Help with this banister

4 years ago

Hi everybody - we close on our new home soon and are moving in June. We temporarily considered restaining the floors, but after getting quotes we decided to keep the floors as is (they are in excellent condition, so it was for pure aesthetic reasons) and invest that money in other areas. I can deal with the tone of wood on the floors, but in the entryway to the house, it overwhelms - floor, stairs, banister. I am thinking a banister update can help but I am not sure what to do. Any suggestions? The hallyway will be painted in either agreeable gray or Behr roman plaster (or perhaps SW grecian ivory), depending on what looks best when we get in the house. There is white trim that you can't see here. TIA for your expertise!

Featured Answer

stine

4 years ago

Are your base boards white? You could paint the stair risers and spindles white to break up the sea of wood tones. Or a stair runner in a modern print.

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Comments (24)

PRO
SawHorse Design + Build
4 years ago
Since it is stain grade already- I would leave it alone. It you are going for a more modern look, then here is an ideabook that I created for my clients- https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/129082810/list/modern-stairs
grapefruit1_ar
4 years ago
Your floors are beautiful and classic. They work with everything and every paint color, but secretly I hope you choose something other than gray.
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Hi Mandy - it would be great if you could upload an image or two, but for starters here are a few images where the combination is contemporary (stair carpet runner, walls, spindles and handrail), but you don't lose the sense that it is a Victorian space. In the first instance, we also reinstated the dado rail which had been removed to help it feel more Victorian, and fitted the small chandelier. We also designed and fitted this stained glass if that has any bearing on what you can do. We took the theme from the original stained glass transom above the front door and contemporised it for these lobby doors. Hope this helps for now. Nick
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thanks for replying. something like the first photo, or even dark taupe (second photo) would work with our colour scheme. However, would I achieve the same kind of effect with paint or would it just ruin the banister? what do you recommend? Thanks
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Looks great :-) really like that wallpaper, as I did the first time you posted it as an option for your bathroom :-) Great little space, re the ceiling, I think it would look great painted the same colours as the walls if you wanted to change it! Looks good as it too :-)
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Haha Mandy, photobombing animals! 😄 And yes bannister/spindles looking good 👌 I painted our bannister and jewel post Off Black and (left) the spindles white. I’ll see if I can find photos. I may consider doing it all In Off Black. If I can be bothered. 😂
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Susan S
Original Author
4 years ago
I am leaning towards the roman plaster or grecian ivory. I like gray but love it with darker floors. With these floors, I don't think I am as enamored. That said, I am more of a cool tone person than warm tone. So I am hoping something can be done to hell neutralize the hallway a bit, hence my thought that the banister is a good place to start.
Susan S
Original Author
4 years ago
p.s. baseboards are white
grewa002
4 years ago
I agree, paint the spindles white
felizlady
4 years ago
I assume the big storage piece in the entry will go with the movers, leaving that wall empty. Once you have done your painting, get a nice rug for between the door and the stairs. Consider a rug runner for the stairs if you are a traditional person or you like “quiet” stars. The rug will bring needed color into the entry and reduce the amount of floor showing. Add art on the walls, and a nice console where the modern storage piece stood. You are fortunate the floors seem to be in good condition.
Linda Thomas
4 years ago
Depending on the grey, the walls could clash with the woodwork.
RedRyder
4 years ago
I like the idea that stine suggested - white risers, white bannister and think about a black railing. I also think that greys will clash with your floors.
houssaon
4 years ago
I agree with the suggestions for white spindles and risers with a black banister. I like a low pile runner for the staircase. It helps to prevent slipping and add color.
Andrea Morrell USDA Z5 / CAD 5B
4 years ago
Agree with white risers and spindles - it will really pop! If it were me, I would leave the railing colour since it already works with the treads & floor (I'm not a huge fan of contrasting railing/tread). If you do want to make a change to the railing, look at putting a post to replace the current "birdcage". If you have a pro come in to do the risers/spindles, you may need to make this change anyway (and possibly replace all the spindles if not correct height!) to meet your area's current codes. Yes, speaking from experience... ;-)
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
We had the same issue in our 1990s vacation home. We painted the banister black and the newell posts, balusters, and stair risers white to offset the wood. I would have liked to re stain the floors but didn’t want the expense or the inconvenience. We’re also installing a sea grass lookalike runner with a black border to replace the one that’s been there for about 20 years!
skunst2017
4 years ago
Beautiful floors , depending on your style ...modern or traditional ...the only thing I would change are the spindles ...if you like a modern look . You need to change the spindles ...otherwise just paint as suggested above ....enjoy your beautiful new house ...and remember to live in a new place for a few months to see what you like to change ...
karihailey
4 years ago
I personally like the wood color and stairs, it’s a warmer version of the farmhouse style that is everywhere now. I would add a colorful runner up the stairs to break up all the wood, but if you’re looking for a more dramatic change the bloggers Chris Loves Julia just changed out their railing and it looks great.
Amy Lynn
4 years ago
Young House Love had a similar look on their staircase. They redid some things to update the look and it turned out so well. They used a very dark gel stain on the banister instead of black. You might get an idea or two from them.

https://www.younghouselove.com/stairs-and-stripes/
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago
I don't like either color with your floors. Too dark.

With the colors shown below, you will obviously be able to add a bright white for trim and stair risers
Sue Pedersen
4 years ago
Congratulations on your new home. These spindles were white and I painted them a brownish black.
Susan S
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks for all of the advice, everybody. i am now rethinking paint colors (leaning towards benjamin moore pale oak on the walls and behr swiss coffee as trim, and using swiss coffee on the spindles and risers. The jury is still put on if I stain the top banister a darker color After spending a couple of days on design blogs I want light and bright in this home!

I can't wait to go in and put of some posterboard swatches and see how it looks.
typeandrun
4 years ago
I would suggest BM white dove for all trims. It is a great neutral, not too white, not too creamy.

and agree paint the spindles and risers
PRO
Flo Mangan
4 years ago
Adding black details will be a great way to balance out your woods. I would paint risers SW Extra White, railing and inside of front door SW Tricorn Black in satin finish and walls in an offwhite possibly Alabaster. You will need to drop sample boards to assess color in your light. I would add fun runner to stairs in supporting colors.
PRO
Flo Mangan
4 years ago
Do not “drop”
PRO
Jodie White Designs
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Was going to suggest as OP recommending to paint railing black and white walls. However, looking at the beautiful staircase I thought Peppercorn by SW would be beautiful with the wood. Would like to see the foyer from different perspectives to see the entire space. Artwork pops on this wall color and really is a neutral and a gray that is elegant and inviting with woods. Order a sample large enough to get an idea or paint different walls to see the color at different times of daylight and night to view color. Not sure the direction your home will be decorated but this would be stunning if the color worked. Or even just the door or accent wall painted in this color would be elegant The door painted black or white would also work. Congrats on the new home. Keep us posted on your updates.
PRO
Flo Mangan
4 years ago
Much depends on your family situation and what your design style will be in this home. Traditional styling leans toward certain looks and contemporary leans to others, so these elements need to be taken into consideration. Here are some "looks" to consider. You can also set up an "ideabook" here on Houzz and go through various "searches" to save photos that appeal to you to help you hone in on the right approach for your family.
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RedRyder
4 years ago
Flo’s second photo is the image I had in my head, as is Diana’s. The dark banister will contrast the floors well, as would a runner. But that will be after you do the walls, bannister, risers, whatever painting. But start looking for a fun runner!