Everything is too dark. Lighter walls, and white railing and spindles. You will be happier!

Saca - Thanks so much. I'm waiting to see how much I can spend after the main area remodel costs are firmed up. The entry is important because its the first thing you see in the front door, but we don't really spend alot of time there, so for now I'd rather spend what it takes on the main living space. I have $5,000 for the stair rails and flooring. I can't keep the flooring because I can't match it and when the wetbar is removed there will be exposed non tile area and a longer step down into the hall. I'm going with rustic hardwood for the rest of the downstairs and could use it here too, but the stair caps won't match, so maybe I should just remove the tile and put down something similar? I hate that chandelier and the wall sconces. I think they were expensive, but too goth for me. The carpet that goes up the stairs runs down the upstairs hall and into two of the bedrooms. Its kind of a sticky wicket on where to start. Love the pictures. So much to think about.

why don't you just remove the tile until the weird wet bar and continue the wood and leave the tile. tile in the entry is very practical .

on the other hand maybe it is just a good idea to go with wood everywhere.

about fixtures: some chandeliers

and some sconces

If you take out the carpet on stairs and paint the railings white it will be a great start!

I agree with maybe changing to all wood in the entry! Also Stage it with a chair and table, flowers. Could look great!

I love the stair color. Please don't change it until last! I think changing out the flooring, the runner, and the paint will be enough. And that chandelier, because...shew.



I'd opt for pale blues, white, and ditch that dark tile. I think doing a different tile is probably going to be the best option for you. I'd get something light, and striated.



And then...the light. Anything is going to be an improvement ;) I think something spherical and not too ornate would suit the space.

Oh, and I'd opt for a patterned neutral for the stair runner

round table ?

something like this ??

you may be able to salvage you chandelier and hang it in a different room ...just a thought

http://houzz.com/photos/12449381

http://houzz.com/photos/12449381

Thanks so much for all your great ideas! All these foyers look much better than mine. I'm thinking I should tile the entry because the hardwood stair caps are so expensive and I'm not ready to refloor upstairs. I forgot to mention that the stairs are cut so that a carpet runner can lay flat. So I can't keep the steps without some kind of carpet. Unfortunately, the carpet on the stairs runs all the way down the upstairs hallway, so it might be weird to have different carpet meeting at the top of the stairs. Also, off the foyer to the right is a step down living room or office. The step is tiled. Also, there is a step down to the hallway that is tiled. The kitchen and dining room also have this tile, but they are being demoed and the contractor says he can't save any of the tiles. As for the chandelier and sconces, I love all your pictures. You're right anything would be better. Maybe I can sell the old ones on Ebay or Craigslist. The seller said they were hand-blown Italian Murano or something like that and he said this carpet is Ralph Lauren? Whatever it is its vintage but in perfect condition. What if I retile with something lighter and paint the steps and spindles white and leave the bannister wood. The ear wax paint makes me gag. I'm probably going to paint the entry whatever light and bright wall color I pick for the main areas. I'll try to upload a picture of the hardwood soon.

This is the hardwood for the most of the downstairs.

So here is a picture of the tiled step down to the office. And another picture that shows the step down to the hallway. I don't like the existing freckled cyprus hardwood which will have to remail in the master bedroom, at least for now. Also, all the door have been painted gloss white and the baseboards will be white after the reno and new floors are installed.

You know if the stairs risers were painted white as well as the sides, and you had a grey paint on the walls, and black spindles so the only wood would be the steps and the rail, that entryway would look just fine. Wait to replace wood in good condition. sometimes all it needs is a nice refinishing, and a stain to match your other wood. That chandelier you have painted in magenta or bright yellow or turquoise would be pretty nice. it is just not a good match for the entrance where it kind of hangs like a giant spider. over a dning room it would be different.

You can get porcelain planks that look almost like your hardwood flooring. You might consider them for the entry. Laying in a herringbone pattern could be interesting. Here they are a feature surrounded by darker hardwood.

Check out some of our lighting for the entry and throughout! We make custom lighting using our pendants that can be designed to fit your space perfectly with as many pendants as you want, and that lovely high ceiling is perfect for it! Available in a variety of colors and sizes.
www.shakuff.com

I think you mostly need some color changes. The colors in there are a bit dated--I'd suggest some lighter neutral tones with the dark wood. Either that, or go with white millwork and doors, then your options are basically wide open.

Ooh la la Shak - You've got my number. I love the first one best! It totally goes with my style. I just got 5 of these to go over my kitchen island. Every light fixture in that house is butt ugly. I really like it so it must be super expensive?

HCS - You're right I'm going white on all the trim. I wish I could rebuild that "stairway to ugly". The cut in carpet runner isn't even in the middle of the stairs. Here's a picture of what I mean. Thanks for your help.

Saca - You make me laugh. That's exactly what I thought, the light looks like a huge spider. Here's another view, if you can take it, that really brings it home. LOL

YIKES. Maybe consider fully carpeting the stairs? I've never seen that before!

Oh dear, those stairs and railings are dreadfully drab and could use a huge facelift! Here are a couple photos for inspiration of jobs we've done in the past that both really cleaned up our clients' entryways.

Flourish - I love your work. Thanks for the inspiration. Where are you located?

Thank you so much! We're in Guelph, Ontario, But we ship all over North America.

suzy, new stair threads is your only hope. so wait until you are ready to invest there. that is a bizarre way of doing things

I kind of wonder what that chandelier would look like painted white with different shades...It might be worth trying, if you're just planning to ditch it.

Thanks ehanback. Even if I could get it looking better, I don't have anywhere else to put it. Its huge! For the entry I think I need sleek multi-level multiple pendant type lights, like the ones above. For the sconces, I'm thinking slim lined or recessed and lower on the wall.

I think you could probably sell the chandelier and sconces. I have a feeling they are valuable.

Thanks saca - Maybe the Munsters or the Adams family need some new decor.

whatever you do, keep the rails. do not paint them. they are so full of beauty and character. it would be a crime to paint them white. they would look awful with a paint anyway. change the colours in your house obviously, but keep that beautiful dark wood in your colour palette and work with it rather than against it.

you can very easily mix a darker wood stain with a varnish and paint on a new stain.

so long they have the right amount of green!!!! LOL

Saca - I showed a picture of the "spider" to a friend of mine. The first thing she said was "No Way!" Then she said "That reminds me of the plant from Little Shop of Horrors".

Perhaps something like these for the wall sconces? These also have a down light that provides a pretty cool downlight effect.

It is very ugly, but I bet that in the right house, right place and right style it could be striking. And I am having a strong feeling it is valuable, so try putting it on ebay.

look at this chandelier and paint on the stairs

[houzz=]