Contractor didnt want to, in case the glue pulls up any of the wood🤔

Leave the posts ALONE .they pair perfectly well with the very Craftsman style entry door. Are you changing that? )

Looks fantastic Nora!

I like the dark posts but I do agree with Jan that it didn't need to be done but you already bought them 5 years earlier if you change your mind you can resell them you might have to take a loss though but it's going to cost a fortune for Carpenter

Wow, what a difference! And no, don't remove anything from the newel posts--they look great as is.

That ends the tv on the stair wall convo, I'd assume?

I agree do nothing with the newel posts. You might notice it but it’s really not worth the risk and I think the style is fine actually. It’s the kind of thing we can obsess about but really is hardly noticeable. it looks fantastic! Great that you got this done and move forward.

And I personally think that arrangement of the sectional looks good… so I’ll be interested in seeing what your final solution is…

Have done nothing to the white oak posts and railing YET, they are RAW white oak and anyone that has experience staining knows that the top coat alone will darken and bring out orange and yellow tones, which I absolutely do not want. My GOAL, to protect the wood and in order to do that without turning a color I hate and would clash with my entire house, I must find a stain that dries to a nice natural/neutral finish. Does that make sense?

Why are you standing them at all? They look nice the colour they are? Why aren’t you just putting on a interior matte or satin urethane?

Staining… why are you staining them?

You need Flo Mangan here…

Liasch, have you ever worked with raw white oak? Or pretty much any raw wood?
If you had then you would understand the need to protect the surface and in order to do that a top coat is necessary, even a clear Matt water based top coat will darken the wood to a dated orangey honey pinkish tone…
No one leaves wood raw, especially if it’s on a surface that is touched or walked on…I am seeking a more modern beige tone to my finished wood, much like my flooring.

The railing remodel is a lovely addition to the entry area of your home. I agree that you should enjoy the new open feeling of the area and leave the newel post as is. Good design often evolves from things done in odd numbers (3's, 5's, etc.) The horizontal dividers on the wooden post are repeated in the matching horizontal stair treads and both are reinforced with the horizontal wall covering.

Could some sort of a white wash be mixed that would produce an undertone of gray, then seal it? Do you have any pieces of the material so you could do a sample test?

I would even try consulting with a cabinet design center.

Avairy, that is an option Iam considering. I have pieces from the post that were cut off for sampling. I have reached out to a local high end finisher and hoping to hear back.
Jayapple21, thank you! I actually didn’t even consider how much more light would come through and we are living that. If I could leave the wood raw I would, it’s beautiful as is. Wish it didn’t turn dark and orange when top coated 🤪

You T.E.S.T........ and ..

1. Choose the Right Finish Type ( WITH white pigment....)

this is not the same as "staining" which I would NOT do.

• Water-Based Polyurethane/Varnish: These are the best choice for clarity, as they dry clear and don't add yellowing like oil-based finishes do.
• Water-Based Lacquers: Also excellent for maintaining natural color.

2. Use Pigment (If Needed)

• White Pigment: To counteract the natural yellowing/orange shift in white oak, use products with white pigment, such as Osmo Polyx Raw, Rubio Monocoat Mist, or Bona Natural.
• Blue/Green Tint: A wash coat of diluted blue-green dye can neutralize orange tones before sealing.

Looks SO nice - how satisfying that must be, enjoy ✨

I wasn’t suggesting not finishing it at ALL… More suggesting not colour staining it. I do know you need to give it some kind of protective coating but I’ve never worked with oak…a previous poster’s comment on sampling is a good one because even just clearcoat can bring out tones in the wood you may not want…testing samples is a great idea.

Jan, in my “research” I have seen many recommend the same products you did, but also did not find any application on more intricate pieces like my posts, rather mainly on flooring. Because I don’t have any experience with these professional finishes, I hesitate to even consider using it. I saw something called Zar Beach House stain and I ordered it, should be here today. I think it is oil based which I didn’t want, but can a water based top coat be used once the oil based dries for 72 hrs? Iam testing everything…you say use a finish not a stain, I will go down that rabbit hole.

^^^

What do you mean by "Intricate"? It's White oak! and a handrail!

I realize you bought the components a long while back! This could have been as simple as this:

I'm not a crowd joiner , as YOU ALL KNOW.

I think it's time to really clarify your "look"

You've got a Craftsman entry door, "ship lap" stair wall.....modern sticking. Go to the back of the house, and there's your polished glam girl coming through. ...sparkle, the mirrors....

I'm just saying ..nothing lives in isolation. : )

ESPECIALLY DOWN HERE!

Yes please! Help me clarify my look…I have been working on a home color pallette as well as more clarity on overall style.
We have this solid wood front door waiting for install…I will be adding a sleek low profile interior mount shade at the top of the door for privacy at night. Was thinking reflective glass film for daytime privacy… I hate the brown painted door.

Jan, thoughts on this approach…

For the *home structure, modern northwest, clean lines, transitional finishes and colors.

