I like the look of all white with a runner.

Keep it black and put in a new runner. Just make sure your future hardwood works with the black accents of the staircase.

That's the thing. I had been thinking of going with either a light or medium brown hardwoord. Won't be for a year or so though. Aside from the flooring, the rest of my house has white doors and trim with the walls being light gray.

Would honestly like to stay away from runners if possible.

Any flooring choice will suit black and it’s a nicer look than grey. If you search grey staircases, you won’t find many. To soften, choose a less stark black but railing will need to be done as well. Be sure to test, as it’s a tedious job and an important decision.

White visually calms the staircase. Are you wanting to avoid runners because of maintenance? Painting both steps and risers white will make it easier to do paint touch-ups without having to tape anything off.

Yes basically I was thinking of not having a runner due to maintenance. Maybe down the line i'd do one.....I don't know. Right now I have the painter doing work at my house so I need to make a decision quickly unfortunately. The gray thing just sort of popped up as an idea when he was putting the primer down (which is white and he added a bit of black). We both thought it kind of looked nice because it seemed to be softer in comparison to the black

Maureen

Yes I wonder if the answer might be a softer black? I just had all the spindles repainted and so the steps and the railing have to be done next. Ha it's crunch time so I'd like to have a color that will kinda go with with whatever hardwood I plan on putting in. I realize I could get it all painted again after hardwood, but if I don't have to...that would be nice as well.

I don't think you can go wrong with basic black. It will look great with light or medium brown hardwood floors -- just don't go too dark.

Any suggestions for a black that would go with a light or medium hardwood?

The current black I have on there is Benjamin Moore Pearl black.

SW Tricorn Black is best.

Gray steps reminds me of our painted front porch floor and stairs down to the sidewalk we had for many years when I was growing up. Seems like that look would not be suitable for your fine home.

Love the look of the pictures. On a side note, although it won't be for a year or so, I'm really torn of which direction to go for flooring. I will be doing the entire upstairs and main floor with engineered hardword. The only 'constant' I will have in the house is that my doors and trim are white. Currently my walls are a light grayish but obviously that can be changed no problem. I do like the classic look of some of the flooring shown above or a medium brown. Some suggest I keep moving with lighter colors for flooring. Decisions, Decisions.

Lighter flooring is the “trend” but for your home medium brown with no red would be my suggestion.

Definitely not seeing red in my future at all. Ya geez I worry about that trend factor. It will be such a huge project to redo the flooring up and down, it's not something i'll ever want to do again.

For sure! Avoid grays for sure. A less busy look will stand the test of time.

Oh yes and gray flooring is definitely out as well.

Flo- do you have any recommendations I should be on the look out for?

I love black staircases. Mine are painted black with a runner. I cannot imagine black without a runner. I think you will constantly be cleaning them off.

Maybe after I get my floors in I’ll think about a runner. At the moment I’m just enjoying not having one for the first time in years

Black is a better look, and a runner really is a nice addition. It saves on touch ups, so your paint job lasts longer, and its also safer, for people going up and down.

Thought you might like this black and article is informative.

https://www.farrow-ball.com/en-us/paint-colours/off-black?utm_source=aw&awc=22535_1676382785_c1e107841af7e24ed9ec9097a5cb79bc

I think it looks fabulous!

Lovely!

Thank you everyone for helping me make an informed decision. Much appreciated! Still needs a second coat and some touch up but was anxious to share. I currently have silver hardware on my doors and I’m thinking maybe when I change the flooring I should possibly use black to tie in with the staircase. Just a thought

Beautiful! Black matte hardware would be lovely too.

What color did you use on treads and railing? Looks so chic and magazine ready! A small scale herringbone runner will be lovely. Many options available when you are ready. A professional install will be needed for your stairs. Each stair is always slightly different and they have to be templated and cut for perfect look. But that’s for another day. I can help with flooring, but wait until you are about 3-6 months from installation because there are continuing new products coming onto the market and you want the best for your budget when the time is right.

Btw, so happy you did the railing too. Splendid!

Thanks Flo! As always I appreciate the feedback and pointers from everyone. The whole main floor is one giant work in progress so this is all step by step….no pun intended. Tomorrow I need to look from door handles/knobs for my French doors. I wonder if I should stick with chrome until I can change all the other hardware to black

Gorgeous! It’s elegant. You made the right choice with black and white.

Hardwood floors in a medium brown are also classic. Gray floors have already come and gone. Lighter woods are making a comeback but your house would feel more “grounded” with a classic brown hardwood.

You have posted other photos of the entry, so I am also thinking of that space and now your beautiful staircase.

Thanks so much RedRyder and thanks for all your contributions over the years. I kinda figured gray wouldn’t last. I do see that trend of really light flooring on tv shows etc but I think you’re right that a classic brown would be more grounded. It would be interesting to see a mock up of sorts with different flooring to give me an idea

I wish I was proficient at mocking up!

Are you looking at engineered hardwood floors? It’s what my mind pictured when I saw the finished staircase.

Yes definitely going with engineeried hardwood flooring. On a side note. Any suggestions for hardware for these French doors? When I do the flooring I’ll exchange the hardware and go black but for now I think I need chrome because my other doors are chrome. Suggestions welcomed!

I liked the first but wonder if I’d be safer with something like the last one

The first one is my favorite but I love dark colors. I never think fabulous rooms are safe. OTOH those dark floors will be a nightmare to keep clean.

Should I have the handles on the French match the existing doors around it

hmm or maybe knobs