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bepo2003 Also, do you think we need a rug in the hall?

agarcia3201 I'm unsure about which one is your before and which one is your after.

bepo2003 The one with the door closed is the after. We haven't decorated yet.

houssaon Walls and floor look great.

I always like to see a runner on the stairs for safety sake and a rug (or rugs) in the hallway will grab dirt and save the floors. A runner like this would look good on your steps: Cole Street. If these rugs are your style, I think they will warm up the space and provide a nice contrast to the color of the walls: Gast Architects: Projects. This color combination is more subtle: Lake Minnetonka Residence, but the black in the rug will echo the black banister.

Yes to painting the banister black or really dark brown, which will look like this painted dark: New Old Farmhouse: Stairwell and Front Entry.

Finish the area with photography or paintings, a console, lamp and maybe a stool or chair, if you have the room.

olldbobbi This is a great look for your stairs. On my monitor the beige on your walls matches the beige in the runner. Notice how only the last post is painted black. [houzz=
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pivoines Yes , I vote for the black top Bannister , a rug in the hallway and matching carpet in the entrance would warm up the area and also a picture gallery on the walls. I am not a fan of carpet runner on the stairs because you then have to vacuum the stairs which is one of my pet peeves. Wood stairs look rich on their own and a damp cloth once a week keeps them beautiful. Your choice of color is excellent it is a neutral and almost any choice in carpet would work with it , have fun . I love it.

bepo2003 Thanks for all of the great suggestions!

Kitchen Art of New England LLC I would do wainscot panels up the stair case and hall wall area. Then I would paint the steps black gloss.

M Morgan We just painted our risers, stair rails and banister. Risers and stair rails are white and the banister is Farrow and Ball "Railings" - a fabulous dark gray/blue.

pivoines can't wait to see a pic.

princefam I would love to see a picture! Love before and afters... :)

missangel99 Love the wall color is that by Benjamin Moore? Can you tell me the stain you used on the wood? Very pretty.

bepo2003 The paint is Benjamin moore's bleaker beige. We dud a lot of swatches. We were originally doing grant beige, but it was overwhelming. I will post after pics!

dcer I would suggest a chocolate brown, instead. It would be less harsh, and look nice with your bright and airy entryway.

missangel99 What was the floor stain?

bepo2003 I'm sorry, I don't know the stain. The last owners did the floors.

bepo2003 I'm sorry, I don't know the stain. The last owners did the floors.

bepo2003 Here's the banister painted black.

bepo2003 Excuse the mess!

bepo2003 Excuse the mess!

Monique Jacqueline Design My vote is black banister handrail with a rug in the hallway. I do not think that you need a runner on the staircase. Your stained treads are beautiful!
Cheers!
m.

bepo2003 Here's a before and after

pivoines great job

princefam Love it!