If we're going to talk stairs, there are a few things you need to know. Here is your 37 second lesson on Basic Stair Part Terminology.
Now you know everything you need to know. It is important for you to know this, otherwise the entire time you are reading this post you will be saying "What are you talking about again?" Which is exactly what Richard says everytime I want to talk Stair Parts with him.
This is how my stairs look right now.
Newel Posts are good. But you can see that it is still 100% possible for people to fall right off of the stairs, or right over the edge of the landing at any time. As such, we can not yet say that these stairs are "DONE" in the conventional sense. I don't like to knit pick, but to really feel done I'd say we still need a handrail and balusters.
We got all our stair parts from a local place, and Lani the Builder took all the balusters to a shop somewhere to have them painted. I don't know why, but this took a couple of weeks. But they finally came back. Hooray! Here they are! In a stack! By a Dinosaur!
Maybe by the end of THIS week I won't have to hold my breath every time the kids walk up and down the stairs?
So now you know. I challenge you to take this new stair knowledge and go show it off at home shows or at Parent Teacher Conference. Everyone is sure to be impressed!