Why in the hallways painted the edges of steps

In old houses left over from Soviet times, housing workers still paint the corners of the steps on the stairways. Where did the tradition has gone? Is there lurks some sacred meaning or hidden behind the little things that are not visible at first sight?

The same type of wall - and conceived?

At the entrances of old houses repair looks made a blueprint: blue or green walls to shoulder height, above there is a whitewash. Railing and edges are painted in brownish-red or greenish, with a staircase is decorated in a way symmetrically on both sides.

All shades of khaki, used in the standard Soviet repair justify the abundance of green paint after the war.

Colors practical, tend to accumulate grease, perfectly hide the flaws of the work of inexperienced painter. Whitewashing visually expands the space and increases the height of the ceiling. Everything is logical, yet eye falls on the edges of steps.

The search for the correct answer ended enchanting versions!

Hides the following poor performance painter

The first version offers such a scenario: the workers were painting sloppy, leaving a drop on the floor. Oil paint to rub hard, it's easier to paint. Not the most plausible explanation, because during the repairs can be spread even if the newspaper! Flaws remain on them and not on the stairs.

Redecorating

Given the popularity and prevalence of the method, There is reason to assume regulatory requirements. Concrete stairs and wall at the intersection form a slit and being embedded plaster. Now primed plaster, the material does not pylil and previously used varnish. Top is covered with oil paint. The result is a sealed seam sealing, and now will not get the water and dirt in it. The second strip of paint on the opposite side is done only for the sake of symmetry. Perhaps this is another version of our piggy bank, which explains the popular puzzle.

Less work cleaning woman

With painted surface is easier to sweep and wash away dirt. Rubbish "loves" accumulate in corners and smooth stairway will remove access quickly. The entire span painted counterproductive: in places of constant circulation paint erased remain unsightly abrasions. With such a design does not show traces of dirty shoe.

Tried to visually correct the curved walls

Panel construction never rule out the curves of the walls. This kind of designer that allows you to build houses quickly and cheaply. In older homes meet the curves panel until the arcuate products that create a smooth turns. Or during construction that something could go wrong, the wall rose diagonally. Case scenario, a lot, and eventually Soviet citizens received apartments with curved corners. The curvature of the stairwell concealed using plaster and paints.

Design Idea

It is likely that some of the workers of the Soviet housing department decided to dilute the grayness of the entrance. We painted the walls to facilitate the work of cleaners and conceal flaws, but on the opposite side of a flat strip made for symmetry. At that time, too, we loved to direct beauty and appreciate the aesthetics of the space!

clue

Note the Soviet steps, from which they are made. The composition walked concrete and marble chips. After polishing such a composition looks unattractive. Even the white speck is not saved! For people with poor eyesight gray ladder merges into one big blur, making it difficult to climb and descend. The paint on the edges becomes a guiding light, ensuring the safety of movement on the porch.

The method has acquired a huge scale. I introduce it everywhere on the Soviet Union. In any typical developments of the time and you can still find the familiar repairs.

There could be a rug

And for a snack is the most interesting version of the origin of the mysterious custom:earlier in the hallways of the stele carpets. Edges painted, and the middle of a securely covered. Just remember Bulgakov and the immortal creation of "Heart of a Dog": "Why have removed the carpet from the main staircase?". Before the revolution, the carpets on the stairs of luxury apartment houses of wealthy people met very often, maybe from there and came to the tradition?

It meets a legend that in a normal house at any moment could arrivea senior official. Prior to his visit Stel red carpet, and paint at the edges is designed to disguise the dullness of stages, so that it does not cut the eye carelessness.

Painted edges of steps actually pursues all these versions, combining the practical side of the issue, and the flight of creative thought.