Hmmm… I’ll have to think on painting it all black. The white newel posts with black handrail is too busy looking for me….

Thank you for the idea Jan- I hadn’t considered either of these ideas. 😊

Your posts could have used more "beef" ........: ) See your DOOR style...

Too late on the posts…

Your 1x4 on the flat on top is out of code for a handrail.

Hmmmm interesting. I didn’t build the stairs myself. Guess I will have to figure that out when selling in 7 years.

Like Jan said, what if you did black risers and handrail?

or, everything white, just do the handrail in an espresso or black

all black, white risers

gray

or, do a darker espresso shade, but mix a little of the red to it.

just to show you, two diff stain colors. your treads are like the rails. try staining your rail the color of this floor. looks like a regular walnut or provencial color

Beth all of my floors are the same gunstock color, except the ugly gray tile (that is being torn out in a few weeks). If I changed the stair treads I would have to change it all.

I didn't mean change them, I thought you could just tone it a bit. but I see you have it throughout, so never mind!

I like the black idea or the espresso/java stain.

what is going in place of the gray tiles?

All black is stunning!

I am planning on using mannington lvt. I like this one- but feel like it might be too light. I am open to suggestions. Do not want to continue the wood floor and do not want more ceramic tile…

I just don't think bringing in gray is a good mix w/this wood. (at least not a blue gray) do you have any samples of that flooring?

what if you did large porcelain tile? say, 24x24 with very small grout lines? you need something in black, or a warmer greige or beige.

the size looks like this. basically 4 of your current square tiles are one of these.

comes in a 12x24 too. this one is Basic Cement-silver porcelain tile from Tilebar.

the color works w/the wood and gray in the front door.

but if doing the black on the stairs, a black slate (or a porcelain) would look great

I like the large hex option. if you did this shape, they could weave it into the wood floor so that there isn't a solid line.

Basalt tile is another option. this stuff is hard and easy to clean.

Why not just match your wood floors and wood door stain for the posts and handrails? Paint the lower trim white like your other trim in the house. It would look great with the black spindles without looking as heavy as a full black staircase.

A ebony stain rather than paint would be a softer look but still look modern. Then do a entry section like the size of that rug in a black and white printed tile.

So many great ideas!!! Thank you.

ah, I'm glad you clarified that you're removing the tile. I was going to suggest a charcoal gray to help the staircase blend with the flooring and door color. Otherwise, I'd go with a wood color that is just a few shades darker than your treads.

I’ll stop at the flooring store tomorrow and grab some samples. We plan to do the flooring ourselves. We are both skilled/handy people.

what kind of wood is that? (the rails?)

if using an ebony stain, i'd suggest doing a black aniline dye first. Or just see if the dye is enough

I did the dye and the ebony stain for some oak doors and trim

dye only

dye+ebony stain and an ebony oil Penofin sealer

comes out really black if you do the both, but still allows the grain

So many colors going on in there....I'd stick to a highly washable white paint. I have 3 mechanics in the house, a good white paint washes and wears well.

Since you are handy, you may know this, but it is important to “condition” raw new wood before any staining. Many methods available. Just query Google or YouTube for good ideas. Just don’t get wood too wet. The grain might raise and you will have more sanding to do.

"what kind of wood is that? (the rails?)"

Poplar.

joseph, that's what I thought.

poplar really isn't the best wood for staining. it's better for painting.

always has a greenish undertone to it. try out some warmer stain colors w/a bit of red to it so that it cancels out some of the green.

if you feel like you want to do them in Black, just paint them black. forget the staining. Use Advance-semi gloss

I would use paint for the reasons mentioned. And black seems to go best with your staircase as it is now.

Railing and posts are poplar. I would agree that they don’t stain well and read as greenish. I really like the idea of black… I hadn’t considered it, but can see that it will make things less busy.

