This is the other rail..

Hi. Congrats on the new home! I think the "other rail" is your best choice to stand the test of time.

In this house, I also would not choose the horizontal cabling. It is too busy for these stairs (and might also be too modern for your style).

For the second photo you showed, this looks traditional. (Notice the style of the Newel Post is more traditional as well. (So, unless your home features are quite traditional, I would not choose this one).

the 3rd one you show (other rail) is a great choice. It would fit in with any style and does not have intersecting lines like the first one. I feel it is the best choice for now and for resale down the line.

Not knowing what the rest of the house looks like, I agree that the third choice looks best, is most versatile, and has more staying power, i.e., will not look dated for a long time.

Third choice is the most versatile.

The third choice if your interior furniture style and tastes are trending towards more simple, and modern.

Be sure to get finish samples of the posts and rails prior to ordering the railings.

I am surprised that the option of wood spindles is not offered.

IMO wood spindles would be way too heavy looking and I agree the last simple choice is the best.Is the first pic actually yhe staircase you will have.

Select one that is in harmony with the design of the home.

The third one is nice for a more contemporary look than the second, but the posts seem a little high. What does the rest of your interior look like?

Agreed if the options I say the third railing. But wood spindles would look perfect too.
What were the other paint color options?

The terms are newel post, rail (railing), and spindles. So...you have chosen the gray newel post and railing, right? And the issue is either iron spindles with accent pieces or plain iron spindles? Go for the plain spindles.

"and spindles"

Actually the correct term is "balusters", not spindles.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.. Wood spindles are an option too but they only would paint the spindles the color of the cabinets which is the gray in the first picture.. also to add more clarity , yes I can only go with the second design if I want iron balusters but can choose to skip the diamond accents ..

Okay. So, what do the other elements of your home look like? What else have you chosen? More traditional or more contemporary or more transitional?

The other parts of the home are more transitional style ..0

So, you could go with the more traditional newel post of the square one. But, I would stay with the straight baluster.

Can you show us some of the other elements you have chosen?

I defer to your expert terminology, “millworkman.” Both are now used, generically, however. But thanks for the correction.

We chose the iron spindles with a similar ball Like design but only did the ball accent every 3rd railing. The rest are just plain. I like the detail (especially in a traditional home) but I think it’s way too busy for every spindle.

Hi. I’m trying to comment on your backsplash post. But the app keeps blacking out when I do it. So I’m posting on your other thread. Sorry 😐
Anyways. I think the best option with a builder.... and having to choose backsplash before you have the kitchen installed is to continue the countertop material as a backsplash. It’s pretty. And is a no brainer on whether or not it would match.
The other option is to sample tiles near the countertop sample.
Here are two I liked.
But you will need to/ should sample sample sample.
The third option is to tell the builder you don’t want a backsplash now. And hire someone later on. Which I get is a headache. But really does avoid headaches of mismatched backsplashes...

Hope this helps :)

Thank you! That’s helpful! Yeah I asked the builder if I can use the same material for the backsplash but the builder only provides tile backsplash options.. I can pretty much choose any tile from Daltile, Emser or Arizona tiles

It feels like a question “out of thin air”?? ...my first thought would be to pick the one you think is prettiest...not the most versatile or most likely to work...if the staircase is in a featured location i would not go for the simplest look either...usually in these situations you will have an impressive Chandelier and a need for a little wow factor