We would like to convert our stairway railing to cast iron balusters with wood rail and a nice eye catching newel. The current design is more suited for an outside deck. My challenge is how to tie the stair railing and the horizontal railing into a single newel? The stair stringer is 2 3/8' wide. The existing newel is a 4x4. Can that be considered a newel? All existing lumber shown in these pictures will be removed, except for the stringers and stair treads. The carpet and linoleum is going also. Replacing entire 1st floor with hardwood flooring. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.