What are you going to do abopuot the wood filler at every hole where the iron ballusters are going? That will stain very obvious. And yes 3 straight plain iron balusters will look like a prison. The handrail, drops, volutes and newels also to me do not appear to be the correct style for iron baluster's of any kind.

A shoe will cover the opening. Like the photo. No shoe needed at the top for a new rail.

" A shoe will cover the opening. "

OK.

The "trend" in building has shifted away from those open 2-story catwalk staircases ...

That is what dates your space to 1990 and not the actual finish or balusters. It will always look busy because you can look through both sides of the staircase.

If you search on Houzz photos you can see lots of staircase photos.

Search box at top/middle of page. Type in "staircase". Then select "staircase IN PHOTOS".

Even if you were willing to replace the treads to get fresh new holes, yours will always look busy because it will be duplicated on the other side ...

Huntington Harbor · More Info

All true. Which is why we are trying to figure out a simple baluster with a design that does not overwhelm the space.

" Which is why we are trying to figure out a simple baluster with a design that does not overwhelm the space. "

But 3 is really 6 (because of the two sides with railing) which adds to the business and prison bar look.

Have you considered doing a closed pony wall on the side that faces the living area? Leave the foyer as the focal point.

Just trying to make the best of what we have. Closing off the family room side (taking the wall all the way up to the ceiling )would require taking out the entire stair staircase.

I think they mean like this to the wall with the TV. So only one set of railings on that portion.

Yes, like that.

^^^ Exactly.

I'm not a builder, but to keep the treads the same width, the wall would be bumped out 4" for a 4" wide pony wall?

And this is what I do to help my decision. We are not building a pony wall. Bought 1 1/4” wide balusters and iron 1/2” and taped them so you are seeing them through the railings .

Well, it isn't going to look any busier than it already does with the wood. You are just changing materials and not really changing the basic look and design.

New newel posts (square), new railing, white stringers and risers should be a big changes. Treads and railing stained to match floor. Not as orange. Yes, still open switchback stairs.

White sounds very nice.

This is so helpful. We are considering having a diamond pattern made with knuckles on alternating treads. Not sure if it is too much.

I'm not a pro but thinking oustside the box...would glass sides or horizontal balisters be an option in this case? Maybe horizontal cables?

It's a modern look since you don't like Colonial.

That third picture is not an improvement.

" would glass sides or horizontal balisters be an option in this case? Maybe horizontal cables "

Glass would be approx $1,000 a LF plus and Horizontal Cable in many locales is not to code as it can be climbed like a ladder.

This is what we did. But I agree that horizontal rails or wire rails would be the least busy.

As millworkman mentioned, horizontal rails are dangerous, since children can climb them and topple over.

Based on your mock up I think the 2x2 looks better than the iron but I’m basically just a little tired of the iron.

Finished project. We love it. Huge improvement.

I love it. Very striking.

looks terrific - you must be super happy with how it turned out!

Looks great!!

Wow! That turned out really well. Enjoy!

We did this.. I would never be basic. Just play with different variations. It takes stock items and makes them yours

The project is already done, and the homeowner is pleased with it, as is everyone else who's commented in the past few days. But you'd have known that if you had read the recent posts.

Well that didn't take long. I thought this was a discussion board. Where we all share our ideas. To get inspired and to inspire. But I guess I didn't read that either.. jeeze. Happy day to you too

Thank you for the nice responses. Im glad some people still see that this app is about growing ideas through sharing. Because today's inspirations will out live most projects completion dates. That's why completed jobs stay on the app to inspire..

Ps Punchout - This is a discussion board where everyone shares ideas in order to inspire/be inspired. However, the OP posted the dilemma 11 months ago = it almost took a year to complete the project.

The OP updated the post two days ago in order to post photos of the finished staircase update.

People typically don't offer a homeowner more options after the OP has just shared photos of the completed project (plus, OP is very happy with her updated staircase).

@Barb Wise - your updated staircase looks great - it definitely doesn't give off "prison vibes" due to all of the black balusters!

Actually is was finished 7 months ago. I forgot to post final pictures. Sorry.

Don't be sorry, Barb. It's so nice when homeowners post the finished photos, whenever they get a chance. Again, it looks great!