We've been in the stair runner business for about 22 years. We've found that newel posts, particularly in a very old home may be so wide in relation to the staircase that they complicate the placement of the stair runner. That is, centering it - in a case like that, we often just hug the post with the runner allowing it to be centered on the remaining stairs. In some cases we have cut the runner material around the post - had we not the runner would be completely off-center on the remaining stairs. StairRunnerStore

This is exactly what I’m worried about. What did you end up doing?

The way your front door jumps guests right into the stairs, I think iron would be a bit prison like. I would leave the spindles as they are and see what a difference the railing and treads will make. If it isn't exciting enough for you, perhaps new art there would add interest you're looking for. Looks like those two dinky little ceiling lights in the entry could use an upgrade too.

Different runners are ok, but think about a color scheme for the whole house or at least for the public areas.