For the *interior design, transitional, with art deco touches…I already have some lighting I love and just want to continue updating fixtures in the same vein throughout the house (including the entry fixture, hate it, screams “farm” and we don’t live on a farm (hubby bought and installed that years ago, I wanted to cry🤣), although I grew up riding horses and have a love for horses and outdoors🙃). I have a painting that speaks to that, I don’t need my chandelier to.

The art deco piece part in my interpretation is luxe finishes, velvet, marble, reflective surfaces, sculptural pieces or light fixtures. There’s a feeling of luxe.
The transitional piece is clean lines and shapes that are timeless, colors and finishes that are also timeless.
Here’s some lighting I have and love

My color pallette I’ve been working on…
Soft white
Beige
Charcoal (tiny drop of navy)
Brass/vintage olive
Blush
Deep Plum

✨another thing to note….
I know there is currently grey in my pallette, the walls and the sofa. Iam leaning towards removing grey from my pallette because I tend to like some contrast and like a more crisp feel. grey can be so drab. HOWEVER…grey is easier to find and a lot of times more cost effective. For that reason I may keep in my pallete.
The walls in the front room with tv are going snowfall white, it’s soft but will help get that more crisp and clean pallette.

I hate to ask..... What IS UNDER THE SHIP LAP? : ) !

I do not want the group here, to beat me senseless.

You know what I see here?

Lines and more lines...

apologies, I see.......lines from the farm?

You know I know!😭
Sheet rock is under the shiplap. It could be something we remove as part of the “big plan” down the road…

For now I would be interested in anything that would minimize it like a series of arrows going up the staircase, could a big mirror be mounted on the wall behind the front door? A new chandelier will help.

*NOT arrows 🤪 Art work

We changed out our old style oak doors to update and what a huge diff it made! I chose a “rain” glass to allow for light, yet give us privacy. I also had the “interior side painted to match all of our trim to keep it bright. The exterior was done in a very dark Espresso .

You MIGHT be able to go right over it, ( the ship lap) with 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch drywall. Skim, paint and tata.

I love the dark doors! And the rain glass is beautiful! Thank you for sharing…
Jan, yes, that would probably be the only solution my husband would consider…it will be a down the road project.
Since I like transitional style I think we can live with it as is and still get it cohesive. I will just make sure to update all fixtures and not add any country touches.
Jan, from your railing pictures, I could see most the posts if not all are white, are you saying that is your recommendation if Iam trying to streamline the look paint posts white and just do oak railing?

I love your new doorsThe Dark One and the rain glass

Being that I like the transitional aspect of modern “farmhouse” but not the farm part, should I paint the posts white? I am getting bids right now for staining and if I was to switch it up and paint posts and stain handrail then I could probably do it myself BUT most important is finishing this in a way that is more transitional so we will enjoy for years to come….

I think I would paint it black isn't your door black?

Well I went back and look at it I guess it looks like a chocolate brown or something match it to your new doors that you put in and it should match pretty close to your front door otherwise paint your front door to match

What law dictates the newel had to be stained oak? Because you bought it.

A "clean" straight newel as you seem to WANT, after the fact, as you were asking about "removing detail" and and the carpenter said proceed at your peril?" needed only paint!

The handrail? Oak or satin black! The post? Of course you could paint it, NOT black, white.

I'm not trying to frustrate you, I truly am not. This is an outgrowth of piecemeal design... over a lengthy period. We all understand resources. .....so there's that too. But, even over time, there has to be a clear "intent"

What is your FAVORITE part of the house?

"Olive and plum, "beige/oatmeal are nice.......why gray anything? Why a "dab of navy?!!!

Really, you might look into some local designer to take your great taste to the level you want, and help you edit. ..........save you regrets and afford more CUSTOM options than a click online will ever offer.

I wonder if most people look at their home and see the imperfections or what ifs or how many look at it all and are just in love. To me a home is a constantly evolving work in progress that takes on different turns as ones family does and as time goes on. I am not a pro or expert in any way but when I see your pictures, changes and choices i see a well kept and beautiful space. I don’t notice of it is different styles at all. It honestly looks lovely to me.

I appreciate you Jan, you are so right about where I find myself…piecemeal over years. I really like the idea of white posts and oak or black railing. If I paint then I can take the bottom trim piece with no worries of staining issues, yay!Thank you! You aren’t frustrating me, you are confirming what’s been frustrating me, my piecemeal.

My favorite part of the house? Good question, *The flooring and railing and light fixtures. The rest of the house is so boring and has nothing special.

I say charcoal as a color because dining chairs are that color…I like dark for dining upholstery because it hides a lot. What dark color could replace the charcoal?
grey in the color scheme will go, the sofa will be the last grey thing to go, but Iam so done with it.

After looking at jan's pictures, I was liking the paint idea for the posts. It just seems to blend in and not be so prominent, especially when I look back at your picture from the front door with the shelving unit in the background. I'm not a pro, so that's jmo.

