MY MIL had a staircase like that, and as Kennebunker said, she used a rope hand rail. Is that your only access to the second floor? My MIL's staircase (it was the only one)nearly was the cause of her needing to go live in a nursing home as she became unable to negotiate it when rehabbing a hip replacement. You mentioned g'babies, so it's maybe something you might want to think about before it's an issue. Kid proofing is with gates. I think you could also have fun creating a curved, laminated handrail yourself, once you get some of the other issues sorted out. BTW, I think you water heater is great, just think of all the "free heat" it will throw off! As you get into old houses you might find it very comfortable to pull up a chair and warm your tootsies on the water heater. Do you have a chimney in the attic above that fp? Is there a void where masonry could still be? It wasn't uncommon for fake mantles and hearths to exist when houses were heated with stoves alone. (And you have a stove hole above it.) Molly~

Be sure to sell or give away that beautiful old railing and not throw it on a heap. I happen to like it. But indeed, it might look better in black. The railing you have posted instead gave me some shudders. Quite a contrary style and not one I'd welcome in my home. Way too modern for a ranch home, is what comes to my mind. If you are really going to get a new railing, I like the one Judy proposed, although I wouldn't want it in white at your place. Perhaps in black and the railing that matches the wood of the stairs? Or maybe something like this?

Painting will not look right and it will not hold up. There are firms that will come in and spray (refinish) your treads and bannister because that is what I did. Then you can paint the spindles. My staircase was similar all one color from 1970s.

I'm seeking advice on what color to stain/paint my banister rails. The carpet in the photo is staying for now (may refinish stairs), but the downstairs flooring is being replaced with Coretec Spirit Oak (see photo). The walls will be painted SW Zurich White (see photo), and the trim, doors, cabinets, etc. will be painted SW Pure White. I will likely paint the spindles SW Pure White, but I'm wondering if I should stain the rails light to match the floors or dark for contrast? I thought about staining them to match the exposed beams (see photo) in two rooms of the home, but those rooms aren't within view of the stairs, so I'm not sure it matter. I welcome any and all advice.