Neither really suits the arched openings in your home. Or even the doors........and the Craftsman style staircase is odd man out as well. I'd avoid adding to the confusion.

We are updating the floors/staircase as well. Any ideas of how to create a brighter feel and eye catching entry when you walk into the house?

I agree neither of those work in the spaces and as for eye catching get some art a nice console table with some simple decor and if you must add achunkier chair rail in the DR. What are you planning for the staircase BTW.

We were planning on refinishing the wood floor, treads and railing to a lighter wood color, adding a runner and painting the risers and banisters white. I hear what you are saying about the dining room and that makes sense to me. I’m clearly not a designer but can you explain why the wainscoting along the stairway wouldn’t look right? I had my heart set on it so trying to find other ways to make it work. We were willing to cut out archways as it was part of our original scope of work but cut back due to budget.