Watch Kirstie for some great ideas

I've been catching up recently on some back programmes of Kirstie's Homemade Home on Channel 4 (Tuesday at 8pm) and came across the one about the Victorian heap in Wolverhampton, with a truly dingy staircase. I must admit I've warmed to Kirstie - she does give an insight into some long-forgotten crafts and is prepared to have a go herself.  I was particularly impressed that she decided to fit proper, solid brass stair rods on the renovated staircase, which just looked fabulous against the Crucial Trading stair runner.

The rods she chose were the Premier Hanover, which are a classic design made by Stairrods (UK), with a smart pencil finial (end).  In polished brass finish they contrasted well with the dark wood staircase, but we also sell them in a variety of other finishes including the more contemporary satin brass, and chrome, satin nickel, black, antique brass and pewter.

Some home owners do not realise that you don't have to have the latest trendy runner to fit stair rods - if you have a fitted carpet then just select the FRONT FIX or SIDE FIX stair rod options, when you have chosen the design you like.  The front fix option has a different style of bracket, but looks almost exactly like a runner stair rod, whereas the side fix ones, just attach to your stringboard. I didn't spot Kirstie actually fitting them, on the programme, but it is simple, so long as you can use a screwdriver.

This is an example of a side fix Premier rod on a traditional Persian style carpet. Even a tired old carpet can be pepped up with a smart set of stair rods, and give it a new lease of life. And customers are always so relieved when they discover that each rod is lacquered, so that you don't even have to clean them, just a quick wipe down, now and then, and that's it!

So, if you are inspired to have a go at transforming your staircase with stair rods, in time for Christmas, then don't leave it too long, as most of them are made-to-measure and take at least a week to send out.