Post pictures. Black is not a wood color, nor a color that anyone should ever stain wood.

I like the ebony "black" stain, to be honest. Yes...It'll show dirt and pet fur more, but it's classy and suitable for an "old-world" tutor-style home.

I'd paint the risers black or white, but not the same color as your walls. You need contrast or it'll just look "off."

Nope. Black is just wrong. Badly wrong. And super high maintenance. Leave it all that nice mid mod medium tone.

I love the ebony but yes the maintenance is crazy on the floor, that's why I've been looking at other options. Also I'm probably putting porcelain look like wood tile on main room floor. Not sure if that helps in that regard.

I am changing the beam color so it's not so red. To cover with oil based stain it will end up black. I'd rather black then red.

Do the posts on the bannister need to be the same color as the threads on the stairs?

Maybe the posts can be ebony (not as dark because it's unfinished wood and I won't use oil based) ...(picking up the beam color and mantle color) and the flooring and steps a different color. (mid grey or birch light) And the floor really light, threads light.... risers same taupe as walls. That does have contrast? .....I only like white risers with dark steps. PaperFinch, I never saw black risers? Not sure about that?

Or, bannister ebony, flooring light, threads dark, risers white, floor on second level dark.

Also, I'm not having any white trim in the room. All molding the same taupe color. I saw that with dark wood floors, it is gorgeous. But the wall of the fireplace a dark navy......(Actually there is baseboard heating that is white!! That will serve as white breaking it up.) So I'm not sure if bringing in white risers will look good or not. Maybe the fact that it's the only wall with white might look nice? Also the wood on the bottom of the bannister is a problem. The part that remained before bannister went in can't be stained because it will never match the new piece next to it.

Additionally, the steps were build incorrectly, the lip of the threads don't extend enough and the molding next to them are not high enough. I've been trying to figure out how to fix it but it looks like I might have to just live with it.

I would prefer the flooring to be dark but given what I have found and what we discussed I might go lighter. For 30 years there has been black fake tiling. It was one of those very unusual perfect things!

Sophie, dark wood flooring (perhaps not ebony) is gorgeous. I don't know why you are dead against it.

I know someone will say dark navy wall? of course you should go light on the floor! I'm not sure. I love dark and the rest of the room is a light taupe/grey. And most of the room is high high white ceilings. All white kitchen. And the fireplace will stand out next to the dark wall.

Sorry for so long a post, it seems kinda confusing to me and I can only do this once. I hope someone can help me!! THANKS

I guess no one can help me, I guess I'll post pictures how it turns out

I would not choose such a dark color without spending a lot more on a better lighting plan. And a Swiffer for every member of the family! A nice medium tone will never be out of style.

thank you. I'm just trying to figure out if the bannister needs to be the same color type as the steps / and or the first floor stain/coloring.