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Why are you putting molding on that staircase? Are you putting it in the downstairs hallway also? Is this a colonial/traditional style home? Are you changing out the old fashioned carpet on the stairs?

Do you have tha molding anywhere else ? IMO that staircase is already busy and looks narrow so would be a no for me. If yo change the hand rail on one side it needs to be the same on the other for me all of is a big no

My home is traditional. Not a huge home.
I’m putting the moldings through the entire hallway downstairs and upstairs. I wanted to add texture and interest. The banister runs along the upstairs hallway. And opens to the stairs. As I stated, we are also removing the carpet and putting wood stained treads with white hiders and a runner down the center.

@PatriciaColwellConsulting what about the current stairway makes it “busy”?

That was to read ‘risers’ not hiders

Do you have a mock-up of the box frame molding that you can post? I am wondering how well it coordinates with the newel post and doors in the adjacent hallway.

Just because you can find it on the internet, does not make it a great look: :)

Art, is a great way to make a stair look interesting. A wallpaper in foyer, continuing up a stair is another and can set a color palette for the rntire living floor. . . It's possible that handrail doesn't even meet code......looks like a few fingers barely can fit between it and the wall.

@janmoyer the current handrail definitely meets code. I can’t fit my fist between the handrail and the wall. This is irrelevant to the question.
Agreed not everything on the Internet is great look. IMO frame modeling is traditional and an attractive way in a monochromatic color scheme to add interest.
I can’t find exactly the image I’m looking for. I’m heading out right now. But basically this going up the stairs and in the hallways.

Here is basically what I was planning on doing in a neutral monochromatic paint.

I’d get the stairs done first then re-assess the need for this

The molding on the post at the bottom , the fancy spindles and 2 hand rails and 2 colors for those all make it busy. I asked is that molding anywhere else ? Putting it in the stairwell with no connection to any place else is not a good idea.

I understand the want of mill work , of some beef to boring drywall. But I don't favor jamming square pegs, into round holes. I completely understand the look - a quiet elegance and formality. ......?

Post the OTHER areas in your home? Add more Jpegs.

Some things ARE lovely, others are more forced and less so

Do I love this? Not so much

This is different....: )

My house is in total disarray right now. Dining room and family room furniture is piled up in our living room.
Living room has a Steinway baby grand, Baker and Kittinger Williamsburg reproduction furniture from Craft house, a mahogany Century curio. Dupioni silk interlined drapes on 4 windows.
Dining room is cherry Lexington.

@janmoyer why are you thinking I’m jamming a round peg into a square hole? Please clarify the analogy. The molding is also going in the dining room on the bottom and I’m papering with a monochromatic custom wallpaper. I’m currently having all our wood floors refinished.