Lighter risers would definitely brighten the stairwell area, but I am not sure the effect of all those whites would be ombré or just look like off shades. For Your stairs and house, with the narrower hallway and stained glass on the landing, I'd pick the white that looks best and use it on every riser. I think the "novelty effect" looks good in your inspiration photo because there is no other decorative element in the space and the other surfaces are a stark white.

Your staircase is gorgeous!

I would paint the risers and spindles white (but not the newel post or banister). I probably wouldn't do ombré partly because you have the world's most beautiful window, it seems, in your staircase and I would just emphasize the window.

Yeah, your right, my house and my style sorta don't mix lol! It's very formal. I am very not. The only way that I really like formal is essentially a bastardized version high Victorian style where everything has been desecrated by painting it all white (or almost all white) or dark paneled rooms loaded w/ white furniture w/ grand gold chandeliers in every room. I love my DR but it is also a gloriously light filled space.

They are all on the same color card and the effect is very subtle but it is there - I see what you are saying though. There is nil natural or bright light 'going up' the staircase (if that makes sense) which is what I think I would need for the ombre effect to show up.

Thanks for the voice of reason. I will paint them each white.

I agree with tibbrix. That is a gorgeous staircase, and the ombre would not do it justice.

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I love your staircase! I would use a natural fiber runner and maybe a touch of fun wallpaper behind the chair to lighten the area.

I can certainly see why you'd like to highlight the risers. Painting seems a good option, though I too think the white ombre might be too subtle a solution. How about relating the solution to that lovely stained glass window and use a design element on the riser? Here are some riser options. Some are stencils. Decals or wallpaper borders could also be an option.

that first one of Beverly's would be really cool!

I would never paint those stairs, and I'm someone who generally paints things in light colors whenever possible. I'd just do a light colored runner, like in roarah's photo.

Although I love all the pics Beverly just posted, if you look closely at them, the one thing they all have in common is that the staircase has no intrinsic interest whatever, so they need something to wake it up. Your staircase already has star quality.

I am one who almost always says, "Paint it! Paint it!". But in this case I think a runner would be a better solution.

Aaahhhhh, GW - always a voice of reason when we're going to jump off of a cliff and we don't know it yet! Lol!

No runner. I'm not investing in one and actually prefer the wood treads.

Thank you all!

Ow wow! Thanks Beverly - look at how that lightens it up! It doesn't look like a black hole anymore! Than you!

Love your stairs and the beautiful landing with the stained glass window. Agree with everyone all you need is something along the lines of Beverly's last mock up or a classic runner.

As a mom with a young family, I hate my painted raisers they always need cleaning and repainting. I too like the wood treads better but added the runner to help lessen my cleaning and painting times. Just something to consider. painted spindles are easier maintance and may also help lighten the space but again I love your staircase as is and would miss it if it were my house.

I generally like the look of painted risers (and love the ombré effect in a casual house--like a beach cottage). But I agree with others that I don't like it for your space. I really, really like the runners for your staircase. Sorry.

I love your staircase the way it is. I would not paint it. Just embrace the gloom. I think what makes your entry look dark is the dark ceiling on the right in the picture. I think it is the underside of the staircase? I would paint that. I do like the Roarah's suggestion of a runner, but they are a pain to vacuum.

What is that on the top of each riser, in the center? Is it more wood or a leather, vinyl mat or fabric piece? Perhaps you could replace those with something with more color, or paint them. I sure would hesitate to paint any of that wood, but that's just me. I also notice they are kind of marred, scratched with wear etc. Is that another reason for you wanting to paint them?

I'm drooling all over my desk. Thankfully my laptop is far enough back or I'd have ruined it already.

I was going to say the same thing as Tib, and really it's the most practical as I agree with other that painted risers can get dirty easily enough, but after seeing Beverly's first idea I think that option could work too.
I did a quick search for wallpaper boarders to give the illusion of stenciling. Here's what I came up with.

I would either paint the risers or use a runner in a pale gold that will tie in with the stained glass. Keep it very simple so the stained glass is the star and your woodwork the back up singer. The ombre effect in your inspiration is fun, but tey don't have stained glass or the detailed woodwork.

I dont have a stairway, but, I saw this the other day, and thought, it would be something I might like, if I had one. It is standard wallpaper, from Lowes, and it is the paintable type. You wouldnt have to paint the actual wood at all, so you could always go back to stained, if you like.

I'd try a removable wallpaper boarder or maybe even contac paper.
You have a gorgeous staircase.

I always think of the future of a home like yours, where someone may be so sad that someone in the past painted the gorgeous wood. I know you can't live for future owners, but for a home with history, that will have a historical future, I'd try to find a solution that works for you and for the integrity of the original home and future owners (who may tear it all out anyway :-).

I think cat_ky's solution of the paintable wall paper is brilliant. It looks wonderful, wouldn't be hard to do, would be reasonably easy to remove and easy to keep clean.

Love your beautiful house. I think Cat-Ky's solution is brilliant and perfect. It fits the style of the house, would add some light & pattern, but is subtle and fits your style. And, it's removable so it preserves the wood!

Another vote for paintable wall paper on the risers, and painting a golden wheat color. Paint the walls, too. I think part of why the stairs seem stark is because of the white walls surrounding them. The stairs are quite lovely and have nice detail, very special indeed (coming from a CA resident who lives in the middle of a 70s suburb, devoid of most architectural interest - even the cool 70s styles).

I'm really liking the wallpaper idea, as well as the paintable wallpaper idea from cat_ky. If you get it just right, namely to compliment the window, it would be stunning.

