I'm at a loss as to how to decorate the area around the staircase in our big open-plan kitchen/dining/living room. Any suggestions?

A staircase can bring a sculptural element to a room and presents an opportunity to enhance both the area under the stairs and the wall area above. If your stairs haven't been designed as an architectural statement with open treads, paint them white to blend in with other features. Consider painting the handrail in an accent colour or covering the risers (the vertical parts between the steps) in mirror laminate. Space under the stairs could accommodate a built-in wine cellar, bookcase or utility cupboard, a sitting nook with daybed or even a media centre. The wall above the stairs is the ideal spot fora photo gallery. Keep frames consistentin colour – say, all white or all black – but vary the shapes for graphic interest.