I'd choose a creamy white paint color, like SW Alabaster and choose a carpet with a mix of creamy tones, possibly a textured carpet.

Paint the trims and the walls the same color, the white is too stark a contrast for a modern feel.

Thanks, Lyn. The white on the stairs and interior door are just the unfinished wood waiting for trim paint, that's why it's so stark at the moment. The paint colors will come, not so worried about that yet, just the carpet. I agree a mix of tones seem like the right move.

I'd select a carpet in a colorway to coordinate with your tile, but have a pattern with a bit of white to coordinate with your railing and ballusters.

Great pics, thank you Beverly. I love a good chervron or herringbone!

I guess my hang up with the tile is do I coordinate to the tile color when it's cool/neutral (which I prefer), or when the warm SW light has it reading yellow/gold? When it's flashing warm/gold it is pretty bossy.

FWIW, when I tried to do this paint color first vs carpet first, I found that yellow undertones do not like the tile during it's "cool" stretch of the day (BM: Gentle Cream for example), and taupe looks ugly when the tile is warm.

All these rugs are from Ballard Designs. I have at times purchased area rugs and had the installer cut them to use on staircases when the pattern was what was required. They will turn and glue the edges or overcast the edges so they don't unravel and it produces a very unique appearance.

I like those, thank you. I'm still learning carpet lingo but would using a wool like those vs a nylon 6/6 change the type of pad needed? I believe it was a 8lb last time with the nylon carpet. If you don't get to respond I'll check with the flooring sales guy. Thanks again!

I think the carpet guy will tell you he uses a different pad on stairs versus wall to wall in a room. You don't want bounce.