What to do with this street find
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Today outside my building I saw this staircase on the street and it's all I can think about today because I know you hometalkers would come up with something amazing for it. Due to my lack of imagination I'm putting it up to you. What do you think I could do with this? Also any ideas for getting it up to the second floor of my building and what materials I'd need to cut it or anything would be great. It is super rusty but I know I could do something amazing with it!
59 answers
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These too cool to pass up. I am assuming you live in an apartment , as you mentioned a 2n floor. Also how are you transporting it? They seem like they would make some great sort of shelving or bookcase. Can you bring them in via a window or fire escape? Does your building have a service or freight elevator. I should not say this as I have two twenty something children in apartments, but is this something your parents could store until you have a different space? Please post when you are done.
Sharon Kavanagh
on Jun 19, 2014
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I think it would be so cool if you could make it into a shelving unit somehow. I'm not sure if it would work, because I would have to be there myself to look at it, but if it would work...I would cut the whole stare case in half and put each half on either side of the wall. No doubt you will need to attach some wood, metal or glass on what would be the top side of the step to create the actual shelf. It would be one of a kind for sure!
Melissa Dawn Terrel
on Jun 19, 2014
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OH MY, be still my heart, that is so cool. a stairway to heaven in my shade garden, so jealous.
Debbi W
on Jun 19, 2014
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If you can't use it, call your locale school that has a art program. They would love the donation. I'd love to see water coming down the stairs.
Carole Alden
on Jun 19, 2014
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I would definitely use it in the garden as a plant stand attached to a fence or the house
R.s. Anderson
on Jun 19, 2014
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you would need a grinder and a cut off wheel. or a torch. so cool if you had a tree and use it for steps, and place plant pots on it. or maybe a vining plant on the patio.
Kathy Bainter
on Jun 19, 2014
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Heddy Frank, Winter Garden, FL I would cut it to measure the height of your tallest wall, using the bottom steps, as from the photo, they appear to be the curviest. Leaving the finish just as it is, I would have long rectangular strips of mirror cut to fit each step, leaving about a 3" border all around. Attach the glass to each step with liquid nails or some comparable industrial adhesive. Then attach it flush with the wall at the corner of the wall, so that the bottom step is closest to the ceiling. The installation will give a spectacular depth to the room, and reflect any light source in the area! If you do this, be sure to post a photo! Remember, the beauty of this is that you can cut it right where it is outside, making it easier to transport. Be sure to save the extras for another project,
Heddy F
on Jun 20, 2014
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Call one of those companies that reclaim wood & other objects and see if they are interested in collecting it and either using it or cutting it into manageable pieces to use as shelves. It would be very interesting to hang about 4-5 steps that curve out away from the wall....?????
Jeanette S
on Jun 20, 2014
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staircase to a tree house would be cool or staircase steps in a garden. Looks pretty big to put in a apartment if that is where you live.
Joanie J
on Jun 20, 2014
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Unless you live in a loft apartment...this really needs outdoor space. I know it's really quite heavy, shame to cut it,..offer it for sale and buy something less cumbersome for your space.
153091
on Jun 20, 2014
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Would make a nice plant stand.
Batmansboy Too
on Jun 20, 2014
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It would make an awesome gardening area for pots or a basement bookcase. Truly wish it was outside of my house!
Mare Fairchild
on Jun 20, 2014
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Vertical garden element, interior shelving, horizontal partition for living space or garden backdrop perhaps. What a lovely piece! Whatever you decide, please share your finished product.
Diane V.
on Jun 20, 2014
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My first thought was a plant stand and the second is a bookshelf. I also thougha a permanent "ladder" to the roof. I love the treehouse idea. Also if you have room a kitchen open pantry and cook book stand. A funky serving stand in a dinning room. The choices are endless. If you have a two story house, a deck staircase to the back yard a private entrance to up stairs bedrooms or a fire escape to back yard. I so want your find.
