cover that column with the kitchen wood in slatted design but widen it....it is too skinny holding up the ceiling....

In one spot, the people who opened up my house before me, just have a covered beam like you're showing, but at the entrance from the foyer to the great room there are 1/2 walls with columns, to accentuate them.

In the 3rd picture, is that baseboard heating between the beams? Is there a wall there, or just the beams?

home depot in their mill work dept carries a "cedar " wrap that can be painted for appro "$80.00 per pole . easy to install

I would add molding at the bottom and possibly crown molding on top and leave it. I think trying to make it into something its not just adds more attention to it. I am from the south and we have two story living rooms and we always have a support beam some where :)

There is no wall, just two beams... and a heating unit on the bottom.

I agree with Stacey. Here is what I added to our once plain columns.

Here is a better photo of the four columns:

I would make them a bit bigger and paint them white, with white baseboard and white crown moulding. You have lots of beautiful wood so don't over do it by adding wood columns . The while will add a bit of drama to the room. Good luck.
Darla Blake, ASID, CID
Unique & Chic Interiors

Now that the room is opened up, does the baseboard heat need to stay? I'd make the columns a bit bigger also, painted white, beef up the base moulding but no crown moulding. Keep it clean like the soffit in the kitchen area.

It's odd to have the baseboard still in place between the two columns. Why was this left as is?
Anyway here are some ideas for you. Since you don't want more wood you should consider alternative materials. The Kitchen has some elements you could draw on. Finish the raw columns in sheetrock.
Add base moldings to match the existing base in the neighboring rooms. Install crown moldings in a similar style but "beefier" than the base. Now you can wrap the columns in; 1. Copper like the hood in the Kitchen. 2. Paint to match the walls. 3. Textured vinyl paper one or two shades deeper than your walls.
Another concept; Construct a screen using birch plywood. Select a pattern that compliments the simplicity of you Kitchen cabinets and your furniture. Rectangular cut outs about 28" long x 3" high would echoe the Kit. shelves. Install between the columns where your baseboard is located. This can run from floor to ceiling anchored behind the baseboard, or, stop shy of the floor and ceiling by 12".
Here's my favorite; Before you sheetrock the two bare columns have an electrician install two elec. boxes at about 6' off the floor. Now sheetrock with trim at base and ceiling. Paint columns as you like.
Install a pair of sconces so that you now have lighting on the Dining Room side.
Crazy as this sounds, I'd take it further.......Construct an open bookcase (no back) and install between the lit columns above the baseboard about 12"-18". Line the shelves of this room divider with books, objects. Move the three bookcases from the Living Room and replace with a sofa or loveseat.

My guess is that having baseboard heat along the floor between 2 freestanding columns is not only a tripping hazard, but a building code violation as well.

The original idea was to build a low shelf between the two columns but we are now
considering removing it.

Thank you all so much for your great ideas!

Here is the final result if anyone is interested... we took out the heating unit and fourth post and wrapped one into the wall... I think we will paint them the wall color (warm grey)...

Looks great!