We added granite to the top of our planter boxes.

Great idea, redsilver! Too funny, too!

Thanks, Bonnie! That could improve it. I wonder what the idea was behind this kind of design.

I'd finish the stair railing and spindles and get rid of the boxes.

I agree with you, shirlpp, except it houses the closet at the bottom of the stairs which is very much needed. And the foyer is already so huge, removing the boxes would make it crazy-big for the style of the house. But I really do appreciate you taking the time to think about it and comment!

I should have been more clear and said to not take out the closets but to try to create a angle at the top which would entail cutting the boxes and topping them off.

In this picture notice the angles at the ceilings for the closets. You'd create an angle like this but it would not go to the ceiling. I was thinking it would fit in with your architecture.

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Oh, now I get it what you mean! Of course! Rather than wracking my brain trying to think of what to do with them, I can simply chop off the boxes but still leave the closet section. Funny how sometimes we don't see the obvious. THANKS, shirlpp!

The purpose of this design likely began as a perceived need for framing in order to keep the stair rail sturdy for safety reasons -- and to do so without a floor to ceiling post at the top of the stairs. It was probably easer and cheaper and more practical to create a decorative purpose rather than add side cabinet doors at that height.

You could use it as an umbrella stand or a place for faux flowers but I like the idea of creating a hidden cabinet for a lock box better.

Don't know if this would work for you, but if the "boxes" were lighten up at the top, it would make a big difference. You would still have a unusable platform, but at least it wouldn't be so overbearing overhead.

Awww, like a balcony?? Denise? That's pretty cool. Could create a 'still life' display there, with a plant or a vintage display of the homeowners' creation ? It would be more de-construction, but it would make the space very unique.

Thanks, redsilver. Not sure the actual site specifics, but just throwing out an idea. Nice that you saw the possibilities. Since the "box" overhead is the issue Joanna has, eliminating it altogether seems like the solution.

I was think more on the line of "Romeo, Oh, Romeo" ! haha If there are kids in the house, or even big kids, I see many many performances. Fun times!

You could definitely have fun with that. Having 2 adult daughters sharing their first home away from home once they got their 'college education jobs'....it had an open loft above the den area. What fun they had! doing balloon drops on New Years eve gatherings when their friends were over for parties and surprize birthday gatherings they hosted. 10 years later, one daughter and now a husband live there with 2 toddlers....the dilemna: What can they put between the stair rail and the ceiling to prevent the sporadic toy drops??? or the youngest toddler from possibly launching off of it? ? :o I've suggest construction waffle fencing....LOL...they are considering plexi glass? LOL.... I Like the Romeo balcony idea. It will also make for a great place to use the many seasons of garland.....english ivy.....christmas evergreen,...pastel easter eggs....4th of July bunting...So much fun!!! Hope we see their results..

Denise, that's BRILLIANT!!! Talk about thinking outside the box (pardon the pun)! Interestingly, the other side of the foyer is one giant blank wall and my sister jokingly suggested putting a Juliet balcony on it. What is it about the area that makes people think of Romeo and Juliet -- hee-hee! But really, I LOVE your idea! As well as your kindness in going to the effort of even providing a graphic. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I think we have a winner? DENISE? She has got the magic sketch pad!! :) Awesome.

Ha, redsilver, thing is, we are old but, thank goodness, immature enough to partake in balloon dropping -- yet another reason for the balcony! :-)

And I think you should invite redsilver over! What fabulous ideas - the balloon drop especially. I love houzz so much as the interaction of ideas and community is awesome.

Joanna, promise you will post the end result. I also love to watch the process. There are so many people that have the same problem as it was a design detail in the 80s. Ugh. The planters remind me of Chia Pets. haha

Can build them up to ceiling & have a closet acessible from top of stairs or no doors & shelving recessed inside

You're no doubt right, suezbell, about the reason behind the design. Thanks!

About the safety issue for small kids: two words: chicken wire. Paint it white. It's temporary and clean and safe and can be molded as necessary. Let's face it, anything you do will look like a cage. The chicken wire will look fun and industrial and very safe. If they can keep chickens from getting in trouble...Just saying.

I didn't know this was a common issue, Denise. They did a lot of bizarro things in the 90s (including hair...particularly mine at the time), so I should've known.

Sure, I can post the result of whatever we end up doing, but I'm just not sure it'll be the balcony. You see, my husband found me up in the middle of the night drawing sketches for little sculptures -- men climbing up the boxes, in the boxes, over them, etc. -- and now he really wants us to keep the boxes as is! Agh! But I do like your idea VERY MUCH so I'll have to work on him (or make very bad sculptures so he'll insist on the balcony :-)

Good idea, artistsharonva, but the top of them looks onto a large window with a view so we can't really go to the ceiling. But thanks for the drawing! Really appreciate the time and effort!

Oh, Denise, yes, I've heard that chicken wire is the latest design trend! The walls will be grey soon and the handrail black, but the posts will remain white so white chicken wire would indeed be perfect! :-) All kidding aside, yes, keeping kids safe might be an issue, so fortunately we've none and if kids do come it'll be rarely.

Is chicken wire making a comeback? I just cleaned my CW partition yesterday and was thinking of removing it. Maybe not...

I don't know, decoethusiaste. But I don't think it's come back to foyers, anyway, if they've ever have been in foyers (other than in a farmhouse-style designs, or country houses, in which case they'd look great).

That's funny. Put ugly things there to motivate husband...lol.

There are a lot of cool ideas.

I like things that add needed function. Redsilver's idea of a top that opens would be useful in hiding rarely used stuff. It will also keep dust out, easier to maintain. Maybe give the hidden space to hubby to hide his stuff might inspire him. Plus, it is one of the easier cost effective solutions.

The romeo love porch is creative.

Lot of creative people who think outside the box, on this post.

Yes, artistsharonva, it's always great if a design can have a practical purpose. I'm all for "art for art's sake" but if there's an opportunity for practicality in design, well, yay!

That's exactly what I was thinking, Melissa R! People climbing up, looking over, even walking a tightrope between the two. Too much fun.

Just had a thought...maybe I could put a fish tank inside one box then put a window in the wall near the top of the stairs. You'd see the fish as you go up the stairs as well as when you got to the top, which would remain open, of course. There's the issue, though, of insurance premiums and fish tanks :-( not to mention the controversy about fish in captivity. Still, you all are getting the creative juices flowing!

haha This is crazy fun with a functional purpose. Love when design makes people happy, which is how it is supposed to be.

This thread beats any episode of shiplap, Magnolia AND "The Last Rose" episodes.. LOLOL !! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend !!

If you remove the boxes and create a balcony and find you need to support the railing of the balcony, consider building in a bench as part of the railing -- have the railing be the back of the bench.

Ha! Janet Hicks, I love gargoyles! That would give me an incentive to own one. Thanks for commenting!

Good thought, suezbell. Thanks again!