Where do stairs go when they die?

Last week I mentioned that we were going to go ahead and build a 'butcher block' staircase.  I was pumped mid week as the guys began to build a section of it. (Isn't it the best?)

Then my contractor dropped a bomb on my idea.  He priced it out, and the stairs will cost $1800 EXTRA...that's on top of the amount already in the quote.  Suuuuuuuuxxxxxxxxx......Something about labor to cut each one of those stringers, then sanding and blah blah blah....

So we are going back to standard average boring loser staircase.  Not an open staircase...not a blocky staircase...not a wicked staircase...just stupid stairs...I will paint them black, in mourning.

This is my one millionth post on these stairs...read HERE and HERE in case you want a feel for how truly bummed I am right now.  Something tells me I need to lower my expectations...