I vote for option 3 first, option 2 second.

I think I'd choose option 3 as well.

And include the little bit of wall that faces the front door at the 6th step, and the bit that is around the corner from the wall we can see on the left, in the white, since if the entry was an enclosed box, those would be part of the four walls.

A family member suggested getting a lighter shade of the green for that wall. I kind of like that idea instead of white.

I think the white is a little jarring, I like the idea of a lighter green.

I'd paint the entire stair wall (only) a different, lighter color.

I'd treat the door recess wall and stairwell wall the same (peace with dh and light in the stairwell). I agree a bright white would be jarring. A creamier one could be pretty.

P.S. You couldn't paint just the area below the trim piece that's running at ceiling height into the stairwell?

This post was edited by snookums2 on Sat, Mar 23, 13 at 22:09

Hold your ground and continue green.

Yes, try the green first. If you don't like it, go with the lighter green (but not too light). Is there going to be a railing on the open side of the stairs? If so, will it be stained or white? If it's white, you don't want the stair wall to be while, too, or the railing will disappear.

option #2, maybe with BM White Dove, Swiss Coffee, or Minced Onion

snookums2 - Yes my plan is to paint the green to the trim, then above would be off white. We just put that trim up yesterday, that's why it is unpainted. I planned to paint it the ceiling color.

I am about out of the green paint, so I have to buy more paint one way or another.

I am definitely going with a lighter green. I'll start with the one wall and see how it looks, I can also continue around the door later...

Not sure about adding another railing. We don't want to, but I suspect a home inspector will flag it.

Best to break paint colors at inside corners is best....so either at the stairwell wall or the door wall corner.

If you're not going to run the green the height of the well (very dark), then I'd continue with that rather than chopping it up. On the other hand, possibly offsetting the entrance would look good? It's hard to tell if it would work in your space from this vantage point or if it would just look odd for some reason.

I would use the same color green, but ask them to mix it with 25 - 50% of the pigment. That way it will be lighter, but blend really well. I would apply that to option 3.

Here's how my one of my favorite bloggers did it. She used Rockport Gray in the living room and Edgecomb Gray going up the stairs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stairwell