Carol
on Jun 20, 2014
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This would make an awesome framed photo gallery. Perhaps a family wall? Obviously would need a lot of work and a big space. I could see it on a wall next to an existing staircase in a huge entryway.
Susi Schuele
on Jun 20, 2014
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In a corner of a room with the top leading to a painted on wall 'imaginary' escape door. Stack books, pics, plants on stairs. Or a theme leading to the escape door
Springspalm
on Jun 20, 2014
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Springspalm, I liked your idea best of all.
Le'
on Jun 20, 2014
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You are a lucky dog! That is awesome! Love the idea of the photo gallery.
Debra mock
on Jun 20, 2014
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I can see trailing plants and succulents. This would make a terrific wall display if you have the room for it. Springspalm has the right idea!
Karen Sheilds
on Jun 20, 2014
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I would grind and sand the majority of the rust off. Then I would paint it a flat gray (my house is white with a gray tile roof). I would epoxy mirrors to every other step, set it up, even partially buried at the ends, so that it archs over the koi pond and use it as a backdrop for the plantings in that corner of the garden.
Sauve
on Jun 20, 2014
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If you have a cat it would be a perfect cat ladder after cleaning and sealing. I agree about using it for a display shelf for pictures, books, or other treasures.
Kelly S
on Jun 20, 2014
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Springspalm has a great idea...I would call it a stairway to Heaven :)
Shari Veater
on Jun 20, 2014
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This is great, I would paint some sort of theme on each rung, then hang it on a patio wall. How unique would that be?
Brenda
on Jun 20, 2014
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I kinda like the rusty look, but it would depend on the rest of your decor as to whether or not you should leave it that way. I would mix it up with plants, books, antiques and photos. Have fun!
Kris Schwarz
on Jun 20, 2014
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Curve could be a challenge space wise if used inside. People have given a lot of great ideas.
Marion Nesbitt
on Jun 20, 2014
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I think you'd have to have a blow-torch (at least) to do any cutting of that metal, but feel it would be somehow sinful to do that because the piece is just beautiful as it is. With a large enough space, it would be beautiful displayed alone or as springspalm suggested, as part of a statement.
Kate pighetti
on Jun 20, 2014
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This is a beautiful art piece just as it is!
Chel
on Jun 20, 2014
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I don't know what it would take to prevent further rusting, but I would use it as an outside element. It would look really, really cool put upright leading onto a large tree limb. But not an element to be used, only decorative. I think I would put fairies on the stairs leading into the tree.
Dee Toomey
on Jun 20, 2014
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Book shelves!
Ann
on Jun 20, 2014
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It looks cool to me just as is. As a cool sculpture for outside. Or if you were so inclined you could paint it a bright color and stand it up as a sculpture for inside or out?
Kristen Zebley-Bossert
on Jun 20, 2014
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I'm so jealous of your find . Lots of people on here with a ton of neat things to do with it . What ever you of with it , it'll look great
Matty watts
on Jun 20, 2014
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I would put some plants on it, either inside or out.
Trish
on Jun 20, 2014
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as is jusb cleaned up ,maybe as a nick nack shelf or for plants or books.
Lori T
on Jun 21, 2014
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maybe take a tool to it that leaves those swish marks and its all shiny but it needs to be treated with something so it doesn't rust if you are going to use it out doors.
Lori T
on Jun 21, 2014
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talk to somebody who has a body shop.
Lori T
on Jun 21, 2014
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I see a prehistoric animal tail or spine maybe incorporate it into your garden adding some extra metal bits to create your own dragon or reptile ornament
Lyn
on Jun 21, 2014
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I'm not quite sure what to do w/ that, but my brains would be spinning for sure!!! What an awesome & unique find!!!!
