Things are really taking shape! I love this little area :)

Chair/table/lamps set up as if a reading nook where no one will EVER use them bother me. A console/lamps for additional display perhaps? I love your cabinet!

some big greenery would soften that corner. I wouldnt put more furniture.

I would actually outfit it with more creature (cat) comforts. Let them enjoy the little space they've carved out in your new home.

Lovely home. I don't think you need anything there.

It seems the cats love the space! I could see a chair and ottoman and larger lamp. Also a rug would look nice. I do not think you need to do anything. Your space is lovely and what a gorgeous cabinet!

I agree with RoseAbbey. [Edit: and aktillery about rug.] Big plants in big pots. A couple of ideas:

1. A large area rug (not necessarily an Oriental ... could do many other styles, even a cowhide) to break up and anchor the space, with three big plants/trees along the railing. I think it would look nice from below, too. No seating (don't hate me, Kitties!) :D

2. Area rug, and a pretty table (maybe even round, oval, or half-moon shaped) near the railing, with plants/trees flanking it .... to break up all the square edges of the area ... with a couple of lamps on the table.

I do like the wicker chair, though, and think the size works well there, maybe find a cute little ottoman for it, and see if you like it more? And add: plants! :D

Some large ones I have, as examples (sorry for the quality, had to turn on lights, sun isn't up yet):

Dried yucca on cedar "stems"......

Faux whatever it is....

Those examples might be too tall and not full enough, I have this in the entry, and it used to be fuller, but Lily Cat has decided to use it for snacking. :D Home Depot and Lowe's carry nice, big ones....

The cats could climb those!

;)

mizgg, you have some lovely spaces! I love your plants. You should show some more of your house as I am now curious! Did not mean to hijack post!

Ugh! I didn't look close enough .... I thought the railing was much longer.

Ok, chair/ottoman with one plant up to railing. Or, large plant where chair is, in corner, and small demilune or round table near railing. And area rug in middle.

Teach me to post before guzzling my coffee! :D

LOL, rob, true! Thank you, aktillery! :)

Some people do actually "use" these landing areas. I have a couple of friends who have either made like a small "den" type area or a reading nook. My one friend is a busy mom and especially enjoys her little "get-away". A blog I read has a similar nook that was fixed up as a library area. I have seen small sofas/loveseats in these areas. Two chairs instead of one might look nice in your area, it just depends on how you see yourself using the area.

I respectfully disagree with the others who lobby for greenery. A real houseplant would bring with it the challenge of both the necessity of watering in an inconvenient location, and the risk of water spillage to the rug below. And, having owned a home with an open stairway with a loft and 2 cats, I can assure you your cats will hang out there even without a comfy cushion. Cats like being/feeling up high, as I am sure you know. Most house plants are attractive to cats, so house plant+cat=slimy leaves on carpet. If you use a fake plant, well, that's a fake plant to dust, plus it's a fake plant no matter how good owners think they look.

You are 2 people with more rooms than you will use. I like a bit of space around. The most I would do is maybe use a ceramic stool in place of the brown table to add a little shine, or replace the chair with an even more comfy Craigslist one for the cats.

I think RoseAbbey hit it on the head when she suggested adding some greenery. However, with cats, it might be worth looking for (don't cringe) some good fake trees. There are a lot out there now that look very, very real, and that cats won't pee in the pots (dirt), nor will you have to worry about watering them on that carpet or leaves falling, etc.

I would remove what furniture you have there, as it looks insubstantial in the context of the area and also ruins the lovely sweep of railing across the gallery. If you need somewhere to sit, and I'm not sure in that large house you really do, you could put a long upholstered bench (no back) along the wall under the artwork hanging already----perhaps upholstered in a colorful kilim?

Both of these are from Overstock and less than $400.

That's a perfect spot for a large floor vase or a set of three in different heights. What do you see of this area from the bottom of the stairs looking up? I would keep it as uncluttered as possible. You have such stunning artwork that I would keep that the focus.

Can the cat post be moved to the right side of the China cabinet or does it have to stay in this area?

