Last week I took some time to slow down and this week I'm hitting the ground running, or rather the stairs. When I shared an update on the grand staircase and entryway, I mentioned that I might want to paint the balusters black and we even did a fun mock-up. Well, the entryway got painted, along with the balusters, and I decided on white. At least these balusters, and at least for now...
Here's what the entry used to look like.
Before
Today
Some of you are probably surprised I was even debating on white because of my deep love for black, and yet here I am. It's everything I pictured the entryway to be. Just an effortless white on white with the walls, the stringers, and the balusters.
Before
Today
I realized that once I swap out the light fixture for something black and add a runner down the stairs--it will really ground everything, but still allow the railings to remain a quiet supporter in the design.
The white is giving me the look that I wanted with the staircase (I was reminded that I even said I wanted white in our original plans here--something I always need to remember to reference as things start to come together). However, I didn't make the same choice in the rest of the house.
Bonus Room Before
Bonus Room Today
Okay, this is quite a bit more zoomed in than the before because of all the construction that's happening here. But the black painted balusters needed to happen here. I think they look so sleek and elegant. Because these railings don't have the grandeur the front staircase does, I think the black helps add a little something.
Also, sneak peak of the planking being installed. You can read this post here for an update on the bonus room, and also how to DIY your own planking.
Home Office Before
Home Office Today
I love the way the black and wood (the railing and end post are both stained weathered oak and the balusters are painted tricorn black) work together. I debated staining the support post in the middle and on the corners, but I really loved the look of just one wood baluster at the end.
Attic Staircase Recently
Attic Staircase Today
Ignore the shoe-moulding at the base of the staircase. That will get removed and replaced with a wood-toned shoe moulding to match. This space might illustrate my dilemma with the entryway balusters being white, because you can actually see them here! My biggest concern in keeping them white is that they'll feel disjointed from the rest of the house. It makes me wonder if I should just paint them black. Or is this something I can overlook and just get used to? I think time will tell.
I really love the black and I really love the white. I'm going to keep the entryway white for now, while we add finishing touches over the next little bit and then reassess. It's the grand staircase, so I think it's okay for it to be different--but I can't tell if it's weird or not. Haha!
Black is Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams.
White is White Flour by Sherwin Willams.
Wood is Weathered Oak
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Such a gorgeous transformation!! Absolutely beautiful work. Would you be able to share a link to the balusters that you purchased?
Thank you for having black spindles with wood stain railing ideas. I’ve been trying to figure out…how to change my spindle black. And how would it look with the wood stain railing. It will be costly to change each spindle into iron and labor to replace them.
What is it about dark colors and smaller spaces that is so yummy.
I love how you show is all your process of decision making. I don’t wish you headaches abs frustration second guessing but I do find it very honest and sweet that you don’t know precisely what you want. It’s very relatable abs that’s why I’m here. Thank you and at the end I’m always in awe of your final product.
weird can be wonderful! I love both so good luck on making your decision, glad it's you and not me because I would be vacillating until I die.
The Grand Staircase says it all. It is grand and white suits a home like this. Imagine the girls coming down in their prom dresses. The black in the more informal areas works with your design esthetic. Trail Blazers away Julia!
The new entry is just gorgeous, and I'm voting for white balusters throughout. I like the black, too, but I do like the white better. I like that the white balusters are in synch with the cool, serene vibe of the white walls, light floor and stair treads. I think the black disrupts that vibe (in a good way, though!). Can you tell me the wall color in the entry? I love following your home renovation!
This all looks beautiful! You're doing a wonderful job. I love following your home design journey!
Hmmmmm - I think the front staircase (saying "grand" staircase seems a bit silly to me) looks fine. I do think that the original open stringer served an interesting purpose in that the peek at the wood stair treads broke up the sea of white that is now there. Perhaps that is what the original designer was going for. Either way, it is a lovely entrance view.
Entry way looks amazing.
Its just all a greatt change
The attic looks good
I was thinking the railing going dwn the attic would look good painted black
Enjoy ur make over.
Please stop using "really" when you are writing.
Thanks, Rob.
REALLY, Rob...?? Lol...
Why?
