On 9 Nov 2005 10:10:47 -0800, "The Reverend Natural Light"
wrote:

Cut off the stairs a step or two above where they end now. Replace the
landing with a taller one to make up for the missing stairs. Build
new steps leading from the landing to floor level. It'd leave room for
a framed wall and end up with more width than you have now. It depends
on how high the ceilings are, of course.
if the ceiling allows it, this is the best choice. you get a nice
looking landing and a well insulated wall. if the ceiling
doesn't allow it, you have trouble. then, to make the best of a bad
situation, move that last 2X4 vertical back a half step or more
and think about what side to put the railing on.
i'm not sure which is best.
....thehick