Just saw kswl2's idea of the bench for under the artwork. Love that idea if there's room near the stairs. Or place the bench where the chair is. Your house is beautiful.

Love kswl's suggestion! I also wasn't fond of the view from below. As usual, kswl hit a home run. The fabric is also perfect. You should be able to get a bench fairly cheap, maybe a damaged Kilim rug, and DIY that. (Just saw kswl's post about Overstock. Even better--they also just had a 15% off).

And, (still performing as the cats' defense attorney), the cats will LOVE being able to look down from their perch on that lovely bench.

I also like kswl's suggestion. I would be willing to cede the area to the cats.

Thank you SO much for giving me much to ponder! It really is funny how the kit-cats have taken to our new home, and they seem so much happier here than in the old place. Their little personalities have perked up, and Pooh - one of our oldest, who had gotten into a really grumpy rut right before we moved - has become "the mighty hunter", proudly bringing us DH's rolled-up dress socks that he's "killed" (over and over and over). He is so very pleased with himself, and it makes me happy to see such a spark in his steps!

MizGG - I too would love to see more photos of your home! It's no secret that I already think you're very sweet AND very cool and talented, and the pics I've seen of your home thus far are a real inspiration to me (and others, I'm sure)!

I was just thinking about plants this morning. I'm just not an indoor plant person. They don't like me, and in turn I end up not liking them. I can manage to even kill cactus (and have done so numerous times). I'd be nervous about having a live plant to water in a carpeted area, and DH hates faux plants (claims they set off his allergies even worse - possibly because they don't get dusted often enough when we've had them).

I do like the idea of bringing in a rug to anchor the space. I have a very nice (but becoming-threadbare) Persian from the other house in autumnal shades that might work very well here. It's sitting rolled up in the garage and I've not been able to figure out a place to use it. 'Course, a rug - on frieze carpet - DH will likely balk. Having been without carpet for so long, he's now thrilled to HAVE it and as he's the one who does most of the vacuuming in the house, I may have to acquiesce to his desires. But I'll work on him.

I really, really, really love those kilim-upholstered benches! One of those would be perfect in my house. There is not, however, a great deal of room beneath the artwork wall as you're coming up the stairs and passing by. DH, being a big guy (as in big/muscular - he's into body building and would probably like me to make it clear that he's not actually Jabba the Hutt), has asked me to keep the passageways clear as that makes him more comfortable. I can understand that. For many years, I've decorated based upon MY size rather than his, and I'm finally starting to see things from his point of view. About time, eh? Anyway, I wonder how a bench would look where the chair now is, except arranged so that it's horizontal to the display cabinet wall. I really would like to use that little Stickley table here if possible too. Perhaps put the table next to the bench and get a lower lamp, along the lines of a squatty mica?

I wouldn't feel too guilty about taking away the cats' chair, as I think you're right about the bench -- they would enjoy hanging out on it just as much, I'm sure. Maybe more, because of the nubby texture.

Going to keep mulling this over and taking in any new suggestions that come my way! Just found out that our shutters may be ready to be installed this weekend, and that means paying the $$ balance so bench-buying will likely be put on hold for the time being.

But I can still make plans. :-)

AuntJen thank you for your kind words, I feel the same about you! :)

Love that lamp! Love those gorgeous benches, too. Please tell kitties I'm sorry I suggested taking away their spot. :D

Aunt Jen, I would not necessarily center the bench under the artwork, which would restrict the space station the top of your stair. Instead, I would put a narrow bench (maybe 15"?) asymmetrically to the left, positioned so that it would not interfere with the traffics pattern. But, I haven't seen a picture of that area that shows the space from the stair POV.

Would not put a bench in front of that railing, as anything would compromise that spacious look and feel.

I think you need one of these to satisfy both the greenery and the cat hangout:

Cat Tree House

Since it isn't a very functional spot for a seating area, I'm in the "cede it to the cats" camp.

