Can you post more pictures of the room? Do you have anything else black in the house?

Why? What is the style of the house, and the look of adjacent spaces? I don't see that this would be an improvement, especially with lots of brown tones and a traditional or transitional style in adjacent spaces.

We have been agonizing over this exact dilemma for over a year. Ideally, we would have torn it all out and put in glass, but it was just too costly so we decided to try to make what we've already got as modern as possible. Everything was stained "midwestern golden oak" color. We sanded everything down to bare wood. What you see here is only one coat of paint over the primer. I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea. The walls and trim are a light gray. The railing is a very dark gray rather than black. Painting it this way lightened up the whole room.

Here is a photo.....sectional is covered as we are sanding. There is a bit of black and darker browns in the room. Small townhouse, open floor plan, transitional decor. Photo wall is a work in progress (behind sectional) will have all black frames with vacation photos and art.

I think black would look odd given the style of the actual railing and the rest of your house. It would just stand out too much.

Thanks Christina! So, black with white spindles? Or are you suggesting not to paint at all?

Thanks acm....I love how you painted it for me! I see your point......what do you suggest?

I would not paint your staircase black. The style of the staircase is all wrong for black. I love black and have a lot of black, but, I wouldnt paint that staircase. I would leave it alone. It also matches your trim.

If you’re going to paint the, I would just paint the spindles white.

Dark brown for the hand rail? My first floors are Brazilian Cherry (so I thought black would work). The banister/ spindles are the only thing in our house that is oak. The rest of our woods are dark.

No black at all. If you don't want white a darker stain would look good, similar to your dining chairs.

Here are two other variants.

(sorry that my painting is a little messy, heh)

Ohh I like that!

Thanks acm!!!! I like both! So, an off-white instead of white?

Black painted railings can look great but it will not work with your wall color .

I'm not sure I was trying to make a case about off-white versus white -- there's only so far you can go with Photoshop. :) Matching the trim is usually good. Just showing all-white versus stained railing.

(I'd do all white, but I no longer have the photo with all those spindles selected, so I'm not doing it again!! lol)

Thanks acm!! I need to get photoshop!
Thanks George, my paint is revere pewter (Benjamin Moore).
I truly appreciate everyone’s time. I have been reading discussions on Houzz for years. First time posting and I see the value now of providing complete info and good pics at the outset!!
I have lived in this house forever and really need fresh eyes.

And now realizing that I said the bannister is the only light wood, and I somehow forgot about my kitchen cabinets!
Perhaps I need to get rid of the tall column at my bannister for something shorter.

I started to paint the spindles white. Can anyone recommend a General Finishes Gel Stain color for the handrail? And should I paint the tall post white (same as spindles)?

The tall post generally looks better the same color as the rail. Minimax stains will work for what you are doing. You might want to buy some oak and test stain them...assuming you are looking to use a colored stain.

You could always go over the top rail with a matte latex to protect it a little more.