If there is a storage cupboard underneath the stairs, then I think its best to let go of the open risers. At the end of the day when it comes to stairs, I think you need to make simple decisions, don't complicate it. Sometimes spaces fuss over stairs and they can look great, but they are very impractical, expensive and dangerous. I think if you live in a house with no kids and no elderly, then you can lash out and go for something with more design risk. I think the timber stair profile shown in your picture looks great, and would work well with your vertical timber beam balustrade. However timber stairs can be noisy and quite slippery. If you are using carpet upstairs then you could consider running carpet all the way down the stairs. Don't do the half half thing. In order to finish the edge of the stairs neatly, I would edge the stairs with the plaster finish continuing from the cupboard wall, all the way up to the edge of the stairs and making an edge profile for the carpet to be neatly tucked into. By doing this you could still get the stepping silhouette which would look very cool. Then the beams could run off the plaster surface and not the edge of the carpet. Ultimately carpet may be annoying to have to vacuum, but it is a lot quieter, considerably cheaper and safer than timber stairs. Hope that helps. Good luck with it.

after studying the whole house plans i can't see a better option for the extra bedroom than my original suggestion...sacrificing some wiw and rearranging the ens (with bigger shower) creates a bedroom and extra storage could be regained with generous bedside drawers for master and guest room, ceiling height biw and out of season storage in a blanket box at the end of the master bed.. a small sofa bed works better in the study than the built in bed and makes the space more usable as a parent retreat with desk, wall cabinets and shelving and hinged doors should all have towel rails and clothes racks ..a few coat hangers hung on the back of a door make a good overnight "wardrobe"...the downstairs floor plan looks excellent...only other suggestion is to have an open railing at the top of the stairs to brighten the small landing

Thanks oklouise. Agree..downstairs will eventually be for guests.. 2 bedrooms and extra living flowing out to garden . We intend to add 2 story extension..garage underneath, master suite, maybe another bedroom and bathroom/powder room , thinking entry and stairs could be incorporated there also.main views are from east elevation and nice garden views else where. Plenty of room ant the back of the block for extension and garden east elevation is front of the house and west elevation is at the back of the house..but where guests and family arrive. I. The very immediate future we want a great upstairs living/dining and kitchen..downstairs a master bedroom, maybe 2 guest rooms and bathrooms.

I think it would look fine, you need the lighter colour if your room is dark. You can always add a rug as well.