White Staircase Railing & Painted Risers — East Brainerd, TN

The before-and-after of this Chattanooga staircase shows a simple change carried out with care. The stained oak handrail and newel post now have a smooth white finish that matches the balusters, and with the carpet gone, each riser and the stepped skirt along the open side were painted white beneath the new wood-tone treads. Keeping those edges straight against the treads and the dark floor took steady, unhurried brush work.

The painting continued through the main floor. Hallways and the dining room are in a soft warm white, with a white chair rail framing the dining walls, and the living room around the brick fireplace and white mantel follows the same tone. Stairs, halls and living spaces now read as one light, continuous interior.