or crochet a tapestry instead.