My first instinct: I Love the wood colors, and I think the white banisters in between are on the right track!

After some reflection: The white banisters are doing A LOT to disrupt the flow of wood. I can't quite tell if it's the color or the design elements on them.

Would you be opposed to a darker color or glass?

I just painted my a dark gray..looks great

Thanks shiny dark gray/black is what we had thought but worried it might be to dramatic & perm. Do you have a photos?

Dy and I agree, as we often do, that black would look tres chic!

I just painted mine black and love it!