Step by Step

After over a month of no relaxing weekends you'd think I'd be done with projecting for a while.  But I've always wanted to do something to the ugly, dirty, carpet covered steps that are the first thing you see when walking into my home.  These pictures are proof that stairs do not have to be purely functional.  My favorites are probably the  Je Monte, Tu Montes, Il Monte, Nous Montons, which means I climb, you climb, he climbs, we climb - so great - and the numbered one.  I'm thinking for my house that I'd probably try more of the style in the other picture, though, with the painted/stained step and the under portion either painted/wallpapered/tiled.  I kind of love the idea of backsplash type tiles.  No matter what I do, there will definitely be a satisfaction in ripping up the disgusting carpet first!  What are your thoughts?

(some of the pictures from Apartment Therapy, which also has some other great stairwell designs)