Are you leaving stair rail white? Are the existing treads (part you step on) real wood? What is your style? This stair railing is pretty dated. Have you considered painting railing and newel posts black? I would probably do an interesting runner. Easier to use stairs, and creates more interest. Runner choice depends on your style, use, pets, children etc.

Another runner look. Be careful of patterns so they don’t cause visual confusion when coming down stairs.

Hi flo, we are keeping the railing…we priced changing it and decided to keep it for now. We are also considering board and batten on the walls. We have 3 young children and no pets :) my style is French country (I love hooker brand furniture, restoration hardware, and some pottery barn) …btw the foyer will be black slate

Jessica, I understand. I would hold off on board and batten until your children are older. Stairs and walls take a beating. Might think about textured wallpaper? You could paint the risers of the stairs black. That would give you some contrast but not be very hard to do. Use “satin” finish SW Tricorn Black if you go that route. It’s a pretty home and your improvements have and are “value adders”. Good job!

You might take a look at something like these for walls. More durable with kids and if you guys are handy you could probably install. Curved walls might be tough though.