Thank you Beverly - yes, the walls do have a tinge of yellow, especially when the lights are on. You can see the difference in the pics I posted. Changing the wall color isn't an option right now as we just installed a new a/c ($$$) and painted the exterior. So I'm just looking for ideas for the wall art to fill up those blank walls!

I would contact a stair company and see what can be done withing your budget . Lighting is IMO more important to start with so a good electrician can do wonders for more lighting. I would also suggest LEDs in 4000K for all of the lighting you do,Before opening that wall up for a railing think about the space above and how it is used and by whom. If this is walkway from bedrooms to bathroom you might no want it opendepending on who lives in the home. I know how badly people want to do something to make a home theirs but you need to stop and live in the space for a while before doing anything major and if this stairway is a big deal for you then forget wall paint color for now. The pot lights in the kitchen are an easy start to improving lighting so change all those bulbs to LED 4000K you will instantly see a big difference in the amount of light there.Then tackle the flooring and have a plan for that since carpet is IMO not a good choice. A new house is always fun to tackle but you need a very good plan before doing anything.

The terra cotta wall helps to make the oak even more yellow/golden than it is. I understand wanting to have an accent color, but another wall may be a better option. I would paint out the whole space a White, possibly SW Alabaster. I would de clutter and minimize the furniture pieces. chose one trim color, to simplify, I would choose the dark of the trim. Risers white, treads dark. railing all dark. including the bandboard. Chose to bring back in only the necessary pieces. find enclosed storage for a sleek look. I see the aqua and terra cota working, just make them the feature, not lost in the other collectibles. Is that a shelving unit along the rail? at the very least, put a backer on it. (the railing area should show clean against a blank wall)

Thank both of you! I had not even thought about painting the door! Nor had I thought about painting the banisters a dark gray! My kitchen tile is dark blue, white and gray combo but the LVP flooring in the dining room separates the area. A dark gray or soft black might tie in nicely! I am going to remove the carpet on the stairs. I’m going to paint the treads the dark color and the risers white. I thought about putting an additive in the paint for the stairs to make them slip resistant. Have y’all done that; do you put the additive in the paint or the poly?