The carpet will be removed from the treads and landing. All wood floors and treads will be stained walnut color. We looked into stripping the rails and newel posts but cost as much as replacing. I'm trying to decide if we should install over the post railing because it seems like a cleaner look.

Rather than replacing them have you considered painting them white like the newels...It will give a cohesive look and really pop with the dark of the walnut stain....

We have two small children so we would prefer that all areas that their little hands would normally come into contact with are stained. Also, I've seen pictures of painted newels (like the one I copied from Houzz below) and do not like the look of the dark handrail going into the white newel.

I think that I have three options: 1) post to post install with newels and handrail stained, balusters white; 2)over the rail install with newels and handrail stained, balusters white, or: 3) over the rail install with handrail stained, newels and balusters white. Thanks for your input!

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njohs - what did you decide? how did it turn out?

tracyd, we ended up doing the third option. I'm really happy with the finished product! Good luck on your project!

oh, excellent. It looks great!! Thanks for the update :)

Looks fantastic!