Ok, so after reading all this great advice, here is what I am going to do: I am going to start with stipping just the handrail and the end piece (from the round ball at the top to the floor - what is this called?) I think I will keep the balusters and skirt piece on the side painted white. I will loosen up old paint, sand smooth as possible, repaint in our trim color for the house. Now, how can you tell when something was "meant" to be painted or "meant" to be stained? I did notice after doing some scraping that the last layer appears to be stain. So, does that mean that this wood must be stain quality? Any tips on how to keep the paint stripper away from the balusters while I am working on the just the handrail and end post? Would painters tape work?

Ok - that staircase is beautiful!!! It could be absolutely stunning!!! I know this will be work, but I would strip the staircase and the face board along the staircase - you can do the opposite board later or just replace it with a salvaged piece later. It really will be beautiful - a show piece. Looks like you have maple under the paint so the paint won't be in the grooves. If you set a reasonable goal - like one spindle each weekend, it won't be so daunting and you'll be able to see how fantabulous it will look. Get a good, enviro-friendly stripper like the Peel-Away and let it do it job, then peel & re-apply. The key is to keep the stipper wet so it can work through all the layers - so keep it covered and sealed after you apply each coat. Once the big gunk is off you can use 3M stripper pads and steel wool to scrub off the residue. Use a flexible putty knife or razor blade to scrape off the early gunk. Plastic scrapers work well for the curves - you can even buy curved scrapers. Once you get the hang of it, it will go faster... If you want more specific tips, email me - I'd be glad to share : ) Good luck!

in the main room you have partial white windows. I'd paint them all white so that it matches. even the door casing. you can leave the wood doors. as for the baseboards, up to you. your wood ones don't look too bad. It's just a whole lot of wood, especially if you're bringing in arts/crafts type of oak furniture. the floor is oak but the baseboards and trim look like something else. I'd prob do that living room/kitchen trim/baseboards in Alabaster. wait for the other rooms until you get everything in and see how it looks you have to admit, it looks much fresher.

Tex max Im not sure what I want to do in the piano room yet…I wish the floors were all the same throughout the house- that will have to be a project for later- We May remodel the kitchen next year and that is when we would replace the floors throughout the 1st floor. Columns- either they should go away or be wrapped differently. For now we are leaving them. We have so many other projects currently in the works! Upstairs bath, downstairs powder bath, pool going in…