Thank you for the kind comments. Decisiveness and any sort of outcome is better than nothing! I am on a roll! and hope to keep rolling with some other projects. I have tons of painting to do, most of which must wait for the Spring. Palimpsest - I was having the same thoughts. I was considering adding a piece but don't want to make it any taller. I think I'll leave it alone. Arlosmom - I had a great time at the salvage yards. Second Chance is always great, but they have really improved over the years. Some of the warehouses used to be scary - I was always fearful I would be crushed in a roof collapse. It is wonderful to know about their job training programs. They seem to be teaching the young men customer service skills too as I was very pleased with the help I received there. I visited Housewerks for the first time this Fall. It was like a strange dream. After driving thru a desolate part of town, I arrived at that amazing Victorian building with the most strange/beautiful assortment of objects surrounding it. Unbelievable.

What you want is a box newel post. They come in standard sizes. I suspect you'll be able to choose once you browse the sizes that are available. If you're buying a standard item to save money, you'll probably have few wood choices, the most common being Poplar and Red Oak. The stain might need to be altered somewhat to achieve a match.

Don't shoot the messenger! Joseph Corlett may be blunt, but he is trying to rethink your situation before you spend even more money chasing an idea that will not look right. It is unfortunate that you did not get such a blunt answer before you spent time and money pursuing this scheme. It is your house and you can do whatever you can talk the GC into doing and the inspector into approving but that does not make it attractive or practical or increase your house's market value You already know there is an issue with your original plan or you would not have posted your question. Step back from the emotional side and read the answers you are getting. All the money you have spent is a sunk cost and continuing on the same path will not change that fact. Evaluate where you are and move forward with a good plan using the right material for the project

OK, you all have convinced me to eliminate the oak look of the risers. While I'm too conservative to paint them, I'm thrilled with the many options for stick on riser decals that can be readily removed, including one with the pattern I've been nuts about for ages! It's called Astra, here. BUT -- back to the newel post/handrail for the upper section of this stairway.....previous comments were that we don't have the open wall for the spindles and we have no place for a newel post. I need to understand if the change I want to make isn't feasible, when it seems to me like it should be...please helps!