Will I regret painting the banisters cream?

[PuraVida]

I may have made an error. The skirting boards are all cream as that went with the wall colour. I hadn't considered the two flights of banisters that also need doing. I don't ever want to have to paint them again. It's going to be a terrible job and take about a year. Should I do them white in case cream woodwork just turns out to look a bit nicotine stained snd I end up hating it in a year or two?

[ChunkyHare]

If it is the physical painting of the banisters that will take a year I would get someone in to quote you for doing it.

I had my 1 flight of 13 stairs done for £85. That was banister, spindles and strings (the triangle bits to the sides of the treads) plus the wooden bit that you can see in the hall. I am in Yorkshire.

I have painted spindles in the past and actually painted my friends for her but I hate doing it. Now I will always get someone in.

Plus if you know it will cost X then if you don't like the cream you can always have it repainted.

[PuraVida]

Can't afford to get someone in unfortunately

It's taken me a fortnight to paint the hall, squeezing in an hour here and there after work once the kids are in bed. I bloody hate painting :(

[lalalonglegs]

Yes, painting banisters and spindles is unbelievably tedious so do it once, do it right. I have to say, I'm not a fan of cream woodwork but if you like it on your skirting boards then maybe you should stick with it.

[DesertIslandPenguin]

I'd varnish the handrail. Our painted handrail looks so horribly grubby and the paint is rubbing away after years of use. I'll be varnishing it when we do the house up to sell. Plus the contrast looks nice!