Here is an example of combo paint & dark stain on stairs with blonde main floor wood stain. I will also post an example of painted stairs with a carpet strip. Of the two, I think the stairs painted to match walls, with a carpet strip, looks better. But that's just personal preference.

Johnmari, Thank you for sharing about the many variations on white. Now I'm a little worried. We really don't have $ to go for custom treatments. If I go with the white, maybe I should order, try one, and then understand I may have to return? Yes. Absolutely. That was JM's point and what I assumed (and shouldn't have) you already knew. You need to have a plan to check the color before you commit. Or, as Annz said, there are many other resources out there at about the same price point as JCP where you can obtain samples before you buy. My Lowe's for instance has a nice supply of take home color samples for blinds and plantation shutters. You mention a mix of mission and contemporary - again, either would work. Someone made the point the wood tones do not reflect as much light into the space -- that is accurate. If you have abundant natural light, might not be such a concern. But if you're having trouble deciding between the two, that factor is something to consider. Exterior - Again, either can work. It's a matter of your deciding which choice, white or wood, is going to fit best with the design and look you're marching towards interior as well as exterior. Maybe make a spreadsheet and list the pros and cons of each color choice to help you see which one 'fits' best at least on paper.

I was about to suggest the same. These are pine. They are not worth "saving" as a wood-look product. In fact the original attempt at stain is a bad one. Pine doesn't like taking stain. It really really doesn't. As Hallett & Co. suggests, invest in some HIGH QUALITY primer (Zinsser or better) and some decent sanding materials. Make sure you purchase primer that is SPECIFICALLY designed to go over oil based finishes/polyurethane. Paint the trim whatever colour you desire (I suggest white...it is much easier to coordinate than any other colour). Just by doing this ONE thing, you will have updated your home by 40 years. I kid you not.

You've got some nice wood pieces. Did your father make most all of them? Regarding the paint color. I always feel paint color should be decided once everything is selected. I'm guessing that the Builder has a couple of paint selections that were chosen to go with the finishes that are being offered so if I were you at this point I would make notes as you are doing but wait to see what you select for the other finishes and then see if the Builder's paint colors will work for you. If none of them do, at that point you can determine if you are going to "up-grade" (he may not even offer the opportunity for you to stray from the color choices) or just paint the walls a non-descriptive color and have them painted later with your own painter. When is your meeting at the Design Center?