Traditionally, horizontal elements are clear (banister and treads) and vertical elements ( newels, balusters and risers) are painted in a situation such as this. Occasionally one sees a clear newel, but I have never seen one that is both painted and clear.

I love old homes you can't replicate that craftsman ship today. Your front door is incredible as is the starting newel on your staircase.

The choice of how to do this is yours and your ability to do the work or your pocketbook to get someone in.

When painting rails and leaving part wood there are basic methods of acceptance. Since the starting newel post on the bottom of the steps was left unpainted the upper posts, landing newels, should have been too.

The bottom post looks like it needs some TLC. As does the bannister and landing newels. The repair can be done with several methods all varying in cost and time.

The proper fix is to have a craftsman in to replicate what appears to be a worn trim. Then sand and re-stain the wood portions. Removing the paint from the landing newels.

An easier fix would be to paint the wood portions in black (hand rail and newels).

That being said,

The starting newel is probably one of the more unique ones I have ever seen.

I would spend the time to sand the wood portions and re-finish them.

Post crossed with lucidos

I think I will strip and stain the landing newel posts and stain them like the starting one as you all have suggested. One more question - that first landing post extends all the way down - see pic - so should all of that be stripped and stained? I'm thinking yes, since there's no real stopping point. And do you think it would look weird that there's only one baluster between the landing newels - or is that okay?

Yes, the starting newel needs some TLC as does the handrail and treads. I was also thinking of going slightly darker with the stain.

And lastly, ripping up the carpet is the right thing to do, right? It came with the house and its nice in the winter to have underfoot, but I think it makes the stairs look dated.

The long landing post I would take the paint off down to the upper stair it touches, at the bannister height. Trim it off with a decorative molding to give it a visual reason to end there. I suggest taking the last one ( right one ) all the way to the decorative molding end.

The one baluster is fine between.

As far as the carpeting if it's in good shape and you have no issue with it leave it till you no longer want to leave it. It goes with the age of the home so it's not off design wise. If you are re-staining the risers you may need to pull it anyway.

WOW! Thank you so much! I love it - will do exactly that! Thanks again! :-)