they are reclaimed pine treads with painted LVL stringers

Love the open clean look of this place but I'm wondering how can the stairs be so open? Is it truly meeting code in your location that you do not have a handrail nor any balusters on the open side? Just concerned for safety, thanks.

Hi Kristine,
No code here in rural VT. :)
The owners do have small children and were concerned a bit but we tend to think that injuries on staircases are a result of people falling down the stair and not off the sides. It could certainly happen but really, it's probably a rare occurrence. Also, people are drawn to the side with the handrail.
Chris