Interior columns, what to do?

[89th]

@catseye3 said in Interior columns, what to do?:

One time I had an idea I wanted to implement that involved removing a door-door and installing a pocket door. I had a contractor in to look at this. He took one glance and told me the beam I wanted hollowed out (to accommodate the pocket door) was load bearing and couldn't be weakened that way.

So that is my first thought in your deal. To what extent are the columns load bearing? Probably any guys you get in will advise you on this . . . or maybe IT will.

My only other thought is a matter of taste; the columns look like gilding the lily to me. I'd want to disappear them for that reason. But that's me, you may not agree.

Thanks for the feedback! Yes a lot depends if it's load bearing or not.

[89th]

@mik said in Interior columns, what to do?:

Are you putting in new carpet or a solid surface? Whatever way you go here it will cost a few shekels. You might be better off to just go ahead and carpet and paint for now and wait until you live there a while and get a comprehensive plan for the whole floor.

If you did the beam, knocked out the kitchen wall and got some modern metal stair rails it would modernize the whole floor.

Carpet... and there's really nice millwork throughout so I think we'll keep the wood railings (etc). I don't think we'd knock out the wall, but I did add the wood beam (and ceiling raise) idea in the 3rd and 4th photoshopped images above. I like the wood beam idea, if we went that route.

[Mik]

It seems to define that area a bit better. Leaving the arch without the pedestals looks imbalanced and with no trim at all it looks austere.

[Axtremus]

Aesthetically, the last photoshop job with the wood trim looks best to me. It all depends on whether those columns are load bearing. If they are not, then I'd go for the wood trim option.

[Mik]

Even replacing the columns with wood sort of like this picture would be better. probably cheaper too. Those white Doric columns are a bit grandiose.

[xenon]

+1 for updated columns.

[LuFins Dad]

This thread is so racist. You all ought to be ashamed of your privilege.

[89th]

@mik said in Interior columns, what to do?:

Even replacing the columns with wood sort of like this picture would be better. probably cheaper too. Those white Doric columns are a bit grandiose.

You have a great eye, I like that idea as well! We have a contractor we've used in the past who will come assess if it's loadbearing or not. That will determine quite a bit!

[Friday]

If you can match the wood perfectly, my vote would be for updating the columns.

If you decide to remove the columns, my vote is for #4.

[mark]

Link to video

[89th]

@friday said in Interior columns, what to do?:

If you can match the wood perfectly, my vote would be for updating the columns.

If you decide to remove the columns, my vote is for #4.

Agreed, I think that’s where I’m at now.

[Renauda]

I think the existing columns are fine as is, but then I am used to seeing columns separating my living and dining room. However if you really need to make a change, I would go with Mik's suggestion with the wood. I have considered similar here.

[Jolly]

Personally, I'd put my money back in my pocket.

[Mik]

Y’know, one thing you might try is painting them the same flat color as the walls. They really stand out in that gloss white.

[Ivorythumper]

@89th said in Interior columns, what to do?:

@catseye3 said in Interior columns, what to do?:

One time I had an idea I wanted to implement that involved removing a door-door and installing a pocket door. I had a contractor in to look at this. He took one glance and told me the beam I wanted hollowed out (to accommodate the pocket door) was load bearing and couldn't be weakened that way.

So that is my first thought in your deal. To what extent are the columns load bearing? Probably any guys you get in will advise you on this . . . or maybe IT will.

My only other thought is a matter of taste; the columns look like gilding the lily to me. I'd want to disappear them for that reason. But that's me, you may not agree.

Thanks for the feedback! Yes a lot depends if it's load bearing or not.

The span is too short for them to be load bearing -- if its a stick framed building you could probably just strip the drywall and cut in a laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beam at most.

Per Mik's mark up, the whole side wall could probably be opened up as well.

[Horace]

Beautiful home.

[89th]

@ivorythumper thanks! We most likely will replace the existing columns with a squared off version of the millwork we see on the stairwell and even the fireplace in the family room. In other words, no removal of the columns but a replacement of the style.

[Mik]

That would be more in keeping with the rest of the house. There's nothing else I see that is gloss white or that round style.

[xenon]

One other consideration - when you get estimates for the work compare the cost against what more you can get by adding that amount to your furniture budget.

It's easy to focus on built-in features in an empty room, but they tend to go out of focus a bit in a furnished room.

But if they clash with your planned aesthetic... just change them, else it'll keep bugging you.