Really, Rob?
I love the black spindles - they really enhance the oak flooring. The new stringer does calm down the hallway - but the spindles are much shorter as a result. Great idea to live with the white spindles for a bit - they are set in the white stringer, rather than oak, so they wouldn’t look the same as your other staircases. Vive la difference - until you make a ‘final’ decision.
Your paint choice is similar to mine except that i was thinking of painting all the spindles black on both staircases and painting all the trim and the banisters white. Or the opposite and banisters tricorn black and spindles pure white. Can't decide! House color will be crushed ice.
Really love the white as it is, as you said, the grand staircase. Beautiful job and absolutely should be fine with the other balusters being black. It’s a whole different animal. 🤩
I love the grand staircase white! Everything is beautiful.
My 2 cents (and only that) - leave the bonus room and home office staircases black and return the attic staircase to white! Everything is looking lovely!
All your choices have been stunning! I admit I thought you were gilding the lily changing the grand staircase...but oh my...what a wonderful difference! I'm willing to bet you end up with black spindles on the grand staircase. You could use black wrapping paper to cover a half dozen spindles toward the middle of the staircase to sort of road test the black.
I'm wondering why my comments never show up. I comment fairly often and then when i look back they are not there. Trust me they are always positive :))
Hi Vicki, I just clicked on your IP address and see several of your comments!! All there!! Sometimes it takes a bit, but appreciate you always leaving comments. :)
It definitely doesn't look weird! I love it! I think BECAUSE its the grand staircase it CAN be a little different. When its all accessorized with a new light fixture, runner and entry styling, it will still look cohesive to the rest of the house. I think the white balusters add to the warm and inviting nature of the entry. Its truly stunning and can now serve as an inspiration image for others :)
Hi Julia! First... I love the white balusters on the main stair. To be honest, I thought it'd be impossible to achieve your original goal for the entryway with those stairs, but all the changes, with the white, have really quieted them and also elevated them in the best possible way. For what it's worth, I'm with the others who say paint the attic balusters white too if you need them to match, vs. the other way around. I think the white is especially key where the balusters arch along the top landing.
Other than that, I'm wondering if you could share whether all the railing pieces (including the hand rails) are white oak, or whether some of the parts are red oak. I'm curious whether the weathered oak stain is pulling them together despite being different woods. If so, it's very encouraging to see that it's not that noticeable!
Thank you for all the time you take to answer these sorts of questions! :)
All of the wood is white oak. And thank you!!
Thank you!
What’s the weathered oak stain brand? It’s really nice.
Minwax!
I don't think I would even think about it if I were coming into your home! Whatever makes you happy
I think this is one of those instances where you couldn’t go wrong either way. They all look lovely.
Wow, it’s absolutely beautiful! All of it
I love the white in the entry with the black everywhere else. The entry is the queen of the house, with the herringbone floors and the white balusters. Everywhere else has the same flooring material and baluster shape, complimenting the queen while letting her be distinct and special. Love it!!
This was so well said! Agree completely. It's all so stunning!
definitely keep the grand staircase white!!
Julia, this is stunning! So classic and sophisticated and chic!
I must say, I love the Tricorn black. I think once you have incorporated all of the other design elements in the entry AND once you've seen how the staircase plays with the dark green island on one side and the mural wall on the other, you'll have a much better idea whether the white or black conveys the overall effect you're looking for. The grand staircase will be stunning either way. Having said that, for some reason the white balusters look "unfinished" to me. It took me a minute to put my finger on it. The black balusters have such a gorgeous shine to the finish. It may be just the lighting or it may be intentional, but the white ones appear a bit matte or flat. BTW, did you keep the Juliet balcony balusters white as well?
The Juliet balcony will be black. And I agree, sometimes you just have to live with something and allow things to evolve. Totally open to changing anytime!
I love love the grand staircase balusters are white. I would keep them white and if the continuity with the attic stairs bothers you, paint the attic stairs white as well. The continuity would not be an issue for me so if you like them black just leave them black, but for sure leave the grand staircase all white. Great job!! It’s all gorgeous.
Hey you've nailed it .. again.
Looks beautiful! How about the front door being painted black ;) be the perfect touch...
