Wow! This main staircase of ours has really been difficult, to say the least. The very first time we looked at the house I was worried about the height of the banister on the main staircase. It was only 30 inches, the standard is 36 inches. I knew that this was somehow going to have to change, but I didn't want to loose the original banister. Our very talented contractor decided that he could add the inches on the bottom of the spindles and then we could just add a 6 inch "block" to the top of the banister. Now the real trouble began! No banister for at least 2 months while trying to keep a 3, 6 and 9 year old safe. I am just so thankful we were not living in the house at the time. I think my main quote for this period of time was "touch the wall". Our rule was that anytime someone was around the staircase they had to touch the wall. Right now the stairs are just awaiting a carpet runner. It is down to the wire since we are suppose to move in less than a month! 
