Ironwood Builders.. what would your ideas be as far as the supports? I welcome any ideas.

Wow, just posted an extremely long reply from my phone...and lost it! Hang in there! I'll try again later today!

So...what I said was, Best I can do right now, straight from the hip, is a column at the wall, each side of the fireplace, then a column under the third beam. These four columns carry carry beams that support the center beam as well. Spacing off the fireplace is important because in between the columns I see colonial style benches to create an inglenook. How the columns are supported below the existing floor needs to be thought through too, but once the load path is complete I see no issues in picking up the load....with the caveat that a licensed structural engineer signs off.

The engineer will also need to be involved in the grading of the salvaged barn beams that are used to match, as closely as possible, the existing beams. Most inspectors won't approve unrated/unstamped salvage materials for structural work. Independent material graders can be hired to make that happen.

Moving forward, I hope you look through the houzz "find local pros" listing for an architect and contractor in your area. If you decide to do without the services of a design professional, the contractor you hire will need to be very sensitive to the historic nature of the home and be able to communicate not just about nuts and bolts, but about the spirit of the house and the design sensitivity you, the owner, bring to the table.

Please keep me in the loop as you make progress. I will try to search out appropriate inglenook and colonial bench pictures, if that appeals to you. Hope this helps!

Hi Sarah: Congratulations on your new old home! How exciting! While I am not qualified to address your structural issues - I can suggest ideas on color and mood. You may enjoy some of my historic rooms on our website under specialty designs. I just completed a quirky 1930's executive apartment - I will be posting soon that include a vintage mantel. If you can share more overall photographs of room like additional elevations, windows, floor plan, passageways into this space, ceiling, floor (without rug) etc. That would be helpful... Best, Addie

Sarah, I've placed some photos from the houzz archives that start to fill in the blanks of my inglenook idea. Please head over to my profile and review the inglenook ideabook I've started. There is a kitchen there that really speaks...to me at least, about the combination of old and new that I envisioned for the nook. The actual nook pictures tend to be too modern and clean for the fireplace, for the beams. There are some benches there as well. But, to put it into context, I went back in my head to the tavern that sat on the post road in New Hampshire...the inglenook was the close to the fire, coveted spot, with its long benches and the cast iron pot, loaded with stew, hanging from a chain just inside the fireplace.

Beyond the back of the benches, set just a few feet either side of that beautiful fireplace, shelves loaded with books below the windows hold the collection of tankards used by the innkeeper....

Just a bit of fantasy....I sometimes need to dream too.

If you have problems accessing my ideabook, let me know, I'll work on getting them to you in some other fashion.

Thank you both for posting! It has taken me a few days to get back on here but I am going to talk with the hubby about your ideas... as well as take a look at your ideabooks!

Let me know how it goes!