Is the weathered oak a sherwin Williams stain? It’s perfect! And I love the different baluster colors. Perfect for their own spaces.
It is Minwax!
I love how you kept the balusters white allowing for a standout black light fixture! I’m so excited to see everything tied together with a vintage runner 😍.
Black & white go together like peas & carrots! I say leave it as is. Everything looks great.
Its your space, you have to do what makes you feel good every time you look at it. Personally too much white for me in the foyer. I have to have some color somewhere, so for me they would be black. That stunning stair case seems to get lost with all the white. BUT that is me.
Love this contrast so much! Especially that last picture.
White entry stairs look peaceful and elegant. Black might be too busy and distracting from graceful staircase. I’m team white.
I love them both!! But love the entryway white, maybe if the attic stairs were white it would jive better. Then you could leave the bonus room and office stairs black!
The white in the entry is AMAZING! I agree with this comment about the attic stairs going white too. This is such a fun update. Thanks for sharing!
All of the other spindles are black. So I don't think it would make sense for the attic stairs to be white. The entry ones are like the grand ones so I think that's the only one that makes sense.
I love the white on the grand staircase, so elegant, AND the black on the bonus room stairs. One traditional and one transitional. I'm thinking once you get the supporting pieces in the entryway the white will work. As always the choice is yours and you always make excellent choices for what works for you and your family.
I absolutely LOVE the white grand staircase. So beautiful. And like one other reader said, you can mix white and black just like you can mix different metals. Black will come back in the lighting so that's a connecting piece.
I agree wholeheartedly. White rails in the entryway with however you decorate will be gorgeous!!
I love the black! It really adds a punch of excitement to the railings!
Absolutely stunning! Can you please give me the details on the baluster you used? What diameter?
the balusters go from 1.5" to .5" and the newel post is 8"
This looks 100% better. Love wood colour. Glad I read about shoe moulding as my eyes kept going to that white area in picture. Didn’t think you would leave it like that lol.
Do you have a source for the newel post and your balusters? We are building and I can’t find ones I love. Thanks!
Our contractor has a local company that manufactures them!
Oak Point makes a similar one- I priced it for my new home a while back but couldn’t swing it financially. Love that look so much though!
I think you’re overthinking it. The white was the right choice for the grand staircase, especially with the other things you mentioned (light, runner). If it really bothers you that they’re different, why not paint the attic balusters white?
It is stunning!! May I ask what line the Weathered Oak flooring is please? I love it! Thanks!
Minwax!
Not weird at all. Absolutely love the white for the grand staircase and personally think that’s the way to go. Also absolutely love the black on the other staircases and think it adds interest throughout the home. I’ve so loved following along. Thanks for sharing with us!
I love everything you do! The white on the main staircase is so elegant. The black for the secondary staircases is perfect for those areas.
I used to get your love letter, which I look forward to every Thursday night and suddenly it stopped coming:(. I have re-signed up twice to no avail. Any suggestions ?
Oh no!! Let me see if I can green light your email.
The same thing happened to me :( I just signed up with another email and I guess we will see this week?
I just checked my junk mail and there it was! It’s weird because I get the blog posts in my email. I added you to my contact list so I hope that works:)
Mine started showing up in my junk mail, maybe check there?
I love the simplicity of your designs of all your stairs! Black or white is equally lovely in your home. The vibe is there independent of the color.
But I don't understand the ornate "chess runner" post at the bottom stair in the entry? All the other posts are simple and straight forward and then that one. It feels a bit ornate for your preferred style?
Not weird can’t wait to see change of light. Decorating banisters at Xmas?
I think they look gorgeous!!!
I love both the white grand stair and the black ones. If is really anoying to you I will prefer to put a door that separates the hall to the bonus room from the grand stair landing.
Perfect! I am so glad that you left the entry staircase white. I also love the black on the other parts of the house. For a girl that teach us how to mix metals why not mix black and white? I think once you get all your decoration magic done it will all be seamless.
Agreed. What I love about Julia is she mixes styles, textures, metals and colors. It’s nice to see that you don’t have to be tied to one look and cohesion does not mean same.