Brightening up the stairs

You have to admit that the ugly black wrought iron railing by our front door is a bit depressing. It was green before I painted it black and I think that might have been even more depressing. Maybe someday we'll change that railing out for something more attractive (although how you'd do that  I have no idea), but it does a pretty good job of just sort of disappearing, especially now that this clematis has grown up through it.

The seagull came with the house and even though he (I think he's a he ... sometimes I call him Fred) is a bit kitschy, I just think he belongs here. Between the clematis and Fred, I think even the ugly railing is redeemable.