I do love Benjamin Moore Advance, but I’m more of a satin kind of girl. 😊

I appreciate all of the feedback. I’ll post pictures when done!

you mean satin finish? Advance has a satin finish.

another one to try is General Finishes Milk paint in Lampblack. it lays down a nice coat in a satin finish. I've used it on numerous projects. Easy paint to work with

(I would spray or brush on a wood sealer prior to painting. use a Shellac in the spray can for easy use. when dry, go over it w/320 sanding sponge. wipe clean w/mineral spirits. Now apply the paint.

Thanks Beth! Yes, I meant a satin finish. 😊 I worked for a Benjamin Moore dealer for 10 years! I appreciate the detailed steps on how to paint, so many people don’t prep correctly…

I have started painting base trim white! It’s going to take a while. Still haven’t painted the Newell posts and handrails yet, but it’s supposed to be rainy this week… so hopefully I can get it done by Friday. I had to wrap up the school year before making it to the flooring store. But I have three samples here that I like. Thoughts? I want lvt (sorry I don’t like ceramic or stone) with no grout line.

We recently got a new puppy which also takes up lots of my time!! 😊

Well, the puppy (?) big one! He/she goes with the wood flooring! If you want lighter overall, the one on the left is best. If you want lighter but more interesting pattern, middle is nice.

cute pup!

So, I put them here in this pic. sorry, but other than the no-blu color, it looks very similar to what's already there. I don't think vinyl plank is the way to go, not next to the oak flooring. I think you can do better

and if you don't want grout lines, then get a rectified porcelain tile w/1/32" or 1/16" grout lines. you won't even see them

I think something like this 24x24 Terrazzo-look porcelain tile would look great in that spot.

https://www.tilebar.com/collection/tile-mosaic-sub-categories/large-format-tile.html?rm1

I personally love terrazzo, but don’t think it works with my style of home. Porcelain is hard- I just want something softer and am not willing to do real hardwood all through my house…. I live in the country- think wet and muddy boys and dog. I’m only planning to live here another 5-7 years. I can’t stand the color/grout of current tile. Lot is affordable and durable. I’m open to other styles or colors.

it's not real terrazzo. it's porcealin. and wet and muddy is fine on these tiles.

I just posted a tile w/tiny grout lines since that's what you mentioned u disliked about your other tiles.

vinyl planks don't last 1/4 the time of tiles.

If all you're looking for is durable, then get whatever is the cheapest. I'm just trying to match your wood floor and new stairs on the entry way.

I understand the wish to do vinyl with a house full of boys and a puppy. I don’t love the ones you’ve brought home as they don’t work with the wood flooring that is there. Large porcelain tiles are also durable and offer better color choices. Perhaps you can shop that product.

I would do the weather wash stain to get the grey color along with some warm tones to tie it together

RedRyder- do have any other vinyl suggestions? Do you not like the color or the pattern?

I think your LVT sample on the far left works perfectly fine with your hardwood floors. It's the lightest option with a touch of warmth to coordinate with the floors, and lighter parts that look good with your white trim. You could also go with a darker gray option, like a slate look, but stay away from anything that looks like a woodgrain. If you used the lighter floor option, you could keep your handrails stained a light, natural color. If you go with a deeper gray on the floors, you can use a handrail stain darker than your hardwood floors.

Almost all of my tile flooring has been ripped up and I finally picked a new flooring to go down. I chose mannington riviera island. I know some people don’t like lvt, but I do and I’m excited to get a new floor. 😊

Almost done with my new flooring. I am a diy-er and a perfectionist so I’m slooooow. But the job gets done really well AND I learn new skills along the way.

Still need to finish up small area by the door and make a transition piece. Also need to put baseboard back up. But I am very happy with the improved floor!

Railings still not done. 😂

Nice stair rails! We will be redoing our stair rails soon and I like the look of this. following to see what you do with the stain.

What did you end up choosing for the stair rails and posts? I’m getting my stairs redone and have similar wood floors, and I’m struggling with which stain color to choose.

Lori, if you start your own post, you might get more help. post a pic of what you're working with and your floors. I can give you some stain options

I ended up staining it black! I only have an in progress picture, I’ll take a finished photo when I have a chance, but here is the first coat of black stain. I love it. It looks clean and not too busy.