Sorry forgot to attach photo,here it is:)

I like @kelly's idea of picking a lovely fresh color of paint for the door. You can then bring it down onto the stair risers. Either a solid color to match the front door, or go wild and add some decorative elements to the risers with stencils. Or think of staining the door a great color and coordinate the stair railings and risers. I have an idea book put together for just such project that might spark some ideas for you. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16700983/thumbs/Kathryn-Delany-s-Decorative-Stair-Risers

How about something like the below up and down wall lights in a black/dark charcoal. Up and down beams can be adjusted and when lit at night, they will show off beautifully the linear cladding.

We are renovating and extending our bedroom. We have made this faux wall headboard out of our old bedroom wall. We are now looking for 2 individual lights to go into the headboard. Any suggestions.