February 3rd, 2009
Go Forth and Multiply
It’s amazing how a little design idea can snowball into something bigger, especially in one’s own head. Maryam had suggested a stair riser project similar to the one that we did last May in the 3 bedroom quest house (which I will share next…..). “If you could just do three different patterns and we could alternate them it would be great”, she said. I think she knows me too well by now! Of course three patterns simply wouldn’t do, as I told you here.

How about 22 patterns, one unique for each stair riser? Well….OK! So, the paint-covered, used stencils piled up….

…..as the ladies (here Heather and Margaret) took their time stenciling by a roaring fire to make sure that each was perfect….

….and they are….

….filling up a large dining table and waiting for Chris to CAREFULLY install them on the wooden staircase he has built.

I imagine that they will look something like this photo from Cottage Living, which shows black and white patterns done on riser with tile. Most of these stencil patterns will be available shortly through Royal Design Studio (some in larger scales), and they will be equally lovely done in the classic bright tile colors of Morocco.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I hope you and your crew have the best year ever ! You can never get enough praise and good wishes, Melanie and Company. Well done !
February 4th, 2009 at 7:01 am
I love the variety of patterns, all in black and white! While I have no stairs myself in my home, I am eyeing a nice flight in my brother’s home that I may just have to practice on…. Love seeing everyone’s hard work and wonderful results from your latest trip. You should all be quite proud of yourselves for your over-the-top, creative talents!
February 4th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Wow, it looks great! I was wondering what the name of the stencil on the top of the “pile” in the third pic is called? It looks like a Moorish/Arabic pattern with a star in the middle.
February 4th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
oh my gosh! Can’t wait to see the finished stairs. And more! Must see more pictures — you and Maryam aren’t posting them quickly enough for my vicarious satisfaction
February 5th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Melanie: Really cool. But you are bordering on cruelty now, until you have these patterns for sale. It’s just too much.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Totally awesome!! I can’t wait to order my own!! You two brainstorming together are dangerous!!! Just a beautiful job. I also just love the work that all the peacock designers did to bring your design of Rateau totally alive. Just stunning!!
Jan
February 10th, 2009 at 10:40 am
What was the material that the pre-cut risers were made from? It looks like it made the stenciling job so much easier to do. Was the tread polished stone or concret? Great combination.
February 10th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Kim-the risers were cut from thin wood. You could also use masonite. I think that the stair treads are wood too.
February 14th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Was it a Balsawood? Were they finished in place or applied to an existing riser?
February 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
No, I think it was just a thin, select plywood. You could also use masonite.
March 19th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Fabulously beautiful work! I LOVE stencils but have not thought about them for a long while. Thanks for bringing back the ideas!
Linda
February 12th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
i would love to see the finished staircase. did you post a picture already?
thanks, rose
February 12th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
The final project picture will be in Maryam’s upcoming book-and they are not letting it be published anywhere else until then. I will post then the book comes out. She is just finishing up the writing on it so it won’t be in the very near future unfortunately. Meanwhile, you can see just a sliver here….http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/my_marrakesh/2009/10/a-marrakech-tale-or-a-peek-at-a-corner-in-my-home.html
March 19th, 2010 at 11:23 am
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August 31st, 2010 at 10:22 am
I’m really to be finally posting online after all these years. There really is no mystery about it, is there? I just dropped by your blog and had to write. I’m a recent college grad, journalism major if you must know, and I absolutely love photography. I’ve got my site up but it’s nothing to boast about yet. None of my stuff’s been posted. Soon as I figure out how to do that, I’ll spend the afternoon posting my best pictures. anyways just thought I’d drop a line. I hope to return with more substantial stuff, stuff you can actually use. SPG