I don't know that I've ever seen painted treads (only stained) so I'm going to leave that question to the authorities on this forum.

BM Monroe Bisque is an awesome color (even tho it looks offwhite on the swatches it's really a color on the walls, IMO) so is BM Shelburne Buff.

I would probably paint the treads dark brown and the hand rail to match with risers whatever the trim color is going to be (it sounds like white of some sort.)

If that is the runner, paint the treads to blend with any of the colors in the runner and the risers another ... one dark, one light. I would do light risers and darker treads.

I would pick up the colors in your beautiful rug: a super dark chocolate for the treads and rail, a rust for the walls, with one of the neutrals for the risers.

Hope you can forgive a quickie mock-up!

I can totally envision the area done as Paint_chips has mocked up. That would look wonderful!

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your input.

Thank you paint chips. That is what I was envisioning. Do you think the walls in a shade like that would make the stairwell too dark once they bounce off each other? And would you continue that color on to the ceiling as well?

If the trim in the rest of the house is white, would you use that color for the risers or an off white like in the mock-up?

These are the stairs that go from the main floor to the upstairs. I could try and match a brown paint to this stain color. (Pic taken at night, stair treads are a little darker)

The riser really doesn't feel too "trimy" to me so I wouldn't feel locked into the white.

Personally I would do the rust. Cutting it might look like you were afraid to commit. I did cut the rust with white in the second picture, but it seems make it a little cloying in my opinion.

Personally, I love the look of color on the ceilngs, but it seem to be so personal. My favorite ceilng was a navy, so rust doesn't scare me the slightest.

This one has the riser color was exchanged for a barely warm white.

Thanks again paint chips. I will take your advice and soon I will be showing you the after!

I would consider Sherwin-Williams' low VOC porch and floor enamel for your treads. It's glossy, to mimic varnished floors, and can be tinted to the dark brown you want.

Most important to me is the fact that these stairs lead to the basement. I would avoid dark colors since you are already losing light by descending. I would rather have dark risers and treads in a warm wood tone.