That happens to all of us Dasha. You're just so sure and then it looks different than you expected. I think you're right on the right track now and you will love it with the changes you have planned.

Dasha, any good floor person should be able to match the color of the railing to the color of your floors pretty easily. I think that the lighter or darker color stain would be beautiful.

We had some damage to our wood floors in one area of the house. The floor guy removed some planks, re-stained, and did a terrific job of matching the color. I think it's really hard for us to determine the correct color from pictures on the computer.

Karen, you're right! I don't want the exact color of my floors, as it's a Golden Pecan. I do, however, like the darker parts of my floor...that's the color I think would work well.

Dasha, there are several right ways to do this. You have done a right way. Stain is also a right way. Ultimately it is what you like that matters. I encourage you, however, to finish the entire space and then revisit the stairs. I fear you are being myopic and over-thinking and will spend too much time and money redoing something that is excellent already. You have a practical and beautiful option to keep as is and finish the rest of the space. Consider bringing in a pro for confirmation and help to bridge your original vision to the rest of the space by accessories and trims and other improvements. Put your money and energy on the big picture. Good luck!

Several people have mentioned changing other things about the area to be more in line with the current stairs. I've been wondering about that. For example, trim on the window. If all the rest of the windows in the house aren't trimmed (like my house), wouldn't that look odd? I'd be more inclined to take some of the steps Dasha is considering first, rather than taking steps to change the surrounding area to draw more attention to the stairway area. I like the idea of drawing a bit less attention to it. But, I guess there are about as many views on Houzz as their are people, lol:)

Ann, your point is well taken. Cost to do stairs in considerable. Rather than redoing and maybe achieving a marginal result, build where you are is the principle I am applying. Don't go back, go forward. The money can be applied to all window trims in exposed area rather than attacking the stairs again. Master plans are important to contain costs and approaches. Big picture planning gives best results. These are the principles the pros work off of. We don't go back or second guess our vision, just move forward. I am sharing, because I care and it pains me to think of the circular reasoning and second guessing and impact on cost and sanity. Onward! Take courage. And have fun!

Think Ann makes a good point. The stain looks nice.

NEXT Project Studio, isn't it sometimes worth going back if the result doesn't meet the vision so the result is more in line with the original vision? As a designer, wouldn't you take lots of pieces to a clients house and eliminate those that don't fit rather than, say, adding a chair that makes the scale or color of everything else off and then changing everything else to be in line with the new chair. Wouldn't it be better to try a different chair, lol? Just thinking in my own house, when I've made a remodeling change that just didn't look as I expected, it seems to continue to bug me until I replace or change it.

Please understand, I'm not trying to be difficult or argue. I think everyone has very valid suggestions in this dilemma, but I do think the current stairs are enough of a departure from Dasha's vision that a change will feel great to her. I'd do the same.

The interesting thing is that when it was just done I liked it! And then the spindles got to me. It wasn't really the white that bothered me. It was the amount of spindles...seemed too busy. The shock probably also came from the high contrast. However, our old yellow oak posts also stuck out like a sore thumb. I hated them! And they were also mostly white, so I don't think it's the issue of my wall color but contrast with the black.

What I do like about them being all one color is that the staircase now flows much better as a whole. I think adding some character to the window and some color to the adjacent wall will help tremendously. I also think staining just the railing will calm down all that white while keeping just enough with the newels so it matches our trim. My only fear with the stain is the possibility of it looking choppy. But we have long sections that I *think* will be cohesive. I will for sure simplify the spindles, as that is a non-negotiable for me. I will keep the baskets but the pattern will be every 2. That change will cost only $100, well worth it in my opinion. But until I figure out what to do about the paint/stain, we can't change the spindles. Ideally, I want to fix it, love it and move on! Ha!

That's wonderful that the spindle change will only cost $100. That is sure worth it!

Your photos show different styles and color schemes, so I would like to know which is the one you have. In two photos, the spindles appear to be black metal, and in the other photo the spindles appears to be white-painted wood. I think each one is beautiful, depending on the effect you want. The first photo shows the trim and rail to be white with black metal spindles, and I think this is beautiful since the black and white contrast from the beige walls. In the second photo, the trim and rail appear to be ivory. In the third photo, the spindles appear to be white-painted wood, so I appreciate your clarifying all this.

Dasha81, you aren't alone! My husband loves our staircase, I am learning to love it. It is very similar to yours as is our wall color. Two things that I noticed. The black on your spindles comes across as very strong as do the decals. Could you swap out the ones that have the ball designs on them? That may lessen it without changing out all of them. We stained our railing ourselves. It really was pretty easy! Or, what if you painted the spindles a rubbed bronze? Here is a picture of our staircase. Maybe that will give you an idea.

One last idea. What if you took off the little spindle covers on the bottoms? Or are they glued? That would clean it up too. Small changes make a HUGE difference! I found that out after a lot of tears.

Ann, we sure do make adjustments in the design process, just not costly ones. Her results look just like the inspiration photo she posted if you scroll up to see. I am also speaking from experience that I see a lot of clients are startled by change at first, any change, until it is all pulled together. There is a reason the TV shows send people away and have them come back for the grand reveal. Remodeling is like watching sausage being made...yuk! But in the end you want to eat it, just not see it being made. I encourage patience and follow through. Finally, If you DIY the changes, it is less costly and so go for it. I am for experimentation and following your heart. It is how you learn.

