The house has a considerable amount of white-painted woodwork and trim already. You could easily paint the stair railings and trim white for a coordinated look. Are you planning to paint the oak kitchen cabinets white, too?

thank you apple_pie_order! the kitchen cabinets are walnut and i love them so i won't be changing the kitchen at all.

Thanks for info. Could you add a close up of the walnut kitchen cabinets, please? A light walnut is unusual.

I agree it's unusual. Someone told us they are walnut although they could be maple. They are definitely not oak. I can upload a photo later today.

The only thing that I'd change in the kitchen, would be the cabinet hardware to stainless/brushed nickel.

I think, a dark railing with iron spindles would look nice, and agree with the modern fireplace with the stone surround.

Is the fireplace gas or wood burning?

It's gas

I think you could do anything you want with it, depending on your preferences. There's a lot of product out there in the market these days, whether it's natural stone or manufactured. It would be nice to have something that fits in with everything else in the home. I think in your application, "less is more" might be the way to go...

Where are you located, if I may ask?

Best,

Roy

Thanks afmcnear! I like your staircase and have considered this as an option because of the high ceilings and big windows and all the light we get.

Hi, these are some of our designs that might give you new ideas for your fireplace.

Hey, how about something like these?

Yes, you definitely need to do something with the stairs and fireplace! I love the clear glass on the stairs but don't know how modern you would like. It would be more unique than the regular spindles though. The fireplace with the gray tile around it is nice but I don't think I'd paint the rest white. Is that a purple couch? Love it, I've always had purple couches.

sc00tersassy thanks for your comment. I agree on uniqueness. I also don't want to hinder the huge windows by using dark spindles. The openness and light in that space is what I love about it. The couch is brown actually. It's just basic brown leather.

I'm starting to realize why the originals owners designed the stairs how they did. They wanted the light but anything too modern might look out of place in this house. I do think clear glass might be do-able though.

Go for the glass! Funny how the computer shows color,huh? Wouldn't have guessed brown! Good luck