Architect Rebecca Schnier, Oakland, Calif., likes to fit good design into every part of a house, and the top of the stairs is no exception. In this remodel of a California home, she designed a cantilevered shelf of thick, clear glass that shoots out over the redesigned stairway. The horizontal component of the shelf acts in contrast to the vertical element of the stairs, and the banister over the glass lightens up the substantial design. The sanded edges make the shelf safe for passers-by.