I too thought of the paintable wallpaper, but I've worked with it and I wasn't sure it would be a good fit with stair risers. The raised area is kind of a foam like substance. Regular wallpaper could be iffy too unless you seal it well to add more strength. I do love the look of the anaglypta though.

They have custom wood risers that are applied. They could be painted or stained.

http://www.decorativestairs.com/gallery/gallery.html

I think the suggestion to paint the walls a golden yellow is a good one. I think it would show off both the staircase and the window better than the stark white does.

We have an old staircase, and as I'm sure you know, the treads are narrower than "modern" stairs and the overall pitch of the staircase is a bit steeper. Because of that, we find that we use the full depth of the tread when we step on each one. And that means toes always touch the risers. Because of the angle of the staircase, I would definitely not put wallpaper on the risers because I think it'll rip pretty quickly.

I know you said you are a gray and white person....but I would add a colorful chair in the cubbyhole area to the right of the stairs. Or add a colorful rug. Also, I would eliminate the vinylmats on your treads. Your staircase is really pretty....so is the stained glass window!

If paintable wallpaper isn't durable, I think those decorative stair risers are a great second option, AND you could paint them ombre -- just choose something a little more dramatic than the light gray/white. Maybe deep gold to white or charcoal to white...or do a pretty ombre rainbow with colors from that stained glass. I think the decorative riser called "Dried Wheat Subtle" would go nicely with your window:

http://www.decorativestairs.com/products/classic.html

your staircase is beautiful--- esp the window!! i would leave the wood stained... no paint or wallpaper/border decorations. install a runner if the wood is in bad shape... install it yourself if cost is an issue... you're handy enough!!

if the wood is in good shape, think about installing some type of lighting or a sconce(s) to brighten up the stairway!

I contemplated the same treatment 2 years ago, but took the safe way out, as you can see here.

jmck_nc did it though(see link above).

I think painting them a pretty color would look nice except I wouldn't want the maintenance. Some cool antique tile or handmade artistic tile would look nice but expensive.

Just a note that we live in a 1920's colonial with narrower treads - we wallpapered our risers about 5 years ago (they are the first thing you see when you walked in the house and didn't have much architectural interest) even with 2 boys and a big dog, they still look perfect - no scuff or tears (Anthropologie paper)

If you don't like wallpaper, how about metal ceiling tiles (example below)? There are also plastic versions.

http://www.armstrong.com/residential-ceilings/products/ceilings/metallaire-collection/_/N-1z141rfZ1z141sj

Why is the right side ceiling/stair well black? I would paint it the wall color to contrast and lighten the area highlighting the beautiful upper newel post.

Houseofsticks, in the OP, she says these are old pictures, the black is already white.

I know from experience that your toes hit the risers when climbing the stairs....we had to paint ours every year. In your case, I was thinking self stick floor tile or the tin used for back splash/ceilings or ceramic tile. The ceramic tile grout and thickness may be a problem. Another suggestion might be formica cut to fit....they have formica in the stone look, wood look or even granite look.

I love the idea of the Anaglypta(paintable)wallpaper, but rather than leaving it white, would give it a brown glaze so it's not as stark.

I've used that same anaglypta wallpaper and it rips easily...your window is awesome.

OK, skip the paper, go for glam :)))

Thanks a lot, nosoccermom, I am now regretting my open risers. :)

So beautiful! Since a runner is out, is painting or wallpapering the stairwell a possibility? I wonder if the "gloom factor" could be turned into cozy if the contrast is lessened. I know you love contrast, but since the stairs don't bring you joy as-is . . .maybe something to consider.

I would shy away from wallpaper on the risers.Wallpaper doesnt hold up, on wood as it does to plaster or drywall.Paint them if you have to,but make sure you really love the color.Put foam board cut to size and paint.Do 4 or 5 risers and see if you love it.Move the board from top to bottom and see what you think.It really depends on the style of your house.I live in a 250 year old farmhouse.Our risers are black top with white risers with sea grass runner.We have a cottage style farmhouse in New England.

Foxes, I don't know if you are still following or have given up, but Id have mixed feelings about wallpaper. It would allow you to have a more easily removed look in case you don't' like it -- if you put it up to be removed, and the investment would be more in time than cost.

But I keep going back to the stained glass. That's the wow in your staircase, and you have nice woodwork. You don't need all that detail on top of detail. Chances are that painting the walls of the stairwell will lead into more halls or rooms needing to be painted too. What about using your ombre idea but starting with a warm gold at the bottom and fading up to a pale honey? Get a sheet of luan (very thin plywood) and cut it into pieces the size of your risers. Painting them and then attaching them (velcro or silicone some to mind) would allow you to work at a table or a more comfortable place, not worry about them getting marred while drying and curing, work with the shading until you get it just the way you want it, not worry about getting paint on the stairs, remove them without stripping wood -- all the advantages of wallpaper, but on a smooth surface without the detail you don't need. It would be a way to test the idea you originally liked. I would just do it with color (what you probably liked in the first place) and be easy to work with or change. Get one pint of the darkest color and one pint of white and you'll have plenty of paint to mix yourself.

Painting thin pieces of plywood (luan) is a great idea, even if they were secured with finishing nails. As a future owner I would rather deal with a couple tiny holes from finishing nails than removing paint.

Morning! I am still following!!!! This is the first time I've been able to check in for awhile. Will likely be intermittent drop ins for the next few weeks as I've been traveling to help care for a very sick relative and they have no Wifi or internet. Been playing a lot of solitaire!