Trey LaParque
on Jun 21, 2014
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WOW, WHAT A GREAT FIND... I'D GET IT BROKE DOWN INTO TWO SECTIONS AND PLACE FLOWERS CASCADING AROUND SAY A WATER POND OR PORCH ... HAVE FUN , WHAT A GREAT PROJECT
JUDY.P
on Jun 21, 2014
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I'm not sure how tall this thing is or how high your ceilings are, but here is my inside idea: I would be tempted to paint a mural on my ceiling...something that looks otherworldly and yet heavenly. Maybe sneak in some glow in the dark stars that will not show in the daytime...like a stairway to heaven. Put plants near the base of it and old photos up the steps....outside, it would make a phenomenal stairway to an adult tree house, or a stairway leading nowhere like in a Salvador Dali painting...the possibilities are endless!
Therese C
on Jun 21, 2014
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Have wired brushed and use for family tree photos as one piece if fits in home r 2 piece and do your family on one and hubbies on other..would be beautiful on each side of a fireplace!
Vickie McCartha
on Jun 21, 2014
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I would soooo use it inside to show off a collection of some kind..or outside with plants(potted) and/or viney. NICE piece/find!
Connie Barrier-Brueser
on Jun 21, 2014
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It looks very heavy...super cool though! Ideas to get it upstairs....a few big strong men :)
Cathy Kurpil
on Jun 21, 2014
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plants.
Joedean Small
on Jun 21, 2014
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I love it as is - used as a garden sculpture. Unless you have super strong walls and good anchors, it would be too heavy indoors or outdoors.
Mary Davin
on Jun 21, 2014
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So you live on a second floor? Is there a balcony? maybe it could be attached to the railing of a balcony and spiral upward to the side of the building... and used for plants outdoors... OR you could do the same thing inside the house in a corner .. If possible id leave it all one piece, or cut it into two pieces the same size to make matching stands.
Buster Evans
on Jun 21, 2014
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I think it would be great in a living area with the stairs running all the way up to the ceiling. You could use it as a book shelf or it would make a great place for plants! Awesome find!
Jessica C
on Jun 21, 2014
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I could definitely see this used as a water feature in a garden, even if you had to cut down in size. Very cool piece.
Sandy
on Jun 21, 2014
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steps going to a tree house would be cool, please send pictures of what you do with it. could be a stairway y to heaven
Darlene Clonts
on Jun 21, 2014
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I love it i sure would of taken to i would need some thinking for sure but would use in craft room for sure
Merrilyn merkley
on Jun 21, 2014
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You mean to tell me this stairs are just sitting there. I think before I start figuring out what to do with it, I would find out who they belong to.
Martha Mothershed
on Jun 22, 2014
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I agree with Martha, It may not be in your best interest to just take a random staircase, chances are it belongs to someone who is going to use it.Staircases are not one of those things that you really see out on the curb, I'd leave it.
Yvonne
on Jun 22, 2014
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Do you know anyone who welds? They could cut it for you if need be. To get it inside, maybe use large rope some strong friends and pull it up the balcony if it is clear and no windows below. You would need to be careful of it swinging around.....Good luck!!! It is a cool piece. If you can't get it inside, maybe you can use it outside, prop it up somehow...
Debra Grieve
on Jun 22, 2014
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yard art plant stand scrap metal 13.00 for hundred pounds if u have a truck still if u have a year great yard art fire excape if u have w story house i would ask first it may b part of renovation
Sandra Urquhart
on Jun 22, 2014
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Books shelf
Connie Jean
on Jun 23, 2014
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I could imagene it as a bookshelf, a bar or as a flower stand.
Chr80834
on Jun 23, 2014
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How about a shoe rack.
Chris
on Jun 23, 2014
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Make sure no one owns this beautiful piece of art! I would not make it shelves. It is lovely as it is.
Chel
on Jun 23, 2014
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did you ever do anything with these stairs?
Lea Grossman
on Jan 29, 2015
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In a small boutique in my nearby town, there is a staircase that is in place and ends on the ceiling with a long framed mirror screwed to the ceiling to be the "opening" to the second floor. Your mind tells you that you can walk up to the second floor, but there is no second floor. They display unusual decor objects on the stair treads. It could work in a small one story apartment making it look like there was more space upstairs.
Chris
on Jan 12, 2016
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