LOL, cawaps! For $800, the cats can just tough it out without a cat tree of their own! ;-D

kswl - I'm just not sure I can live with the space near the railings open. I dunno, I think it would seem - nekkid? Maybe I'm just not used to the thought and that's what's throwing me. Lemme think on that ...

In my new house, I have to install a handrail in the attic, and this is what I am considering--with a bookcase and without (just drywall and some trim)? I keep going back and forth. I too wasn't wild about being nekkid.

picture from Realtor.com

Love that, rob333! That's actually what I wanted to do in the house we were initially going to build, as the plans called for a half wall coming up the stairway. That's a very clever use of space, I think.

For the house we're in, though, I prefer to keep the railing as it is. Just really like that openness (never mind that I clutter it up by placing furniture in front of it ;-)).

I would be tempted to throw a smaller heavy blanket over the railing . But the kitties would make that a bad idea. I have a problem with heights and open railings like that and would want something to visually keep me from feeling like I could fall. Maybe a blanket over part of the wicker chair would be enough and give some interest below

that squatty lamp is very cute!

I tried one of the Navajo rugs draped over the railing following the staircase, but didn't like the way it closed in the space. Maybe I'll try one on the shorter railing that "looks out" into the foyer.

Well, I just KNOW you're all going to be majorly impressed with my mock-up "skills" (**snort!** -- give me Paint and Word and I'm disastrous; I really need a "real" program that does this!), but here's a kinda/sorta version of what I'm talking about ...

I actually think this looks much better than the current set-up.

I'm not sure what the purpose of the bench is - will you actually sit there and relax, put shoes on, expensive cat bed? What is this little area going to be used for. If you're trying to just decorate this empty space I'd scrape the bench.

How about a round pedestal table in that railing corner with some small squishy beds for the cats on the floor, in the recesses of the pedestal feet? Then decorate the table.

Much mo' better! I love your mockup.

So funny, I was just messing around with the bench up against the railing:

Thank you, Magdalena! MUCH better than my pitiful attempt! LOL!

The purpose of the bench? Hmmm. Just to look pretty and decorate the space mostly, if I'm honest. They actually aren't THAT expensive at $218 for the one pictured in the mock-up and I really like the pattern/texture it brings to the space. I don't want this to look like a ... well, an alternative practitioner's waiting room, if you know what I mean. Maybe it's the ficus that's throwing me a bit and making me think that. (They tend to make me think of my own doctor's waiting room!)

I'm not sure if a round pedestal table would look strange on the landing, since the Stickley round pedestal table (and chairs) is just around the corner in the library and we are using it as a games table. Might look like, "Oh, hey! There's my twin out there!"

Still ... I appreciate the food for thought!

Thanks, akt! I like that too! I actually saw a chaise at HomeGoods last night that looked a LOT like that.

I really like KSWL's bench idea or leaving the space empty, or maybe just a table and lamp with a low watt bulb that you can leave on for ambiance. Something about a chair backed up to an open railing above a high drop-off is not cozy or inviting to me but makes me imagine I'd feel a little uneasy. Maybe no one would sit on the bench, ever, but it's a colorful space filler

New and improved mock-up.

I had to kill the ficus. Sorry. ;-)

I do like the way a soft lamp glow on the landing looks from down below in the foyer, especially in the evenings. It draws the eye up and make it look like there's something cozy going on up there, which usually involves something that looks like this:

Just how many kitty cat beds do you need? We need to know this for future space and furniture planning for your rooms. :)

I think you need something tall in the corner. Instead of the table lamp, what about a floor lamp?

Those kittens are adorable!! So cozy!!

I love the bench against the rails. Don't care for all the other stuff. Keep it simple. If your kitties are anything like ours they'll love a bench.

What fluffys! I love their tails Cindy. My second favorite part of my cats. Paws come first. Looking good on that bench.

Thinking the chaise lounge will hold more cats than the bench. And a nice squatty nightlight

OT (sorta) cindyMac - oh my gosh. They look like bookends lying there with their furry bellies getting warmed by the sun.

This is on my CL for $40. Not quite the same as the kilim, but ... $40.