The newest craze sweeping un-carpeted steps everywhere, stair treads—like this set of four from Pottery Barn—let you feel at ease walking up and down wooden, stone or other slick-surface staircases.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: we were so lucky to move into a house that was in great shape when we started. But there were a few things I wanted to change. We ripped up the floor tile ...