What if you tuck some silk greenery in there to help disguise the cords?

Do you sew?

You could make a panel of fabric -- gathered or ungathered -- and put it on a straight curtain rod, which you could mount directly to the back of the desk.

I'm thinking along the same lines as creekylis. What about a silk plant or some silk greenery woven along the railing in a strategic spot? Or even an urn with some swamp grass or reeds in it behind the desk.

Thanks for the advice.....I took it and tried to use what I already have....Last time I didn't even think aabout this greenery. How does it look? Does it look O.K.? Is there anything I need to do to make it look better....Any ideas welcome.
Thanks

{{!gwi}}

Looks great! If you want a more simple solution, I ALWAYS paint my electrical cords the color of whatever they are up against. For example, if I have a power cord pluggged into a wall, I paint the outlet and the cord the wall color. It is amazing how it blends into the wall and you don't "see" it. I don't do anything special for prep but just paint the cord.

Hmmm... You're on the right track. I like the greenery, but that particular one looks like your tree fell over. Any chance you could get something a bit smaller that will fit in that space?

personally I would go with some fabric vs the greenery (but I hate fake greenery--unless you used lots of silk plants to make more of a hedge effect---

maybe these ideas interest you better
1) fabric shirred on some drapery rope--tie one end to the knob on the bannister and maybe tack one end to the wall--have it stretched very tightly--you want it to look taut--not loopy...run that on the outside of the wood so that it is not visible from below--run it around the other side as well

2) maybe get a taller screen with solid panels than you can cover with fabric--
you can use liguid starch to "wallpaper" fabric to anything that can be wetted down and not melt...
so some heavy cardboard would work or

3) a screen that has rods between the sections that you can put fabric on like a curtain rod--top and bottom
like this frame from an on-line source (there are several styles on that site--some more translucent than others)

there is one on Amazon that has different colors frame
you can get it with more panels--maybe enough to go around the corner of the desk/balcony

instead of material--if the section material was solid you could back it with cork drawer liner and use it for cork board--

depends on how much light that area has--how much you would appreciate having more privacy working up there--
how the different height of the screen (and they come in different heights) would look from the area below or walking up the stairs...
personally I think the right fabrics/colors could really make it look more "designed" vs "found"...but the most finished look would probably be one that could actually cover the outside of the banister vs being place inside it

Here is a link that might be useful: screen w/removeable fabric

Tanks everyone. After searching everywhere for a short screen and looking at the fallen tree...I decided to make this. I think it looks O.K. but need to see what you all think. This hhas been one ofthe hardest decorating issue I have ever had....seems like nothing works but this one looks better than what I have done before. What do you think. The color matches most ofthe rooms downstairs.

{{!gwi}}

What I liked about the fake greenery / birdhouse route was that the balusters were part of the composition, or at least didn't compete too much. Whereas, placement of the artwork/screen/fabric behind the balusters makes it look like it's behind bars.

You mentioned not liking the quilt over the rail, but I think artwork of the right size hung in front of the balusters might do the trick. Another possibility would be to stage a pottery collection, or something along those lines.

b-t-w, I would enjoy my desk in that location!

Looks like this might be a good size?

{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: wall plaque - large - 51w x 31.5 h

I agree with mjlb. If a quilt does not work with your decor below another option could be a tapestry. It would be helpful to see the decor downstairs to make a better suggestion. Another thought would be to look into routing the cords to the side of the desk nearer to the outlet (and not out the back as they are now). That would still leave you with the hole visable, though.

On one of Christopher Lowell's older shows I remember him having to block the up view from the down stairs. He used bamboo shades of some kind. I'm trying to remember if he took bamboo shades and turned them side ways and attached them to the railing. Oh darn I wish I could remember because it did look beautiful. You may want to go to his personal web page. He has a lot of spaces he did from his old shows on the site. You may see it there. Sorry I can't remember the specifics.