So, lets look at some options. You have a rather traditional looking staircase and surrounding decor. If you paint the railings black, it's going to disappear into the wrought iron. Notice all the white surrounding it. even the risers. Nothing else is black. would you be willing to paint the trim work upstairs black? or how about the doors? What if you took off the carpet and did the risers in black, stained the treads and updated to a more contemporary railing? more all black, but white risers and darker treads. Notice the newer light fixture in the foyer you could always darken your stain color and get a more modern, square style spindles in white this one looks good. the black/white contrast w/the herringbone stair runner, squared off newel posts. who says you have to do black?! Live a little.

Patricia, I should have mentioned that! I just don’t like the color they are now, it looks very dated to me. Very 90s. It’s improved slightly since I’ve sanded most of it, it used to look way more orange and shiny!

Wood is very much part of the MCM style. Leave it. Black ones with such thick bars will make them look heavier.. Maybe there's some way to rehab the structure and adapt them like this with cable and wood. Two small things, if you change the mirror to a more MCM streammlined style and the little table, that might echo the feeling you want and give you a lighter feeling.

Also, should I paint this bottom part or leave as is?