All of those samples have a very traditional, Oriental look. I think much depends on the colors you plan to use in your furnishings. Is your overall palette going to be neutral and subdued, or do you want a bolder feel in your space?

I think they all look a bit narrow for your stairs. Runners do come in different widths, so I'd look for something wider. Nourison makes some nice ones, as well as Karastan ($$$ but will last forever!)

good question, auntjen. all of the furniture we have is neutral. The couch in the family room is a beige microfiber, coffee table is hand-hammered copper (very dark). no other items have been purchased yet as we will be moving from a VERY tiny apartment into this house that needs a whole lot more furniture and decorative pieces! So I'll be here a lot over the next year (or so!) trying to get the place to feel like a home.

I feel like the kitchen makes a bold statement with the really dark cabs and I've got a purple dining room! - but other than that, most everything else is pretty bland.

this is the kitchen - view from stair landing

Yikes. they do look too narrow - I didn't really pay attention to that when I was at the carpet place, just assumed I could have it made to fit. I'll check on that - thanks, jjam!

I agree that the runners (though they are all beautiful!) are not wide enough-- I think the bottom runner brings out the beautiful honey-color of your stairway treads. I am partial to rich reds, but I think the bottom more golden runner is the best pick. Maybe you could find a wider one similar to that one.

Wow, I hadn't even noticed the narrowness of the runner samples either! That said, if the bottom (golden) runner comes in a suitable size, I think that might be my choice. I agree that it brings out the honey hues in this pretty space.

I think the 3rd one which has the more neutral color would look best with your stone and wall colors. The black will show so much lint I think you may be sorry later!

The red I like, and would give you some color, but you may be sorry to have to work around that bright of a color in the future.

I think both color schemes are very pretty, just depends on the overall coloring in your other furnishings or adjacent spaces. I like the rich burgundy and golds as well as the more monochromatic palette. The more free-flowing design of the burgundy appeals to me more with your granite pattern, though.

I'll go out on a limb.....

Looks like a beautiful ?new/totally renovated home - I LOVE wood stairs - I see you have little ones - we do as well - I opted to not cover our stairs and to no have running in the house - rubberized slippers/socks will maintain safety too -

Why not try it for a little while -

Ok my $.02

thanks for all the votes!

jejvtr: yep, we're building a new home and I've got little ones. The runner is obviously something we can always add later, just thought that while the installers were gonna be here to do the bedrooms, we'd throw that in too. I grew up in an old colonial with wood 'servants' stairs and fell down them a ton. Don't really know how much a little carpet would have helped, but maybe a little bit of cushion! It also doesn't help that our builder just recently fell down his staircase while holding his infant daughter (thankfully she's okay, but a big scare and overnight in the hospital), so he's now a huge supporter. I'll always take someone's .02 though!!!

I like the second one!