thanks both & sorry for not getting back sooner. Appreciate it! unfortunately, while lovely, glass panels are going to be too expensive as is upgrading the doors/walls upstairs (realistically we would have to take down all the upstairs walls and start again to make any difference). But thanks. Obviously if we do enclose it will use a glazed door at the base (the rules about the size of landing you need don't seem to be too strict here in Ireland - must have 40 cm from the base step completely free) so we are thinking door at the base of the stairs opening towards the front door. My sister in law however suggests using the entire width between the front door and the stairs as storage, fairly similar to now, but with a door opening out into the kitchen. still thinking. thanks again for your input anyway.

Gosh, I've returned after a week travelling for work to loads more suggestions - thanks all! To respond specifically: - the house faces south so gets the lovely morning (and in the uk, sometimes the only) sun. - the husband has avoided putting plants in the planters due to maintenance and they're generally twee so comments here have confirmed to me that they will be coming out - love the idea of wooden boxes with the spiky plants and grasses - also like the concept of taking out the grass/bed/tree in front completely out and replacing with slabs - yes to lightening the windows - to the Barn company, I honestly don't mind the advice and I'd never seen sloping garage roofs. - nicking ideas from landscaping of new builds....great idea! - finally, Helen Scholes, I'm embarrassed about the spelling of kerb. Had no idea! Thanks again all.

no one? :)

These are stairs in our new house which I have sanded. My engineer / architect absolutely hate them and want to replace. The whole house is a 70s refurb needing everything reconfigured and re done. The stairs are the only thing I like. I like the iron and considering painting in farrow and ball railings. Rest of house will be minimalist modern, a bit mid century furniture. My engineer thinks it looks like a garden gate. I know cleaning will be a nightmare. Maybe I should replace iron with glass? Any opinion welcome.