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Design Dilemma
sunnemac

What should I do with this?

14 years ago
The eating area is on one side of the beam and my small den is on the other. I was hoping the things on it would help give an idea of how much space I am working with.
Featured Answer
  • 14 years ago
    last modified: 14 years ago
    I don't think the beam is the problem but you didn't explain what it is your trying to accomplish. If it is keeping the eye from going up, consider the stark contrast the ceiling fan blades cause that is drawing the eye up. Then to the right of the beam, is that a door with molding or a white framed picture/mirror? If it isn't a door, move it to prevent the eye being drawn up. If it is a door consider mounting dark framed photos/art/deep floating shelf to the left of what looks like a light switch. They should be large enough for the wall and mounted side by side in that space with no more than 6 inches in between. I would also remove the white sheer looking curtain and replace with a darker tone, heavier fabric, or nice patterned curtain.

    I honestly think in the partial photo you supplied, our eye is naturally drawn up because there is no area of interest below. A transom would be great but costly, but effective if you are trying to control air flow, cooking smells, noise etc. Otherwise, a beautiful transom will cause us all to look up even more. On the flip side, if you remove that beam, this area will now lack any feeling of separation and also cause "hallway" or tunnel vision.

    If you want the eyes to stay level, then add focal points, accent splashes of color and textures :)

    Comments (27)

    • PRO
      14 years ago
      I would consider removing the beam. It does not look structual because the rafters (ceiling joist) are vaulted, therefore the bearing point is the ridge. Have a carpenter check on this before you do anything. There may be wires inside. I would make a hole in the top to verify this. Other than that you can frame it in or install a transom.
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      I would remove the accessories from the beam. Is there also a cabinet and countertop dividing the areas? You could put a folding screen between the two areas. Or shutters. Or a wall. It's hard to know what's going on without a picture of the lower area.

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    • 14 years ago
      last modified: 14 years ago
      What about hanging stained glass in this space.
    • 14 years ago
      Better to ignore than dot with little items and faux plants. If you can't remove it, find a theme and go overboard with it so it looks deliberate. Mexican pottery, country baskets, sailing/beach paraphenalia...
    • 14 years ago
      take the beam out
    • 14 years ago
      I like the idea of the transom - would let light through but still separate the areas.
    • 14 years ago
      Get the walls you want to show off with wall decals.
      http://quotethewalls.com/
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      Isn't design fun! Everyone has a different idea and they're all possibilities.
    • 14 years ago
      More details about the stain glass please. Framed in different shapes?
    • 14 years ago
      I think putting anything up there is a problem, why draw the eye up? Focus the eye down at eye level. If you want to create a separation; screens or fabric are dramatic and a perfect solution.
    • 14 years ago
      Center a European Skull Mount of a whitetail deer or some other antered animal-they're surprisingly formal and add an air of sophistication while suggesting it's meal time!
    • 14 years ago
      for starters don't put anything on the beam. Leave it alone. Use another elements ( materials, textures, lighting ) on the two spaces you have below. Dont use this nasty beam as a space divider. Nastayyy....
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      First I'd do an exploratory to see if any HVAC is in there - being that you have a vaulted ceiling, the builder may have run these through this beam. If it is HVAC, then you need to address the beam and either a). hide it by simply ignoring it by painting it wall colour like it is now, or b). highlighting it by making it look like a beam. In that case I'd clad it with rough cedar wood, stained a dark stain colour to match either your floors or cabinetry.

      In either case, I'd add uplights to accent your ceiling height, I'd use Maxim Elite Star 24 Flex Lighting for an overall glow. With this type of lighting, you only need to have an electrician get power up to one end or the other. The light will give an ambient glow to the space that will really add a beautiful up light to the space. Good Luck!
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      Wish we had a few more photo's - determine your rooms and running theme and do as decoE said - Go for it! Vases and Art pieces in groups or all the way across - arrange it on the counter below then tranfer to beam - you'll know if it works first couple of tries - then if its a no - the light show that others have encouraged -
    • 14 years ago
      Don't clutter it with a number of small items! Pick one large item such as an old bike, sled, a canoe even! Find something that says WOW when people look up not clutter that is covered in dust!
    • 14 years ago
      If the ceiling were painted the same color as the walls, the beam wouldn't stand out so much.
    • 14 years ago
      Get a contractor or architect to look at it and make sure it is not a buttressing beam that is pulling the vault inward. If you send more pictures then folks will be able to provide more "what to do's"
    • 14 years ago
      I'd leave the beam, remove the plant and emphasize it with a bright color of paint!
    • 14 years ago
      I am with the crowd that says take down the junk and do nothing. There is nothing wrong with it. We have many of these things in our house. Fake ivy baskets will just become dust and cobweb magnets, especially near vents and ceiling fans
    • 14 years ago
      I say take it down if possible. If not, this may be a crazy idea but if you painted it white like the ceiling it wouldn't stand out against it, that's a cheap fix. But I'm not quite sure if then you should surround the ends of it at the walls with some sm trimwork to separate it from the wall or what. That's if you want it to disappear. If you're wanting to highlight it then I'd go with the idea of one large interesting piece than a bunch of little things but for sure no fake plants. I like the stained glass idea but for that space you'd need at least three or four large coordinating panels of it hanging down for it to look nice. I'd think the same size and shape. I could see that being very expensive. But actually it really doesn't look that bad. I'd probably just leave it and maybe just keep it bare. Like the ideas about the lights mentioned above though. Good luck.
    • 14 years ago
      If you don't want it to break up the lines & draw the eyes up, paint it white - it'll blend in with the ceiling.
    • 14 years ago
      last modified: 14 years ago
      Remove it.
    • 14 years ago
      Really need more pics of what's down below to make any suggestions.
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      We had the same challenge exactly. We painted the beam the same color as ceiling and it disappeared completely. Our walls are a gold yelo color and the ceiling is a soft white. We were concerned the white on the beam would stand out but instead it disappeared. A very inexpensive fix.
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      I would paint the ceiling and the walls the same color--called "wrapping". If you love art--this would be a great place to step out and do something very creative with your style of art preference. Such as, hang it from the ceiling. Also, depends on what the rest of the house looks like. You could create the piece of art on any medium--roller shade, glass or canvas.
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      I agree with Christine, In several home I have built with vaulted ceilings, a buttress or tie back was required. I would need to see a better floor plan to give my assessment, but go slow on demolition. What happens is when a wall is very tall and long it will require something similar to that beam to keep it from bowing in or out. In high wind and earthquake areas or in your case high snow load areas it provided additional strength to the wall.
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