If I was willing to live with a 9" tread at the 12" walk-line I would make the stair width 44 1/2 inches and be done with it. To maintain the 48" wide stair you would have to reduce the number of stair treads or allow the tread at the 12" walk-line to be less than 9". It appears that the 1 & 2 family dwelling code in Cleveland is the 2006 IRC but it is not clear to me if it has been modified by amendments. In any case here it is: R311.5.3.2 Tread depth. "The minimum tread depth shall be 10 inches. The tread depth shall be measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads and at a right angle to the tread's leading edge. The greatest tread depth within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch. Winder treads shall have a minimum tread depth of 10 inches measured as above at a point 12 inches from the side where the treads are narrower. Winder treads shall have a minimum tread depth of 6 inches at any point. Within any flight of stairs, the largest winder tread depth at the 12 inch walk line shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch." Even if this building code has been modified locally, because it is has been the national standard for so many years, I would insist that the designers adhere to it. Ask them what code they are using and why it might be more appropriate than the IRC. I've designed enough buildings to know that being reputable doesn't mean you can't make a seemingly amateurish mistake.

Norasnews, Thank you for the paint color, I will try it along with two others I've just picked up here today. Are you saying you're considering staining the handrail as dark as the desk? Or that you want to darken it to the value of the floor? Well my opinion is that it looks absolutely perfect the way it is -- rich and cheerful at the same time, but that it would be OK to make it match the floor. No darker though, definitely not like the desk. This is really funny because I have a very dark handrail and newel posts and would like to lighten them to be more like yours (or at least like your floor). I know what you mean about gel stain. The only kind of stain I'll use on a DIY project is Bartley's gel stain and varnish. I love them!

doorih, I love the example you posted. The other ones...not so much. Will your entry be similar? I like how it shows off the entry and separates it from the other rooms coming off the entry. It's well done! DH lays wood, vinyl plank and other flooring. He's done this pattern many times. Angles and points are his favorite way to install tile, wood and even patterned carpet. Our den's antelope patterned carpet is laid at a 45 degree angle. But it will definitely cost more for the install and there will be more material to buy.

I like the idea of a lighter wall color, just make sure it blends with the tile. Your trim and doors seem to be two different shades of white, I would make them the same color. Will the entry table stay? Is this a separate foyer or combined with a living room? It'd be nice to see the whole area in context. Agree the Sputnik is too modern. What you have now is more of an up-light shining towards the ceiling, which brings the focus to the wonderful cobwebs up there-lol! Cleaning that fixture and changing those light bulbs are not fun, I know from experience. I would look for something that will disperse light better and not be such a dust collector. :)