Those are great. Are you worried about kids climbing the railings or going through? Or are they too low? If they aren't too low, you could perhaps attach plexiglass panels to the railings, on the climbing side.

It does look a little 80s, but in a good way!

Code failure. As noted by Fori, plexi is the cure. And when risk is not an issue, you can remove the panels.

(On my first home, when I was young and limber in my 20s, I removed the rails altogether and always wondered why visitors hugged the wall on the way up and down.)

Hi and thank you Fori. There are parts that a small one could squeeze through as well with the bars horizontal they could def climb and its 3 stories. I am thinking of how to embrace this design but making it safe. My husband was thinking of framing in the lower part and leaving one rail on top if its doable. Just looking for all options.

This is a shot of the walkway on third level that just scares me looking at it for small kids. Plexiglass may work, I will have to look for some inspiration on how that could look.

It's too cool! You have to leave the see-through! It adds to the overall airiness of the place. Look for pictures of glass staircase railings for ideas. (I assume tempered glass is a more expensive and permanent solution but it looks the same in photos...)

Thanks Fori, don't I remember you from the kitchen forum many years ago? I am confused by this double posting on here (where I used to go) and on Houzz!

...still working on that kitchen. or a second one... :P

Those are a ladder waiting for a child to climb to their injury or death. Designer arrogance of form over function irritates me. The challenge is fixing the problem cost effectively; either that or do-over.

Yes Joseph, thats exactly why I posted.

You could probably apply a metal mesh behind the lower rails keeping only the top handrail, to maintain the design.

Plexi is a common solution in our area when some naif new "builder" or diy has beautiful swirly steel installed on their multi-million dollar custom only to find that the building inspector is not impressed. IOW, this won't be something fabricators haven't seen before. Check with your local stairbuilders to find the appropriate suppliers.

Thanks, I have now seen several websites showing plexi used for safety reasons on stairs and balconies. I think that will be the ticket to make it safe immediately without making any design changes. There will be so many other questions to follow on that subject! Thanks again.

Plexiglas and others are a code compliant solution, but just remember, if you so much as sneeze next to them, you've got a scratch. Enough sneezes and it doesn't look good.

Even if they don't scratch, sneezes aren't gonna look nice! :P

If using plexiglass, would place it on the interior side of the railings (closest to the steps) to block access to the middle & lower railings, that may be perceived as steps to climb.

Baby proofing with plexi glass

https://youtu.be/TVg9Idjdk6k

The mesh isn't bad, but it does introduce another potential variable: is there a cat involved?

Thanks for all the photos, I have been finding some as well, more ideas than I imagined. @worthy that idea has come to mind while walking in public places for sure lol. There is a 15 year old cat and two dogs @Fori.

There is another very high spot that has a climb through potential that plexi would be used. My SIL who does signage, said its another name not plexi but it escapes me now.

It actually looks like a nice late contemporary art-deco revival house :)

"Late contemporary art-deco revival house" Ok! Is that what it is? I have been scouring 80's design and reading what I can find. We will have a 90 day escrow and lots of time for me to plan out where we want to start. Definitely the floors, I cannot imagine living with white carpets. So many questions about mixing my current style with that design. Of course Realtors were discussing right away how to change the design of fireplace and take out the railings and I have decided to live with it and see how I feel. I want to appreciate the design but make it my own, updated. Would love suggestions!

Why would they think you'd want to change that? It's like being on a cartoon cruise ship! (I mean that in a good way.)

White carpet though? Heh. Yeah that can go.

I wanted to update this thread for anyone else with a safety issue with stair rails.

My SIL used Lexan, similar to plexi but better. He measured and had all pieces cut to fit, rounded edges, etc. We made a few taller where it was needed. He then used white zip ties to secure it. You can hardly see its there (except where the little dirty handprints are) and we feel so much better. We still have the airy open feeling, without the danger of our grandkids climbing and falling.

One item done and lots more to do! Thanks to all that chimed in!

Sounds like a great solution, and I love the photos of your house. What did you decide to do about flooring? Any more photos?

Thank you AnnKH. Getting estimates now for hardwood on main floor added to existing and then refinished. We want to do all the stairs and the main living floor in hardwood.

I have only done the downstairs bedroom that was covered in old wallpaper, heavy drapes and old carpet. We had it stripped, painted and put a new luxury vinyl, waterproof, wood look alike down there in a driftwood color. So far I am loving it! Wanted something waterproof because we are close to the water and get lots of sand on the first floor. No after pics yet.

That is an incredibly cool 80s house. Definitely Art Deco contemporary revival.

Thanks Milly Rey, I can't afford to buy all new furnishings and want a coastal feel, so picking new furniture and kitchen design is real tricky.

Nope! Easy!!! Lol.

Pickled rattan as you replace your upholstery.

Right style:

Best finish:

This style of furniture is usually cheap!

For the Art Deco side, watch Poirot on Netflix for the architectural p0rn.

Milly Rey, I would def use those washed chairs! But my current search is dining table and this style usually has glass. Want a family style table for grandkids to use as well.

That's right! Even the rattan tables were glass. We used placemats religiously on a friend's, but that's annoying.