The Intentional Home | Ep. 5: Knowing When to DIY and When to Hire It Out
- Erin Gore
- Mar 12
- 3 min read
Finishing the Stairwell: Knowing When to DIY and When to Hire It Out
Back in January, we partnered with Lowe’s to repaint the main living space of our home — the first update we tackled this year, and one that immediately shifted how these rooms feel day to day. That project also reminded us how important it is to think carefully about knowing when to DIY and when to hire it out when tackling updates around the home.
We chose HGTV by Sherwin-Williams Infinity paint in Bohemian Lace, a light, neutral color that connects our living room and dining room in a way that feels calm and cohesive throughout the day as the light changes.
But like most home projects, once we finished the main space, one area still remained unfinished: our two-story stairwell.
And that was the moment we had to make an important decision.
Knowing When to Do It Yourself
Painting the main floor was something we felt comfortable taking on ourselves. The rooms were accessible, manageable, and part of the everyday spaces we move through constantly.
But the stairwell was different.
With its two-story height and difficult angles, it quickly became clear that this was not a project we wanted to attempt ourselves on ladders or scaffolding. Sometimes the most intentional choice in a home project is knowing when a job is better left to professionals.
Adding an Accent Wall
While finishing the stairwell, we also decided to introduce something new to the space — an accent wall.
Because the stairwell is such a vertical area, it felt like the perfect opportunity to bring in a little more depth and contrast without overwhelming the rest of the home.
For that wall we chose HGTV by Sherwin-Williams Infinity paint in Clary Sage, a soft green that adds warmth and dimension while still feeling calm and natural alongside the lighter Bohemian Lace walls. The result is subtle but noticeable — a space that feels layered without feeling busy.
Finding the Right Team
Once we decided to hire the project out, we researched several painters in the area and came across Juda Builders, who consistently stood out for the quality of their work.
Even though our project was relatively small for them — just the stairwell and our main bathroom — they treated it with the same level of care and professionalism as a larger renovation.
Their team handled the height and angles of the stairwell safely and efficiently, and the finished result made the entire paint update finally feel complete.
The Final Piece of the Project
Seeing the stairwell finished tied everything together.
The Bohemian Lace walls keep the space light and cohesive with the rest of the main floor, while the Clary Sage accent wall adds just enough contrast to make the stairwell feel intentional rather than transitional.
Sometimes the biggest impact in a home comes from finishing the spaces that connect everything else.
A Note of Thanks
This project originally began through our partnership with Lowe’s, where we sourced the HGTV by Sherwin-Williams Infinity paint used throughout the space.
You can see the paint and supplies we used for the project here:
And we’re grateful to Juda Builders for helping bring the final piece of the project together safely and beautifully.
Home updates don’t always need to be dramatic to make a difference.
Often it’s simply about knowing when to take on a project yourself — and when to trust the right professionals to help finish it well.
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