Decorating 2 massive pillars with style

[SnowOnTheSeine]

We are currently buying a new flat. It has 2 massive load-bearing pillars in the living room. One of them isn't too bad (by the window), but the one nearest the entrance door is pretty awful (it doesn't block the door, but is very close to is - only 70cm from the wall).

Any ideas how to disguise them or decorate them to make them look nice? Our estate agent said to cover them in photos but I think that'll look crappy.

Our style is classic and pretty sober generally.

The rest of the flat is lovely BTW and I think the pillars are part of the reason this is in our price range!

Are you set on a classic interior? I don’t think this type of architecture lends itself that well to that style. That sort of stuff works better in rooms with fireplaces and bay windows.

However, going down the route of a ‘warehouse’ apartment style would look really good in this type of property and the pillars would be an enhancement.

Thanks for replying.

We're really not keen on warehouse style. I really want something cosy and comfy for us and the DC. We're planning on having the room with "zones" : TV zone (with 2/3 comfy sofas), dining area, reading area (bookcases and sofa by the window), and... haven't got much further to be honest!

All the zoning can be done irrespective of style. The pillar near the window could form a natural break in between 2 zones so that might work well. The one by the door

In terms of decorating the pillars, I don't think there's much you can do without it going all funky and creative and on a tangent from your preferred style. I've attached a few pics. In the classic interior, the pillars are just made to a more classic shape. The other 2 use them for a treatment and for books. - nice ideas but classic. See if you like any of them.

I agree with PP I'm not sure you can easily disguise them.

However a thought with the one by the entrance door - if you switched the door to open the other way could you box in the pillar to make it square and make a small bit of wall between the pillar and the wall if that makes sense so that the door opens into a small bit of 'hallway' and the pillar looks like the end of the wall iyswim rather than randomly stuck in the middle when you open the door.

The other one again I think would look better boxed to make it square with maybe some cornice/detailing around the top to fit in with the general style/look. Then perhaps use it as part of your 'zoning' so put a bookcase against it or a sofa next to it etc so again it makes sense in the room and is almost part of a 'wall' rather than randomly plonked there.

Thanks both of you, some good ideas.

For the one by the entrance, as there is a large cupboard next to it I did wonder about turning it into a small coat/shoe cupboard, integrating part of the pillar. That would also create an entrance hall type thing. It would reduce the light though and take away the impression of space as you come into the flat.

Another option would be to build a low set of cupboards that integrate the pillar.

I agree that square would be much nicer than round! And if it could be a tad smaller that would be good! lol

I like the idea of putting furniture right up against it, I hadn't thought of that.

What about a glass block wall from the pillar to the wall next to your front door? That way you create an entrance without blocking light.

I ABSOLUTELY am in love with your property! I love the pillars too and wouldnt change them !
The fact that theyre round helps break up the space alongside all the straight clean lines etc.

Love them!

I would definitely box them in so that you can put a console table against them and hang a picture.

There's not much you can do with them otherwise

I would square them off firstly. I think square pillars would look better with the other straight lines in the room (ceiling beams etc).

Then I would make feature shelves out of them - I can't get a pic to work but google 'pillars with shelves' (original huh?) and there are some fantastic, lovely looking creations - with artistically placed box shelves or graduating wrap around shelves.

I agree box them square then create built in storage with pillar as side upright

They look excessively large.
I wonder if the actual supporting column underneath is square and they've been clad to make them round as a design feature.

I love that place, I think the columns are okay. You will have so much light with those big windows. I personally wouldn't square or decorate. Or the most decor I'd do is (book) shelves around the one by the window.

Do you have a floorplan - might help with ideas for integrating the pillars.

I personally would not box them in or add shelves. Adding some simple detailing to the top and maybe bottom of each might make them more classical looking. I think once you have furniture in the pillars will stand out much less.

Oooh detailling at the top and bottom is a nice idea.

I don't think the pillars are smaller and boxed in. They feel very solid (concrete maybe?)

We've just seen the original floor plan (flat was built in 1955) and the large room was actually 3 rooms originally...but the pillars weren't ever incorporated into a wall which I find a bit odd! I do know that the building was designed by a well-known architect (do not ask me who, I didn't note the name!) and I think he did a fab job with the ceiling but the pillars..!!!!

Boxing them out is a good idea, it would match the modern straight-edged look of the rest of the room. However, this could be a tricky job, in this case like minipie said, you could add some coving detail around the top and bottom for a subtle finish.

You could always create a statement piece with it, for example adding small shelves and place some lovely little accents like pictures or ornaments.

Love the idea of adding storage around the pillar!

Grow some plants up them?

They do look large and are likely to be square sections behind their current boarding. Please do some research though before removing the boarding - the boarding may well be providing the fire protection to the structural columns behind it. If it is removed you may be compromising not only your own flat but the whole building structure.

I wonder if you could look on a house selling site at photos of other apartments in the same block to see if they have the same and what they have done with the pillars??
Or get friendly quickly with your neighbours and ask them

For what it's worth, I love them. I think your flat looks beautiful. Really doing anything to them would make them more obvious in my opinion. Once you've got your furniture, pictures etc in I bet you notice them less too.

Thanks everyone.

I think getting to know the neighbours would be a good way to go...except from experience that doesn't happen much here.

We'll have to wait and see once we actually get the flat (buying process takes at least 3 months here). At first I was all over pinterest etc. but now I'm thinking we need to live in it for a while before doing anything. The flat is 50% bigger than our current one so we'll be floating around with minimal furniture for a long time I think.