I think you need to post some pics of your space and the staircase.

Check out @artisansignaturehomes on instagram, you will see examples of the most beautiful wood stair rails. Classic but fresh. It can still be done.

guess it depends on the look you want. if you want a staircase with 1985 oak and spindles, you could do those.

but if you wanted something a bit more up to date, you could do the squared off spindles and stain or just paint those

I think this looks better:

@Color Zen. Beautiful Homes!! One of the stair designs actually is very similar to what I was thinking of putting in. In those houses, it certainly doesn’t look dated at all.

There are simple wood spindles that are still classic in design

@BeverlyFLADeziner, thanks. I am thinking of simple wood spindles similar to ones you have posted. I have spoken to 4 stair installers for quotes and they all told me that they are only seeing requests for iron spindles with wood railings. In fact the person who came today said he just ripped out wooden spindles which didn’t need repair from his most recent client’s house and put in iron spindles. So I guess for some reason iron spindles are trending here now.

I wouldn't pay too much attention to trends if it is not your style. Wooden spindles will never go out of style--they are timeless and classic. The iron ones will have their day and then be gone.

Spindles painted white with dark stained handrails and posts are light and airy as opposed to spindles which are stained the same color as handrail and posts and can look dark and heavy.

And when the trend changes and it will are you prepared to change your spindles for the new trend? Get what you like keep it simple it will be timeless no matter what the stair guy says

I agree with those who say "ignore trends". As someone else said, houses last a long time. Wooden spindles are a standard; they aren't going to look out-of-style in the least.

Wood spindles are absolutely not dated. This is a new construction home we just completed. We used simple "pool-cue" style spindles.

Classic wood spindles are painted, the handrail and newel post would be the items stained to match or compliment your hardwood. Timeless and not trendy at all

Thanks everyone! Beautiful pictures of different staircases. None of these look like it will become outdated to me at all. Actually looks timeless. I am now wondering if the stair guys are thinking of the honey oak stained wood spindles and railings from the 70’s or 80’s. I need to show them these pictures and tell them these are the styles I am thinking of. Also. I am sure I am not the only one they have stated this opinion about wood spindles being outdated, so hopefully once they see these pictures, they can also give better input to other clients that have this same question.

@ Kristin Petro Interiors, beautiful staircase and workmanship! Painted spindles with wood stained handrails really look great - @typeandrun definitely see your point!

I look at tons of homes in the high end real estate market and I see both. You have a traditional home, stick to traditional aspects. I suspect iron spindles cost a bit more therefore the “push”.

A wood stair shop can buy the iron balusters and fabricate the wood railing in house. But if you want iron balusters and an iron hand railing, that specialty involves a shop that can work metal, or they have to call in an outside shop to custom fabricate the handrailings. Shops might push you towards whatever is easiest for them to do. Select the style that fits your home.

Whatever makes him the most money is what he’s going to tout as ”in style”. Cheap import metal spindles translate to a huge profit margin. Better quality hand done domestically produced iron can be a classic, but it comes with a substantial price for actual quality. Wood is both classic and economical.

https://www.indital.com/Wrought-Iron-Balusters-s/1817.htm

This vast selection used to be imported from Italy. I can't guarantee that anymore, but this is the source that most companies use for wrought iron balusters.