Comments on: Painting My Stairwell without Dying

By: Sandy Evers

Sandy Evers — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 13:05:41 +0000

Thank you for posting this! I have the same issue and was looking for a solution without having to hire someone to paint it for me. Now just to get over the fact that I hate using the extension ladder!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 10:02:48 +0000

It turned out a good result, despite the fact that the wall is very high. I would definitely not have climbed to such a height with a brush in my hands. For such work, I use the services of this wall painting company.

By: Iris

Iris — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 22:46:02 +0000

Can you tell me how I can solve my vertigo?
Thanks for the ladder tip!

By: Heather French

Heather French — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 00:42:27 +0000

what is that gorgeous color.in your entryway????

By: Christina

Christina — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 18:02:46 +0000

Hi there!!
I really enjoy your blog and your way with words :) I live in St. Paul in a 100+ year old house, am working on so many similar things as you but not as DIY capable or creative :) . I have been dying to see how the stairwell/hallway turned out as I have a very similar conundrum, have you posted photos? Forgive me if you did and I missed them. I was looking at the same light fixture too but can’t quite figure out how it will actually translate.
Also, you should know you have inspired me to finally paint my dining room (with all the unpainted wood trim I am learning to love) black !
Thank you for sharing your talent and wit!

By: Susan

Susan — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 00:10:56 +0000

They actually DO make a ladder that you can adjust. They sell it at home depot for around $265? That felt way too expensive for me so I found the exact same ladder on fb market place for $100. Still a lot for a ladder, but I get asked to paint split entry homes with 2 storey entries over stairwells a LOT for my painting business. The ladder is a beast but it does just what I need it to. I also use a brush clamp on the end of an extension pole for really high spots. Takes practice to master a 12 foot brush pole but it can be done. I also use an extension pole for rolling. The right tools really help. And nobody dies!

By: PaulaC

PaulaC — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 16:58:19 +0000

It’s not just falling, it’s falling while holding paint! Good on ya, Scoops. I am impressed beyond words, as usual– excellent cut in lines.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 23:17:28 +0000

That is the kind of thing I am happy to pay someone else to do. Whoa Scoops!

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 20:19:03 +0000

In reply to Linda Carroll. Thank you, Linda! So nice of you to say :)

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 20:18:29 +0000

In reply to Ellen. Good question, the door did lead to another set of stairs that went down through our kitchen. If you're familiar with our kitchen, the stairs came out in what is now our coffee station. Thankfully they left it with a narrow depth, and we use it as a game closet.

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 20:09:08 +0000

In reply to Kari. Haha! Glad I'm putting something useful out into the world.

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 20:07:56 +0000

In reply to Steff. I like to use a flat, especially with the textured wall. In some of these photos the paint is wet, so don't be fooled. I also want to say, the Farrow & Ball paint (which is what this is) has a standard sheen called 'Estate Emulsion' (because they are fancy like that), but it does look really nice.

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 20:05:19 +0000

In reply to Ashley - The Gold Hive. Thank you, also happy i didn't die.

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 20:03:52 +0000

In reply to Sasha. Oh no! Painting can be risky business. It was nice of you to do that for your folks!

By: Linda Carroll

Linda Carroll — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 19:24:22 +0000

I can’t believe all the work you e done …it looks beautiful

By: Ellen

Ellen — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 17:42:25 +0000

It looks really nice. That’s pretty crazy it was so hard to find a ladder for the stairs. I’ll have to remember to come back to this post if I ever paint my stairway.
does the door at the stairway landing lead to another set of stairs? Like a maid’s stairway?

By: Kari

Kari — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 17:03:46 +0000

A post the internet actually needs! You nailed it. Glory!!!!

By: Steff

Steff — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 16:18:26 +0000

I am SO into this post. Thank you! Also I have been meaning to ask: what finish do you use for your dark paint colors?? Is it flat or eggshell? It looks SO GOOD.

By: Ashley - The Gold Hive

Ashley - The Gold Hive — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 16:12:01 +0000

I’m so glad you didn’t die and so glad your stairwell is now a kick ass color.

By: Sasha

Sasha — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 15:30:45 +0000

It looks fantastic! That Ladder-Aide contraption is a stroke of blooming genius. Wish I’d had one a few months ago when I painted my parents’ entryway. (I had to stand with one foot on the top step of the ladder and the other on the top of a built-in bookcase. It was a TERRIBLE idea!)