Question: Why not just remove it and repaint? seems like a odd spot to have that along with everything else you have going on there. To be honest that fake tree needs to go. And you would put nothing there is a main walkway with limited room as it is! If you are talking about the banister, yes paint it white. Sorry not trying to be rude, just honest.

I’d honestly remove that grid trim work, paint and set a narrow bench or console if it’s not too tight there. It looks like it might be too narrow of a space, though. You have a lot going on with all the very small things up your staircase wall. I think quieting the foyer area is the way to go. I agree with painting the banister white, because that will visually quiet the space, too.

Painting the grid trim the color of the wall is a good idea, too.

Thank you. My husband literally just spent 5 hours doing the grid trim yesterday so that is staying. I was thinking painting it the color of the wall. He wants to do it black. The only way I’d agree to black is if he did the staircase black iron.

I like the detail, it’s a neat accent wall, so am another vote for painting the trim the wall color. It’s got a choppy and busy look right now, and doesn’t flow well.

Here are examples of how much more cohesive it looks all the same color:

Gray:

In your second picture, I’m not seeing room to put anything against the stair wall? If you don’t need furniture there, I’d leave it empty. But it’s hard to tell from these angles.

Paint the grid and the wall one color. It will erase the pattern (which is busy) and replace it with just the texture, and who doesnt love a bit of texture?

Paint it the wall color than, paint the newel/bluster/riser white and maybe let him have the black on the hand rail.

I don’t know, RL. Do you think it might look disjointed to just have the one black accent among the painted gridwork and wood trim everywhere else? What you’re showing looks great, but it’s with all white and black.

I can’t picture it. We need Celery to come do a mock-up! I looked for pictures, but can’t find one that has the wood trim, too.

Agree, would paint trim same color as wall.

Would leave banister stained, as it seems to match floor.

Consider staining it

Paint grid same color as wall. Remove faux plant. Can't wait to see the finished photos; your husband did a nice job!

Your husband did a really nice job on that trimwork and the stairway wall is laid out very nice with the frames. Looking at your photo, the area looks busy busy, with trimwork, spindles and all the frames on stairwall. I would paint trimwork same as wall to calm it down. If that area is near main entrance then a cute bench could look nice there. If not near entry then perhaps a small console table. If it's just a passage way, nothing needs to go there in front of trim wall. I don't see much use of black with all the frames so cannot visualize using black anywhere. Maybe remove the faux tree and whatever that is wrapped around the railing to get a cleaner look of the space so you can decide how you wish to proceed. Looks like you have the same trimwork around the home, baseboards, etc. so I would likely not want to change the stairway, however, the steps and treads might be a change to consider when budget allows.

It’s coming along. Just need the bench to come in and paint the trim work. Opinions always welcome! Thanks.

Much improved. Not quite so busy but still interesting.

Good job.

Good job, looks much more cohesive and intentional.

The dark trim by the stairs…..paint it wall color, white or black?

Not black, I wouldn’t introduce another, different element to the overall look, that ties into nothing. Either of the others would look fine, or leave it as is.

I would leave it just the way it is now. The bannister looks nice, and goes well with your floor. The wall is painted. If you have room, there, for a longer narrow table, I would put that there, and I kind of like the fake plant where you had it. Nothing wrong with a nice looking fake plant. They look good, and are very easy to take care of too, and it adds more interest than what you have there now.

Husband did a good job. Keep going! Take that feature all the way up the stair wall. Paint it and the stairs white. Give him his dose of black with the handrail, newel post and treads (after removing the carpet.)

Black treads, railing and newel post

Crisp Architects · More Info

Here's a white newel post, but I'd want all black and your trim-out all white.

Kwinter Design · More Info

I have a question for those of you posting these black and white schemes: what about the stained wood trim everywhere else? How would it tie in?

I’m not asking in a rude way, genuinely wondering. It’s nice-looking, but I can’t see where it would begin and end. What am I missing? The inspiration photos have white trim everywhere.

I see a stained baseboard in the hall but white trim around the high window across from the stairs. How much stained trim is there? Perhaps paint the stained trim that is visible from the room where the stairs are, and leave it alone in the rest of the house (until you feel like tackling all of it!)

I agree with the comment above, what if you did remove that gallery wall (extend the grid to the stair wall) and made the moulding your art?

Amanda, can we all come tour your house? We need to see it in person.

I’ll bring the wine if someone else will bring the Chex Mix and cookies.

😁

Jinx….Hahaha deal! I love my picture wall so I’m keeping that. Otherwise I’d be patching a lot of holes and the hubby would kill me. Lol I may just darken the stained trim to match the flooring better.

I find the picture wall too busy, the items too small and too spread out. Would love to see the trim grid continued there and the hallway or your bedroom upstairs filled with the photos, without any big box store decor.

Unified framing of different sized photos but symmetrical hanging

Entries · More Info

Unified photo and framing (one hand's breadth apart)

My Houzz: Designer Breathes Life Into Her Family’s Historic Home · More Info

Mixed frames unified by the horizontal line

Porch House · More Info

A bit of overkill and chaos (many are too small to be appreciated at a distance.)

Marda Project · More Info

Most memorable ones unified on canvas and in sepia tones

Fairy Lake Home · More Info

Cohesiveness on stairs

Photo collage · More Info

More blown up canvases in black and white (perhaps in that hallway behind the stairs.)

Focal point wall in new living room · More Info