I agree w/ Aaron - Not every surface in a home has to be filed with stuff or decorated to death.

Leave it alone and enjoy it's uniqueness.

Paper the side facing the stairs. Then use it to artfully dispaly a few of your favorite objects.

Take it down and put up a banister? Seriously, that doesn't look very safe!

Ivy or another climbing plant in 3 of the "panes" could be nice. Or, how about getting a favorite outdoor photo enlarged and placing it behind the panes?

I think it would look nice backed with plywood painted/papered in an interesting color. Then you could use the display shelves more freely. I agree with the no clutter. If you dress the shelves, put single items in a cubby and leave some bare.

I think you should make the long stair wall a feature with wallpaper or a really vibrant paint colour, so that the grid of the shelves makes a set of frames for it.

I think you should leave the shelves mostly empty, especially because you won't be able to put anything in the two triangular "cells", and filling the squares would just make the triangles look very empty. However I do think a single object in each of the square "cells" might work, expecially if they were each individual and unusual and not too big (but not too small). If you do decide to do this though, you shoudl not put anything too irreplaceable as I suspect objects on these shelves would be regularly knocked off by people going up and down the stairs.

Definitely back it with something, the railing on the wall behind is very distracting. If you don't want the staircase to feel dark, do it with something translucent (acrylic) - look at the 3form website for ideas. I think it would be tough to find stuff that will fit on the narrow shelves, my best ideas is to lean a few photos in select "squares" and leave the rest empty.

i would leave it open, too … it is looking good that way, and adding a back to it would make the stairs rather gloomy. open it would tie in with your Japanese things, too …

if you are really pursuing a modern asian inspired aesthetic lacquer it and all of your other trim glossy black. The color of the wood and the apparent lack of proportion and craftsmanship makes it a bit of an eyesore in my opinion.

If black is a little too daunting i would paint it white and put a single brightly colored item on each shelf, preferably things that are either similar or relate to each other.

don't put anything on that. it will look horrible. don't do it. The only thing I would consider would be painting out the woodwork.

i actually think it would look good with things on the shelves - but i guess depends on what the rest of the house looks like. i'd probably fill it with colorful vases - or maybe just one color. although i'd be afraid of knocking them off!

I'd go with the paper screen idea - it would match your Japanese decor.

Either that or just take it down and add a nice banister.

I would cover both sides with white paper or fabric, and have some really low power lighting inside, maybe LED christmas lights? I dunno about you, but I'm a terrible klutz in daylight, and when it's dark out, I like to have a bit of light for my inevitable midnight wanderings.

How about a see-through mesh instead of paper? It might be a little more modern and not as claustrophobic as something opaque might be.

Also maybe install some backlighting so that a silhouette sharply appears when someone (or something!) is on the staircase.

Currently, as is, I think you need a tall piece of wood furniture to the left of Nevada. The contrasty-nature of the wood trim against the walls is a little "busy" and not too zen.

Cool feature!

Use small teacup hooks and suspend seven large black & white framed photos.

It looks to be about 54" wide (six treads), so you could staple/glue a light batik fabric to the back.

You should leave the wood alone unless you're ready to refinish your baseboards - they should remain the same.

My vote: demolition.

I'd leave it alone. I think it looks better bare. If you want to draw attention to it, perhaps you can paint the wall behind it (or the one next to it, but not both...or at least, not the same color) or hang some art on it.

I know it's a safety issue and unwise, but what I'd really like to do is remove the hand rail on the wall. It interferes with the clean lines of 'Nevada'.

I think you should leave the shelves/frames as is, then pick an interesting wallpaper for the stair wall behind them.

Paper screen is a good idea ,but if you would like to try something different then try putting frosted glass .It will look clean , bright and airy and very well go along with your japanese decor .I would also recommend staining the wood a darker brown stain .You could also put black and white pictures in the size of the cubes alternating .See not to over crowed as u should have zen appeal

Please, for the love of god, do not put anything on those shelves.

I would tear that thing down soooo fast. It looks crazy tacky.

For a more durable shoji screen look, try the translucent panels used in florescent fixtures. Available from your local home improvement store.

Try wallpaper - or a wall graphic on white paper - backed with thin board (for sturdiness). If you paint the adjacent wall and get a wallpaper (graphic) to match, it could look fabulous.

Those shelf widths don't look large enough to display things you don't want knocked over!

i'm in the 'take it down' club.

I like the frosted glass idea, though I have a feeling that might be pricey.

I also like the idea of suspending artwork in each square. Potted plants might look good too.

what about mini bonsai trees in a few of the shelfs?

i think painting the shelves would help define the geometric shapes that make up the whole. I would definitely get rid of the banister if you decide to leave the shelves open.

I am growing tired of "glossy black" as the number one suggestion for painting furniture or accents. That simply does not work for every space.

