I had the same problem and they disassembled the curved staircase and sent it out to be stripped, stained and spray painted (spindles). The problem is the edge of your staircase is also stained to match. I'll let you know how it turns out!

This stair has a wood stain on the top rail only. I love the way it draws the eye to the horizontal curve of the stair. Because the vertical lines are all the same color, it feels clean and elegant. The front door could go to a darker stain for an update if you want, but it's pretty as is, too.

Thanks for the pic- good idea.

Yes, I would do the staircase and the door a darker brown. I would also paint over that red wall, that does not look good ... it matches nothing and that concept of one red wall is very dated.

Good idea on the stairs and door, but I'd go for ebony, not espresso. My first thought was to paint the red wall and to drywall that recess where it looks like blinds with a picture behind them in photo #1. In the middle below are pix of a before and after from earlier this year (sorry they're reversed.) She went for black and it turned out stunning.

Houzz...

After above/before below

Houzz...

What are the color suggestions for the red wall? Maybe a grey tone? other colors are bleeker beige from BM (dining room and photo wall) and sail cloth ( lighter color) on the other walls. Thanks.

I would use bleeker beige on the red wall, and remove the faux clock in favor of a large art piece. Looks like all your wall hung pieces that I can see are hung too high. Center them at 5' above the floor or with bottom frame 5" above furniture or mantel.

I am in the process of doing this right now. Go for it! Also your mantle looks awesome!

The white on the left side is after and the tan is on the right side is before.

Decoenthusiaste, I like the idea of bleeker beige on that wall. Need to decide if I paint the thicker posts between the white spindles white or like the handrail dark (like on the pics you sent me) I guess when the white primer is on that I will give me a better idea.

Kelly, thanks for the pics. Very similar staircase. That gives me a good idea. Will the oak posts between the spindles be white or same color than handrail? Will you stain or paint the handrail in dark brown or black? Looks way better so far for sure than the oak...

I am taking it one step at a time. I am starting with just white spindles. Everything I am reading is saying that the stained parts need to be removed to be done right. I'm not sure I want to get into all of that.

Also the floor and the front door and the banisters are all the same. I do not like the color of the banisters or the floor or the door but that is a huge project. I have been looking at a ton of photos and reading a ton of advice and if I did paint the all of the stair railing and banisters white I am afraid it would have no contrast.

I want new shades for the light fixture and windows are coming soon.

If money is not an issue and I could do whatever I wanted I would do a modern iron railing and stained wood floors on the stairs. Or I would replace the balusters with larger white ones and stain the railing a very dark color and put a runner on the stairs.

I would paint that accent wall the same color as the rest of your walls and lower your artwork. Just my opinion. Paint is so inexpensive and it would update the space and tie it all in

I like these white newel posts

The pics from sdwilk & decoenthusiaste with dark railing and white spindles are stunning. Definitely keep posts between the spindles the same color as the spindles. As sdwilk pointed out, it accentuates the curves beautifully. My second choice would be all dark. Would love to see the door dark either way.

I like the pictures that decoenthusiaste posted of the white posts and dark railing and bottom post.

We started with the white spindles 1.5 years ago. It was all oak before- and it opened all up. The room looked much bigger somehow. So much better than before. Now I'm at the point to finish the project. Yes, its a lot of work ( prep is the most important thing to get it done right).Painting is def easier than staining. I like your front door with the glass inside and agree it should match to the staircase. The door will be my last project. I'm sure along the way I will find out what looks best. I do like the pic above from sdwilk with the white spindles and balusters but agree with having some contrast. Time will tell :-) Good luck with your project- and please post pics when done.

If you look at the before and after of the stairs I advised on earlier this year (middle two in my other comment,) you'll see that all the posts match the newel post and are painted to match it in the ebony. That's what I would do.

I like the idea of darker stain on stair and front door. I also think you could use a more dramatic hanging light fixture, that is one area of the house *(also master bedroom) that you do not use "budget" fixtures. Beautiful home you have there!

Decoenthusiaste, thanks for your advice. I did get an ebony color sample and I do like the darker color better. The pics you posted are very nice. I could use some help on window treatment too. I posted " window treatment behind sofa" maybe you have some ideas there as well? Thanks:-)

Sustainable Dwellings, thanks for your comment. I agree with the light fixture. I have to look around and maybe get some ideas.