I have the same problem, my railing has vertical posts. I'm going to cut most of the vert posts and run some thick horizontal wire for a cleaner look.

I agree that there is too much going on, however some of the suggestions are costly and in my opinion don't completely take care of the problems. I like the design approach it is fresh and updated. I agree that the chimney cap is out of proportion and just needs a simple band at the top. In order to make the exterior remain timeless over the years, Now Sit Down for a minute, I would make all of the exterior the white color. I know you love red however this will tie the different components of the architecture together more than any thing else. You can still have high gloss red doors and red tile pavers on the ground. It would also be very classy the use white tile in place of the brick look. You could even mix gloss white tiles with matt finish tiles to give an interesting sparkle when you ride by. I like the wrought iron upper railing, but the vertical blocking on the right side looks too heavy. So I would continue the same railing around the corner and back toward the house until it connects to the other balcony railing. This also ties the house together. It would look much more classic to not have a grid in the tall window and instead have a solid piece of glass down to the transom and then from there down be solid glass as well. Glass block in the courtyard column sections with back lights would look unbelievable. I would arch the closed in section on the second level as it would show up more there than the window being arched does, so save the money and don't arch that window. I would either hang a long contemporary light on the right elevation to dress it up or insert a long strip of glass block lighted from the interior to achieve the same effect. I charge for renderings, because I list the materials as well. Best, Leo Dowell Interiors.com

This is a most unusual and interesting structure. I would not have been sure it was a house from the picture. Pameladunson and I are in agreement that the strong visual difference between the rather utilitarian-looking "guard" at the roof and the more decorative fence/gate in front isn't visually pleasing. Both should be from the same architectural design family, although they need not be identical. The windows appear to have quite a bit of small architectural detail as best I can make out from the photo. The railing in front seems to have a scale that is better relative to those window details than does the "guard" at the roof, so I would probably opt for changing the roof "guard", not the railing in front. If do-able dollar-wise, It might be even better to remove both the roof "guard" and the railing/gate in front and design something new for these areas that is a good match with the most striking details elsewhere on the house.

you are thinking about the space right now. it looks odd, no doubt. 1) when you fill in with the furniture, just make sure the three steps are hidden. 2) consider three potted plants of different height, so the rectangle is complete. 3) glass bowl with Siamese fighting fish for each step 4) figurines of different heights 5) 2inch square wooden bar on each step up to the top of the rectangle. and complete the entire rectangle if you want with a smaller rectangle open in the center my suggestion is, there is a reason why this space ended up like this. it will look great once you put something there. things like these are what make your house unique.