Columns are an elegant, classic way to seperate a dining room from other living spaces.
Columns are a great way to add architectural detail to your dining room without breaking the bank. They are also a structural necessity in many dining rooms to formally separate the space from living and kitchen areas. Columns are cost effective and can be modified in color and design to enhance any space. You can replace expensive decor and makeshift separators with sturdy, elegant columns in little time.
Instructions
1. Locate an archway or entryway within an open floor plan that separates the dining room from the living room or kitchen. Stay within the perimeter of the dining room and avoid placing the columns in the actual room.
2. Arrange the location to accommodate two columns. Ensure that both spots are aligned with each other. Measure the spacing between the columns themselves and between the walls for accuracy.
3. Determine the height of the columns. Cut the medium-density fiberboard (MDF) sides, face and cleat to the desired length. Secure the edge of the MDF face to the MDF sides with brad nails.
4. Cut the fluted molding to the desired length to cover the face. The fluted molding may cover the entire face or its edge, depending on the decorative style. Cut the crown molding to the same width as the fluted molding. The crown molding will be placed on top of the column once it is erected. Glue the back of the fluted molding, then adhere it flush with the bottom of the MDF. Attach the material with brad nails.
5. Place the baseboard over the bottom of the column. Mark where to cut the board with a pencil. Create a 45-degree angle miter cut toward the front. Cut a 45-degree angle at the ends of the baseboard sides to connect to the face piece. Create a flat cut to attach the baseboard end to the MDF pieces. Repeat the process for the opposite side. Attach all of the pieces with nails.
6. Check to see if a baseboard already exists on the wall where the column will go. Cut out an area equivalent to the width of the baseboard with a jigsaw.
7. Cut an MDF cleat to the desired length and attach it with countersink screws where the column will go. Attach the cleat to studs rather than the drywall. Install the column over the cleat and adhere it with 2-inch brads from the side. Cut the crown-molding piece and glue it to the top of the column. Secure the molding with brad nails.
8. Conceal nail holes, scratches and seams with caulking. Paint columns to the desired color with gloss or semi-gloss once dry.
Tags: dining room, fluted molding, brad nails, desired length, with brad, with brad nails