This is how it currently looks...

And this is more of our house, if it helps.

love both the 2 new versions - breath of fresh air! but one is very modern and one is very traditional. Are your furnishings going to be sleek and modern or family traditional? The second option (traditional) will be able to handle modern or traditional more than the first. The first is definitely taste specific so you might be safer to go with 2nd option depending on how long you plan on living there (resale) and more opportunity to change furnishings now and in future. Looks like there is a traditional door back there too. Remember if you go ultra modern stair rail, it will cascade and you will end up changing doors, handles, etc. I like the new colored walls too instead of the tan. Good luck, it will be lovely!

Either staircase would be a major improvement over your current situation. Kudos for changing it! My vote would be the first one - it has nautical undertones but seeing the light you have over the DR table, as well as the close proximity of the light to the stairs.....perfection!

Thank you! I wish there was something in between the two. I LOVE the modern look; and while our place when we bought it was transitional (like you said, doors are standard traditional doors, crown molding, etc.), I'm doing things to it to make it more modern. I like the modern look, but wonder if it clashes too much with some of the more transitional'ish elements working in our space. However, I very much typically dislike the look of traditional.

Thanks Columbia. Yes, we changed out a VERY traditional light fixture for the more upscale modern. I think that could help tie in the more modern staircase.

I prefer the traditional staircase with the spindles. I am afraid the nearly invisible wires on the modern staircase could be a hazard, especially to people who cannot see very well.

I prefer the first one.

i feel like the first one is trying too hard, it feels as though it has wandered into the wrong house. BUT if you are planning to continue to change the rest of your house (and not just furnishings) you do have to start somewhere.

i'm a big fan of square balusters.

Beautiful home! I love #1.

#2 for sure, unless you plan on changing all your crown molding and baseboards too.

I think you can go either way with since your updates and furnishings are modern, but home still has crown and paneled doors. If you don’t plan on staying in the home more than a few years, I would ask some realtors for input as to what would be worth more in that market…

I'm a modern fan, but I dislike the half-sized newel (feels like it makes the staircase end too abruptly). The full-sized newel on the traditional gives a bolder look, so I might try to bring a full-sized newel to the modern design.

#2

I like the first one.

Something to thing about with the horizontal wires....they are an invitation to children to climb them, posing a real hazard. I agree with those saying that the modern look, while cool, does fight with the rest of the house, and the stair structure itself.

I think the lines of #2 will fit well with the character of the home. Keeping the rail and spindles the same color (either all wood or all white) may help create more of a transitional aesthetic (ex: http://photos.hgtv.com/photos/viewer/wood-risers-/white-transitional-foyer-with-lanterns). The contrast of the wood and white is beautiful, but definitely has a more traditional feel. Love your home so far!

#2 :)

Thanks Green Design! Good examples. Do you think either of these two would "work" in our space? These may bridge the gap between the two examples...

I think both are good options. I like them both. If you pick the wood rail, I would go with a darker tone of wood

Agreed. on the darker tone of wood.