If there is a storage cupboard underneath the stairs, then I think its best to let go of the open risers. At the end of the day when it comes to stairs, I think you need to make simple decisions, don't complicate it. Sometimes spaces fuss over stairs and they can look great, but they are very impractical, expensive and dangerous. I think if you live in a house with no kids and no elderly, then you can lash out and go for something with more design risk. I think the timber stair profile shown in your picture looks great, and would work well with your vertical timber beam balustrade. However timber stairs can be noisy and quite slippery. If you are using carpet upstairs then you could consider running carpet all the way down the stairs. Don't do the half half thing. In order to finish the edge of the stairs neatly, I would edge the stairs with the plaster finish continuing from the cupboard wall, all the way up to the edge of the stairs and making an edge profile for the carpet to be neatly tucked into. By doing this you could still get the stepping silhouette which would look very cool. Then the beams could run off the plaster surface and not the edge of the carpet. Ultimately carpet may be annoying to have to vacuum, but it is a lot quieter, considerably cheaper and safer than timber stairs. Hope that helps. Good luck with it.

Hello, annb! No, not really :-( It will be part of a mini reno later this year, so I still have time up my sleeve. So many of the decisions (like flooring, paint colours, finishes etc) have a knock-on effect, that I need to decide on everything before I start. I think I need to get a cork flooring expert to come and look at our floors and tell me what is and isn't possible in terms of changing the colour of the existing floors. I still think Smartstrand carpet will be the choice for the carpeted areas. But who knows.....I'm feeling quite paralysed to the point of losing confidence about changing anything. I might need a professional to help me decide !

The side wood is called a stringer. Stairs without stringers are usually harder to construct as they need more careful detailing and craftsmanship. The stair with the stringer will provide better durability to the base of the plasterboard wall and protect it from scuff marks and damage. It is not all just about looks but about practicalities as well. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Hi All, thanks very much for the suggestions. Every comment is appreciated. I like the idea of building the cabinets out to cover the stair case. We could also put the pantry where the current store is and then move fridge next to the store. Also compass appreciate the innovative idea for the butlers, however I don't think we quite have the depth to achieve this really cool concept. Thanks