I had no real direction or goal at that point, but I knew I wanted to do something that I had loved: architecture, and real estate.

And it seems baffling there are no construction or architecture firms dedicated to the concept.There is no convention in shipping container construction, therefore every step of the process is clunky, i.e. time-consuming, i.e. expensive.This is why, I believe, it hasn't (really) worked, which is definitely not to say that it won't work.

I went to school for Architecture & Civil Engineering an have been researching real estate investment for over a year.

I love homes with history and architectural detail and Louisville seem to have an unending supply of these. 

Don't have electrician hired yet because architectural plans not done yet.

Here's an example that is contempo, clean, simple, metal with wood (for continuity to the floor), and it mounts in the same way as your existing balustrade:https://www.hubush.com/modern-stair-railing-ideas/...The hanging fixture examples might be a bit ornate for your architecture.

A little bit about myself - My educational background is in architectural engineering with a focus in construction management.

I work for an architectural firm that does very large commercial construction.

Does that $4500 cost entail the CAD drawings, Engineer stamp, and Architectural stamp? 

They know all the current trends and can help you create a color scheme that's appropriate for your homes architecture and also help you with what local buyers are looking for.