Hi everyone, thank you all so much for your comments- each one has been really helpful & thank you to those who have complimented the work. I still fluctuate with whether I love it or not, but as jdublya says, i think its just a mid reno freak out! My original colour choice was a dark brown, but unfortunately following other suggestions, it ended up being black. Anywho I will continue to push through with all the other plans- light grey walls, white door frames and doors, and black handles. Then have a think about wall art - frames etc. Once all of that is done i will post an update and let you know if we decide to change anything with the stairs. Also thought I'd mention that the colour of the flooring on the first level has come out a lot more red than it actually appears in real life. I am quite excited to finish the project but of course with limited funds, 3 kids, 2 dogs and a kitten it takes a lot of time! Sit tight, will update as and when :) Thanks again all, your encouragement is encouraging ;-)

I had a very similar staircase in a commercial building -- if anything it was worse -- there was a 20 metre long hallway leading to it , all with light grey walls and white ceilings , polished wooden steps and handrail . The hallway was concrete floor , painted a mid grey . I own the building , and wanted to lease it out , and didn't have much money at the time ( I still don't haha ) . I did black onyx tiles on the hallway floor ( I realise you aren't doing the floor ) ; 40mm x 8mm varnished pine 'rail' along the wall 1200mm from floor height , and wallpapered from the skirting up to this rail in a burgundy and gold striped wallpaper ( the gold was in 2 stripes of different widths , so I guess you'd say burgundy wallpaper with gold stripes ) . The hallway already had LED downlights , I added a 800mm diameter gold and crystal waterfall chandalier up the stairs , and to finish , I added several prints in gold frames ( I purposely used different sizes ) along the walls ( screwed on as it is acommercial building ) . I thought it gave the place a lift , cost around $3k and a week of my time , the building was leased to pretty much the first business that viewed it , they are still there 8 years later , and they even got a sign made that is halfway up the stairs , with all their details and logo , in gold lettering on black background , with a fancy gold frame around it ! Got a bot off track sorry -- but yeah , I'd do a 'break rail' at least on the wall without the handrail , and wallpaper down to the steps . I guess you could paint , but I wouldn't .

If new fitting is lighter than current would not that be ok? Completely different alternative but poss not your look ... one of those floor lamps that curves right up and hovers above. Could sit in the corner. Just thinking outside the box. Still think a really light weight pendant may do the trick. Good luck.

Hi Reham Arnaout Generally the darker tile is better on the floor for the reasons mentioned above (not show the dirt etc.) and because it has more visual weight to 'ground' the room. Think about the natural light the space receives- too much dark tile on the walls will make the space dark and gloomy. Some light wall surfaces will help brighten the space. Best wishes