I agree, there would originally have been just one cast iron spindle per stair. The newel post would have been wooden I think and you'll be able to pick up a new, traditional style pine one from any timber merchant, probably less than £100. It's a shame that the 'bullnoses' have been cut back but if it was all sanded down and painted or varnished to blend in I don't think it would look wrong at all. The alternative is to get a joiner to make up bullnose profile pieces to attach to the end of each tread, but you'd have to paint them as the wood wouldn't match the original. Replacing every tread would cost a fortune. The banister rail will sand down with a bit of hard work and probably be a nice piece of wood underneath that you can varnish. It'll look lovely once it's done, you'll have to post 'after' picture for us!

Hi James Definitely close your apertures first, as you may come to a halt with tiling should you need to finish near or end up wanting to cover the aperture with tiles. Best to have the room 'ready' for decorating. If you'd like any advice or guidance on design etc, feel free to contact me directly. Kerry

Being totally honest - as I always aim to be ... having a software package doesn’t instantly make you a concept planner.... yes it’s fun for home owners to ‘have a go’ at planning their own project and I enjoy seeing some of the ideas that others who have downloaded software come up with on these sort of dilemmas for people, and some of the ideas that come out on these threads are great - but some are so way off the mark and not inline with building regs that I do worry that there will be comeback if people go ahead and use them. I can just see it now ‘but it said it on Houzz, so it must be ok’ - no, not necessarily! Don’t get me wrong , I have the greatest respect for the people who regularly offer their time and ideas on here - but please please please homeowners, don’t always assume that these ideas are finished and viable... They are ideas, suggestions, something to print off and to take with you for your meeting with your builder/ architect/ design and build contractor etc ie to discuss and take to the next level if they prove to be viable. Sorry if this comes across as grumpy - but I’ve just had to squeeze in an extra project, as an emergency, for a lady who’d followed some really dodgy advice from a family member who thought they could ‘be a designer’ - the building inspector disagreed - and it’s going to cost that poor lady lots of money to rectify it, and make her home safe again. I have your interests at heart Houzzers ! :-)

I’m wondering if you are imagining a Chalon style kitchen, chunky, painted and distressed? if so maybe you could source some freestanding items and convert or find a joiner to make up?