Thank you WestCoast Hopeful, I agree, it is ever changing and that is the beauty and the challenge. I enjoy interior design so Iam taking my time to be intentional and the effort feels more like a passion project that anything.

Painting the posts white is actually the thing that makes the most sense visually.

Since the posts are becoming a bit of a conundrum for you, imo you certainly don’t want to go to a place of no return, perhaps wait until the door is in? See which direction you want to go on those. The slight color difference in wood from the stairs may not be worth a permanent stain color change if it doesn’t work out? Did you say they were already sealed with a clear coat are they still bare wood?

Posts are unfinished raw white oak

I am not sure how long the wood can stay raw before just hand oil would create staining issues. The door probably won’t go in right away.

Ok I thought I read still raw. Hand oil could create issues. Anything oil on first will not fare well if you go a water based over the any oil sealer or oil anything. As far as the shiplap there, a large piece of art can minimize if you’re not wanting to keep the farmhouse shiplap look. At least until you decide that direction vs changing that wall. As mentioned earlier do some testing with a sealer mixing white wash white. See if it will lighten them up. Stick with water based to be safe for if you decide to paint them afterwards. That raw wood will be a sponge for any first application.

Jan asked, what is your favorite part of the house..........

*The flooring and railing and light fixtures. The rest of the house is so boring and has nothing special."

"The kitchen, dining and hearth room are very close to being done."

Then she said......yes! Clarify...here ya go, as it pertains to the stair, and up to you if you read the rest

Or "did my train go off the rail" ?

THIS picture below, will begin and end my diatribe.: ) ........call it a short/long version story of look before you leap. That there is no such thing as "JUST change this thing I hate in my house"..It's also a story of God lives in details when .........the person who is the type who SEES the details,obsesses on the details, but maybe not with total clarity and can get lost in a heavily treed forest.The left side down here is one of Nora's inspo pics

________________________________________________________________________________It takes

a LOT of patience to back up, and get a sense of Nora's entire thread...... A LOT as Houzz compresses and you must do "read more" clicks. Nearly impossible on a phone!

The stair INSPO picture below ( 3 k before "parts"))

( should be noted, that is VERTICALLY installed ship lap in the pic and not a small detail.)

"The staircase remodel is $3,000. not including parts….kinda now wondering if it’s worth it if the tv is blocking some of it." ( definitely not worth it with a tv there so that bit the dust.forever.)

"I'm mostly very happy with all this back here.........( kitchen and hearth)"

To me? I call this lovely... a hit of the glowy/girly/glam, and call it whatever you like.

"I want a CRISP modern, sprinkle of deco, transitional part of the PNW farm, NOT the country part of the farm........."

Some of my inspos!!! below

Nora did a mock up!!!!!! below..........

What if ANY point is Jan making.

This: At some point in long process up the road design method, the comes a thing called "decision fatigue" There comes that point where you need to stand back, and ask where am I going? Is the money I am spending taking me where I want to go or NOT?

Now.........scroll back, and help me here. WHAT if anything about the NEWEL post color, (wood or paint) relates to all the pics I just posted? Does it NEED to be wood?

What did Nora really WANT? Was it this down here? I'd bet the ranch ( I do not have a ranch) on that.

Down below............What IF you paint the newel white, and leave just the cap as oak?

Yes, I know the post you have, versus this more streamlined post........HANG IN UNTIL END?

A Nora inspo left side of screen shot.....down here

I SAVED THE Nora DREAM FOR LAST?

.

IS IT EVER TOO LATE TO FIX A BOO BOO/boo hoo?? NOT in this case it isn't.

CALL IT WHOOPS, THERE IT IS with the FIX?

The TRIM is driving you nuts? Then you remove and you PAINT.It will need immaculate prep.

If it isn't the "fix" ( all below ), this particular designer has lost her mind, and is no longer the interpreter of dreams..... a tragic beginning to a new year, lol

Look, look, look, before you leap and open a wallet, because if you're picky and have a sty;e sense as this op does? Your mistakes will make you insane. GOD of your style is in the d.e.t.a.i.l.s or lack of them.

"Contractor didn't want to, ( remove trim ) in case the glue pulls up any of the wood🤔

Paint.......and IMMACULATE prep. Paint... satin finish, trim WHITE post only. New cap, oak. Or live with it and seal and move on.

In color..........

Happy New Year

That looks very nice Jan! Thank you for taking the time. I do have design fatigue but usually this is my annoying process to vet everything out. In the past I’ve been pretty happy with the choices I made after a deep dive.
Thanks for riding along with me, it never ends😁

When you dive, You come up for air....and go back down again.

It's a fix, or you're happy. ....and you leave it and go back to the clear coat finish spin.

We all know this ISN'T you........anyone reading 300 plus comments figures that out.

The question is...what's the INTENT?

IS iit the V8 moment or is it n.o.t.

Only you know the answer.