If your ballusters are going to be white, the most common way is to keep the risers white as well, and then choose the same wood species for the rail and treads. If you want more wood, then put in risers of the same species as well. In your example picture, the newel posts are white as well- I just did a staircase with maple treads, rail and newel posts, natural finish, keeping the ballusters and risers white. Very clean looking. Good luck!

I think I should have said treads for where you place your foot. That is what I was referring to. If the floor is dark stained oak do you think I should just keep treads and rails dark as well with white baullisters? Sometimes it looks as though two different stains were used with white baullisters. Thanks so much for your input. I'm stressing about this staircase.