I always say to clients that the first impression of their home begins in the front hall. While I generally begin the color and design palette in a main room like a living room, kitchen or family room, the colors from those rooms are often reflected in a softer version of themselves in the entrance way.

Which brings me to the staircase. Yes, the picket and rails. You know them. They are often in an oak finish with an orangey yellow color. Sounds familiar? And lest we forget the Scarlett O'Hara staircase which divides the home in half and makes a splendid bridal moment but can look dated over time.

Over the years, one of my fast fix-ups has been to paint them. Often the same as the trim color used throughout the home. Later we started suggesting a charcoal painted finish for a more dramatic yet inexpensive look. And I love a glossy finish as opposed to a pearl lustre for both the white or a charcoal finish. Paint, as always, can save aging pickets and rails.

I think that the front entrance is becoming very important and lately, I have seen staircases so beautiful that they become the focalized space. Galvanized steel, curved drywall applications, drywall and intricately shaped iron and curved marble are absolutely breathtaking.

Here are some interesting, and inspiring, staircases…

While these indeed are stunning, I am still amazed at how the simple change to paint or a new picket instantly elevates the humble hall.

I selected two projects from our portfolio that show how powerful changing out a staircase can be. Both needed an update and were guided by the color palette that began in the kitchen. Simple and refined making the first impression stylish and inviting.

For a complete look at how powerful a change in the staircase can be, check out these transformations.