Yellow House, your stairs are pretty much the direction I'd like to go!! And we do have similar wall color. AND our subdivision is The Farm...how funny! What stain did you do on the railing? We have knuckle balusters that we can swap the basket ones with. They are like the ones pictured here. But we would still go every 2 plain. Also, my husband is supposed to find out about taking the shoes off...I thought of that, too, in order to downgrade the contrast a bit more. Not sure if our guy has ever done it w/out the shoes but I have seen pictures of it so I know it's at least doable. Thank you for your pic! Did you not love yourrs at first? I think they look great!!

Sheila, the new stairs are the white with black spindles. The pic that looks ivory is just a different angle and the shadows make it look more ivory. Something that Ann noticed right away, too. :)

Oops, forgot to add the pic of the knuckle balusters. (Btw, I now know more stair terminology than I ever wanted to! Lol)

I will also add that I love the large trim on your (Yellow's) window and doors and that light fixture is fabulous! To Dana's and Ann's points, I think I need to do both: fix what I can and what is monetarily feasible with the stairs and then add quite a bit of attention to that window, light and wall!

Feels like your plan is beginning to come together nicely Dasha. I like hearing you sound optimistic. Your careful analysis of the situation will pay off. All your ideas now are sounding really good.

Yellow, what stain color did you go with on your railings?

Also, do you guys think switching out the basket balusters with the knuckle ones would be a good plan?

First we sealed the raw wood. Then we dyed it trans tint - mission brown. And after that we used a General Finishes gel stain in Nutmeg. It sounds like a lot but it wasn't too bad, just piddly work in between sanding and staining. Also, we did ours in place and used art brushes and tape where it connected to white. Good luck!

Dark stain on railings definitely. New dark light to complement light in entry way. Should be the same style light as visually the staircase overwhelms enough.

That's the plan! Getting railings and stain this weekend, will re-pattern the balusters to go every 2. All should be complete in about one week. I'm excited and nervous. Will update as soon as it's done!

Can't wait to see pics! I think you'll love it.

I am back with pics of the (almost) finished stairs upgrade re-do. :)

I don't just like them now, I love them! And that's exactly where I wanted to be in the first place. It fits our style and the house perfectly. Thank you to everyone who has been so incredibly helpful with this dilemma! Houzz members are amazing! Especially a big thanks to Ann and Karen who were so patient and kind to me while I wrecked my brain over this! And Yellow House for showing me her great staircase that ultimately inspired the changes. THANK YOU ALL! (Sorry for the Oscar speech...just wanted to say thanks where it is due! :-)

Okay, so 229 comments and it looks like you stained the hand railing? I can't tell if you changed something else or not, but glad you like it.

Sandy, stained handrails, different knuckle balusters, new pattern for balusters.

Super nice looking Dasha! I just bet it does meet your original vision! Lots of stress and such a good result. I think it might have been worth all that stress even though that kind of stress is really tough. Really looks great!

Looks great now! So glad that you love it now.

I am very happy for you (and your husband)! You can now both enjoy the finished look. I know how frustrating it is to not get what you thought would look great. I had never posted on a forum before but I will do so again in the future

I am glad that I was able to help!

Persistence wins! Glad you are happy with the results. What's your next project?

Thank you, NEXT! And thanks for your support w the stairs! We will first change the light fixture over the staircase, add some art/decor to the nearby wall. And then it's off to the master bath! :)

Your changes feel just right! Nice job!

I love the staircase. It just needs to be showcased with nothing on walls or crowding at the bottom anywhere. Clean crisp modern. It actually took some time looking at your photo but the staircase looked better each time I considered it.

Oops! Didn't read all comments I preferred your original post photo.

Nice job! Just found this post and agreed with your initial feelings about the look. The changes you made are a great solution, and it does have a very different feel. Looks great!

Thank you! Every time I look at them, I smile. Sounds so silly. Even my husband said how great the changes look...he loves it and now agrees with the update and that makes me happy.
Interestingly enough, in photos, the white staircase didn't look too bad but in person it was so overwhelming (especially the spindles!). But with the new changes, in person they look even better than on photos...because I can really look at the room as a whole and it just all works and blends in. Of course, I still have some updating to do like the light fixture, decor on wall...and eventually we want to hardwood the actual stair treads.

Not silly at all! I agree completely. When I make a change and can't stop looking at it (thinking it's just not right), it drives me crazy. Then, when I take the steps to solve the issue, my whole outlook changes. I would feel EXACTLY as you do!

I say live with it for a bit. Change for me takes a while to grow with me. It is newly done, clean and functioning. I like it but I could see with the contrast and pop that it would take me time to get used to.

Just reading all the comments and I love number 1 on your pics! Hoping to scroll and see it completed! Very cool

Jolene, it's been updated. Scroll up just a few posts for finished pics.

dasha81-if you get a chance, you should start a new thread....a before and after picture. Would love to see the dramatic difference side by side :-)

Also, it's hard to see, but the longest railing had an obnoxious post in the middle that kept glaring at me...we got rid of it and it looks so much more together! All the newels are the same and not out of place.

I love the new look.

Before and after.

Glad to see you finished your stair. The rail and spindles turned out great! The contrast was the biggest problem which has now been alleviated. Congratulations!

Looking good

I actually think it is beautiful!!! I wouldn't change a thing, not even the colors.

It all feels very integrated now. Very nice looking railing. Hopefully it wasn't too stressful.