Hate new stair carpet

[ilkleymoorbartat]

Total first world problems I realise. Have attached pics. Gah, I hate it! I don’t know exactly what I’m asking but aibu, and if not what should I do!

The view from the door is stunning so all is not lost.

The photos you are drawn too have more black, so for me it's either black edging or paint stairs black.

And add a piece to the first riser.

Can anone photo shop those two examples?

@Musmerian off topic but what colour is your hall? I love it!

Oh yes sorry I meant to say to everyone mentioning the bottom stair, they've not finished yet! Coming back next week.

And thank you so much again to everyone, it's giving me lots of ideas to think about how to improve it (whilst also realising it's not the most important issue in the world right now) .

I think either the staircase railing & poles need to be white or the floor of the stairs black & railing black.

Also came here to ask what colour your hall paint is though! It’s a really lovely white! @ilkleymoorbartat

@purpletrees16 it's slaked lime by little greene

I was expecting to see something beautiful (being an architect- I’m usually open minded!)

But this is surprisingly ugly. It’ll age badly too and I am SO sorry for saying that - I feel awful.

But some clever lighting leading up the stairs would soften the shade & contrast. Lighting fixes everything!

Our was dark brown carpet with creamy yellow gloss when we moved in. Painted all woodwork white apart from handrail which we used a special two part paint. Plain pale grey/beige runner and herringbone flooring downstairs. Walls are very plain but we think it's nice.

Actually @ilkleymoorbartat the more photos I see the more I like it. It has so much potential!

Just shocking at first. There’s lots you can do and mushroom / beige / neutrals are on trend so you can make the most of that!

I think it's OK and wouldn't change it.

I like it very much. It looks classy and hardwearing. Maybe plants on window sill or freestanding will make you like it more.

It's absolutely bloody gorgeous!!! I love it.

Just needs dressing, stop panicking it's really nice

I'd paint the walls- that's too much white for me and it forces your attention solely back on the runner. Have you just moved in? Everything looks bare at first till you've got all the plants and pictures up.

I understand your trauma, I got through the same thing every time I spend money on something big, I know it’s ridiculous and it’s so annoying but there you go. And I can see why your struggling with the overall look.

But I think the carpet is fine, the only problem is too many different browns / dark colours in one area. I’d stain the handrail with a really dark wood stain so it blends in, put up some pictures you love, put some plants in beautiful pots on the landing window sill, and then it will have that smart neutral look you were going for. Find some gorgeous art prints and plant pots in the teal / duck egg shades you were thinking of for the whipping and it will all look lovely.

Sorry, have just seen you've just moved in. It'll be fine once you've worked round it.

I really like it. I think paint the rest of bannisters black, add some plants and a nice window type mirror and it'll really finish it off.

I think you need to paint the handrail black as the brown wood crashes with the black.
You need big leafy solid green plants and it will look lovely.

I think that what you need is some colour to counterpoint the plain expanses - a large, trailing plant on the windowsill, a large, dark green plant (maybe a peace lily with red spathes or a Bird of Paradise?) and possibly a picture that includes green and red tones - but again, large, not tiny as it would be lost in the area.

Once you have those, they'll soften the area and you won't be spending hundreds or thousands on replacing stuff that doesn't need to be replaced.

What about changing the trim? Do people think that's not necessary? I was going to call tomorrow to ask how much it might cost.

I think it's very stylish and just right for your staircase. If you get some decently framed paintings up in your hall it will all come together.

I think I’d get quotes for the taping but do all the other fixes first – plants, art, adjust banister paint etc – and give it some time before paying out for such a big fix. Don’t make big decisions after a heartbreak!

@ilkleymoorbartat

What about changing the trim? Do people think that's not necessary? I was going to call tomorrow to ask how much it might cost.

Probably not. The brown is fine.

Black would look good if you are trying to recreate the bold look of the "puppy" staircase picture but it isn't necessary. What is necessary for that look is rethinking some of the other features. You need a bold statement for the floor more than the staircase and to highlight the spindles and balasters. The "puppy" staircase has black stairs, which makes them fade away and highlights the contrasting wood baluster (which is a focal point). You have done the opposite, you've painted your focal point (the spindles and balusters) black and highlighted the brown carpet with the contrasting white stairs. You need to highlight the beautiful original banisters.

The slate blue and olive green tape looked nice but you will need to tie that in with all the accessories/paintings/rugs etc. Brown will work with any accessories/paintings/rugs.

I would save your money.

Current just looks a bit stark, Lacks personality atm, but is a neutral background for a bit of colour - pictures, plants and a window dressing will lift the look. It will then look lovely.

@chesirecat99 how would you advise highlighting the bannister? Painting white?

I'm not sure white will help highlight them with white walls, @ilkleymoorbartat. Stained wood would work but that is a lot of work and very messy to strip off the paint.

If you don't want all that work, I would paint them white and change the colour of the walls, as I suggested in a previous post, which would help with the proportion of the walls too and highlight the original plaster/wood work.

Or paint them white but create another focal point eg a painting and a rug.