Paper could easily look too homespun and cheap. Plus...that might be quite a lot of work in addition to all of the other tasks you are undoubtedly trying to conquer.

My advice would be to place potted plants in those spaces; particularly graphic, sculptural plants like cacti and succulents alternating with a few many-leaved houseplants like ferns or possibly climbers. The choice between monochromatic or colorful pots would be up to you. This could at least be a good and inexpensive way to fill the space until you have found art or whatever else you'd like to be more permanent.

You could remove it, but I think you should try out a few ideas before you do so--especially since you mentioned that you'd admired these features in the past!

Hard to say, given we can't see the rest of the room. My gut reaction is to take it out, it looks like an afterthought.

I've always wanted one of these shelves. I think paper would be kind of a pain - difficult to clean, plus the second you misstep and put an elbow through it you'd have to do it all over again.

If it were me I would use it as a bookshelf, but I'm always looking for extra places to store my books. You wouldn't have to fill it completely - depending on the amount of light you want, or the type of look you're going for (serious storage or just a few display books) there are a lot of possibilities.

Remove it. It detracts, rather than adds, to the space. It looks cheap rather than architecturally interesting. If you'd like to use a grid as a design element, almost anywhere else would be better. The diagonals are really fighting that grid shape.

There's one thing that annoys me about his-- the grid is mysteriously incomplete. The second vertical rail (from right) should continue down to meet the diagonal.

Add the missing piece, then stain & finish to match.

Then, resist the temptation to add tschokes.

Rename it the Alberta shelf, and then decorate it with miniature pumpjacks and beef cattle.

If you painted the back hand rail the same color as the wall so it doesn't through...the symmetry of the wood design would look like a unique feature instead of something you felt you needed to do something with.

I think the real opportunity here is for dramatic lighting. I don't know anything about lighting, but I'm sure someone does. I'm not sure if it violates the Japanese aesthetic you already have, but very fine batiste, preferably in white, as a curtain that covers the wall and the "Nevada shelves" would make the feature a part of the stairway instead of the room. It has a very light and airy feel; I suspect the weight and fullness of the curtain would control the effect. Then, you could hang art on the "room" side of the curtain.

Not all horizontal surfaces need to be filled with stuff. Let the lines of the wood serve as a contrast to the wall color. Simple, serene, beautiful.

Brass mesh screening on both sides.

http://www.twpinc.com/twpinc/control/category/~category_id=TWPCAT_1

I like cperk8's idea! And yes, either get rid of the rail behind it or paint it the same color as the wall to camouflage it.

meowmineh.blogspot.com

I think it's cute and fun! If you like it don't demo it.
I would use hooks to hang a couple plants in it, a spider plant would look cool hanging in one of the top square, it's little babies would hang down in other squares, and maybe an orchid in one of the shelves below.
If it is safe enough (things won't get knocked over), store some decorative flower vases there.

I think it's great, I'd leave it. I would paint the banister on the opposite wall to match the wall and change out the light switch cover to match the wall as well. They are distracting.

You should make the handrail mounted to the wall "disappear" by painting it white or whatever color you're going to paint the wall if you plan on painting. Change the lightswitch to a white one...better yet, upgrade to a dimmer. Then paint your "Nevada" shelf in an accent color, something dark, to make it a feature. Don't place anything in it.

I also think you should add another vertical piece to the bottom space that you have pictured in the second pic. When you look at the first pic it looks like it's missing a piece.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions on my living room. This house belonged to my mother-in-law and I've spent 10 years looking at Nevada. I knew there was something awkward about it but didn't know what until I read your comments about the missing piece. You are so right.

Right now I'm leaning toward painting the handrail and the light switch. If I add the missing piece, I'll probably need to repaint the shelf.

@Mlle Kate - Your comment was jaw dropping. My mother-in-law was named Alberta. Before I understood your reference, I double checked to be sure I didn't include her name in my email.

BTW, Alberta picked the layout before the house was built and this feature was original. Many other houses in this development have the same shelving.

CynAmun--ha! With that serendipity, you have to keep the shelving. Have fun decorating!

Add glass shelves that 'belly-out' into the hallway on 2 or 3 shelves only. Use 1/2" thick glass with polished pencil leading edge. Depth is your choice, but 7" should be a nice flow.
Some simple track lights washing the face will 'pop' the glass edge and compliment the art pieces you arrange on shelf. Do not do nick-nacks. Tacky.
That bannister is ugly, and too many replacements to mention here. Just do something. It would be a budget thing.
Back to glass shelves.... Lots of way to attach on top of wood cross member, but simpliest is GE Silicone 10 yr warr. stuff. Clear. Just a bead at both short ends. Make a template out of 1/4" plywood and give to glass guys for estimate.