Styling vs Staging

Via

Have you noticed the difference between staging and styling?   In the past I've always styled first, then staged at selling time. Although we just moved back into our house, we are facing selling next spring. It's hardly justifiable to style it to my taste only to turn right around and stage it. Boy is this throwing a kink in things! 

Staging: keep it simple.
My Styling: drama.
Staging: appeal to the masses.
My Styling: do what makes me happy.
Staging: keep it neutral.
My Styling: be bold.


I'm not way out there on taste specific decor but I do understand the concept of staging.  I've sold many, many houses and I'm a firm believer that staging works!

My current "Staging vs Styling" dilemma:

I showed you how we painted the stair railings and risers here.  

This staircase is located in the great room. So now I'm wondering what to do about the fireplace area and doors. 

 (Excuse the mess on the porch. We have repairs going on everywhere.)

I was thinking of painting the mantel, fireplace surround and french doors black too.  The down side to that is, 1- buyers may prefer everything left white. I'm finding not many people outside of blogging and the decor world really understand the concept of painting doors black, including the doc.
2- The doors are the only light the room has, which is not much. You can probably tell by how hard it is to even photograph the space. 
Would painting them black minimize the light even more?
I have some lovely fabric for curtain panels to frame those two doors but have hesitated, again because of the light.
So the question is-
To paint or not to paint?

Oh how I'd love to rip out all of that tile. I've had the equestrian art for nearly 20 years. I still like it but would love a change. My goal has been to spend zero on decor since our time here is short.
Keeping my focus on staging not styling!