We have lived for over 20 years in a house with a narrow LR very similar to yours (including the location of the fireplace). Over the years, we have shoved the furniture around many times to meet our changing needs. My sense of the best furniture items for a room this shape is: one not-too-wide couch (maybe an apartment width), 3-4 upholstered, but not-too-wide chairs, and 1-3 light weight chairs that can be relocated as needed (we have a rocking chair and a wooden chair). I like sectionals, but they aren't the friendliest for talking to others and they take up a lot of space for the amount of good seating that you get. (That is, could you really imagine more than 3 people sitting and talking comfortably on a small sectional? Contrast that with a shorter couch and two not too wide upholsterd chairs).

It is more likely that the building code states a force that the guard rail must resist and the newel post would have to resist the force on the end of the guard rail. How that is done would probably not be specified. For the stair width I believe the California code is the same as the IRC that is used in the rest of the country: The minimum width is 36" measured at the treads. The guard rails and other trim (balusters, etc) can encroach on that 36" minimum dimension a maximum of 3 1/2" so the clear minimum width at any point would be 32 1/2". I learned long ago to never ask others for code information; you have to look it up yourself. A good inspector would have opened the code book and read it to you.

i dont understand where the property line is??? your house is on the right??? .. your porch is elevated??? .. and that is part of the problem??? i am surprised there isnt a city code.. that they cant leave the cans in front of the house ... but that might be starting WW3.. is that boxwood???? would you be removing them ... could you put in a shade screen from that giant square post.. to the house ... outta site.. outta mind?? frankly ... nothing that will grow to the height you want.. will stay as thin as you want... and forcing something to do that thru pruning/training .. would probably take more work.. than the vine you dont want to grow ... soooo ... you have to think outside 'plant' box ... ken

I am not sure why anyone thinks I need a one-level home. I’m only 59 and play tennis five days a week. My husband runs triathlons and rows at a national masters’ level. We want a home on this very private mountainous lake from which to enjoy our early retirement. One level homes don’t appeal to us, and don’t exist at this steep location. We have a down-payment already made to reserve a space in a skilled nursing step-up facility if we ever need it, but honestly, I would prefer to die of a heart attack in my own home — even if it is on a narrow, ugly staircase. This home has, as a part of its design, a low 1/12 incline ramp from the garage to the house. Anyone who needs to visit will be parking next to it. The interior stairs will rarely be used, other than by my nimble, 27-year old going up to his 2nd floor suite. But if I could squeak another 2” of width, or do anything design wise to the stairs, it would help them look more open. I welcome the advice of anyone who has done this before, or has a creative idea. But I don’t want to be made to feel decrepit at 59 when I am quite fit. Someday, I won’t be. I know that. But stopping using stairs, IMHO, is a good way to lose agility, muscle, and motivation. I go up two flights at last 20 times a day, and I don’t plan to stop.