Have a basement? Here are some choices
1) All drywall in that area with a door or a half walls.
2) Colonial wood cap.
3) Craftsman half wall cap and trim.
4) Craftsman railing with single rails.
5) Craftman deluxe 3-3-3 pattern rails (either inside the railing or outside (pictures shown for both ways).
6) Full Craftsman half wall. Notice: you can choose to continue the half wall all the way around depending on your floorplan. Also to add interest you can add a second or third Craftsman post, or add a combination of stailed or painted rails.