The newell post for the upper end of my staircase projects downward
into my living room (about 6" down from the ceiling). It would seem
neater to cut this off so it's flush with the underside of the
staircase. There must be some good reason for this, as it was exactly
the same at my previous house. I'm not going to cut it, but does anyone
know why it's been left in this way?

wrote:
The newell post for the upper end of my staircase projects downward
into my living room (about 6" down from the ceiling). It would seem
neater to cut this off so it's flush with the underside of the
staircase. There must be some good reason for this, as it was exactly
the same at my previous house. I'm not going to cut it, but does
anyone know why it's been left in this way?

Probably because cutting it off would weaken the stability of the landing
section as the newell post is secured to the staircase when put together?

--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

The3rd Earl Of Derby wrote:
wrote:
The newell post for the upper end of my staircase projects downward
into my living room (about 6" down from the ceiling). It would seem
neater to cut this off so it's flush with the underside of the
staircase. There must be some good reason for this, as it was exactly
the same at my previous house. I'm not going to cut it, but does
anyone know why it's been left in this way?

Probably because cutting it off would weaken the stability of the landing
section as the newell post is secured to the staircase when put together?

The protrusion is purely decorative. How could it be otherwise ?

The OP could attach a small moulding to the base if it is really plain
and ugly, or trim it back to 2-3" and leave it or decorate as required.
I think the newel post on my half landing is a couple of inches below
the false ceiling.

--
"Eat the rich, the poor are tough and stringy"

wrote:
The newell post for the upper end of my staircase projects downward
into my living room (about 6" down from the ceiling). It would seem
neater to cut this off so it's flush with the underside of the
staircase. There must be some good reason for this, as it was exactly
the same at my previous house. I'm not going to cut it, but does anyone
know why it's been left in this way?


I would guess so that the joint isn't too near the end, rather like the
horn on a sash window

pretended :
The newell post for the upper end of my staircase projects downward
into my living room (about 6" down from the ceiling). It would seem
neater to cut this off so it's flush with the underside of the
staircase. There must be some good reason for this, as it was exactly
the same at my previous house. I'm not going to cut it, but does anyone
know why it's been left in this way?

I would guess it is to provide additional strength to the highly
stressed joint/fixing which is higher up the post.

--

Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk