yes, the wood walls will be painted in the spring/summer but it will just be a white-wash of sorts.

The wood-covered walls are making the foyer feel closed in. Painting the spindles black is not going to help the foyer. I'd remove the wood paneling and paint the walls white or, at the very least, paint the paneling. You really need new carpet on the stairs, too. Then see about the spindles.

I would take the railing off and use 1/2" glass from floor to ceiling or use stand off for a glass railing. This way there is no obstruction and it will open the feeling of space. Also I would put mirror closet door to help with make it look bigger

Have you considered removing the wrought iron? Open views from inside / out would help expand the space.

I suggest removing the wood paneling, like Dytecture. It is very rustic and dated, while the railing and door are more traditional. Also, a warmer carpet color on the stairs would help. What is on the foyer floor? What color is the door painted? Now that the handrail is darker you my need to paint the pickets. I'm not so sure about the two-tone stain.

The wood will probably be white washed of sorts in the spring/summer. The floor is marble. Door is mahogany. that is my question. Should I paint the pickets to match a black wrought iron which is also on the front door?

Paint the railing black and the spindles white.

Agree with Craig on painting and dclostboy on removing the wrought iron from the door. The furry carpet on the stairs has to go IMO. Once you whitewash the walls you may want to consider painting the closet doors and their trim black to match the rest of the doors and trim in this area.

I still think the space looks like it's from two (even 3) different planets. Painting the pickets won't change that. Painting the pickets black won't make them look like iron and it won't help the spaciousness of the space. They should either match the handrail or be painted white. The black glossy railing would be okay if the front door is painted black, but you said it was mahogany, right? An iron chandelier and your iron hardware help tie the iron on the door into the scheme. Some area rugs would be a nice addition.

I agree; the spindles is not going to do much for the space, focus on updating the walls and floors, than consider painting the spindles white.

Just keep it simple and paint it all to match the door. It will all make it come together and look beautiful.

I would remove the wood paneling, paint a light warm neutral color in its place, and add a wrought iron railway to the stairs. The door and railing would look rich together! This would really unite the area.

I think painting them charcoal color is a good idea. It won't make the space look small. Black can make things visual "disappear"

paint spindles black, remove carpet on stairs, and stain treads or paint them, to match railing, the paneling is so busy, it really needs to go. all the weird angles, the busy flooring all add up to make the area seem more inclosed. I would remove the flooring also, in a light porcelain tile that will mimic wood, with min grout, staining the wood will not help much, as all the different angles etc will be more noticeable. New sheet rock, paint in a nice neutral will bring out the beautiful door.

Thank you everyone! Great ideas!!! Carpet it totally outta here but it will be in the summer. I love the idea of staining the treads on the steps the same color as the railing. There is never exposed oak under that carpet. I am not sure if the photos are clear enough but the railing is stained mahogany which is the same stain as the front door. White spindles I love but I am not sure it will go with the rest of my home. I think the white spindles have more of a traditional look and my home is more old world charm/tuscan feel to it. The thought about taking the cedar off of the walls scares me. Our home is over 60years old and we have done some renovations on it. When we got rid of our small patio they actually filled 2 dumpsters of concrete because once we started digging we found 4 other concrete patios underneath! Wrought Iron can not be removed. It is between the glass panels in the door. I would not mind staining the trim around the doors the same as the railing. I had thought of that idea. But I was just concerned there is too much going on in this room! As for the light, absolutely will be changed to a wrought iron - spring.