My first thought was to remove them for an updated look, however, it really depends on the rest of of the home and updates you are making

I would remove them and extend the opening to the outer edges of your top casing. I really think the pillars date the house and detract from the flow between rooms.

I am not liking those. Maybe if they were square, however yours do not look square.

Dust collectors

I think it would be best to take them out. My reasonings behind it are (so you can win with your husband ;) ) because columns look best with matching pairs and since you took then other ones out, they look out of place. Also because columns can have an effect of power and in a dinning room it is better to make it an inviting space and airy rather than intimidating. Here's an article on columns if your husband still is not budging ( https://www.thoughtco.com/another-look-at-types-of-columns-177524). Good luck! :)

Remove them and make opening a mirror of what you have done....this way the dining room will be a showstopper.

I believe that is a LOAD bearing wall!!! U need an engineer!

I'd leave them. I think the foyer needs the enclosure, and so does the dining room. When you are sitting in the dining room, it will make the room feel cozier if there is a visual break between it and the foyer. That big, gaping hole opening to the foyer will spoil the dining space.

OTOH, that's unlikely a load bearing wall, because it doesn't continue through the other side of the corner of the wall.

Remove.

you may remove the pillars for you to have more space or make the pillars smaller

Pretty sure the load is being carried by the 2' ends of the wall, highly doubt the header starts and ends directly above a decorative column.

No need for an engineer, a competent carpenter can see this.

Another vote to remove!

Tarts it is a bearing wall, the columns are not bearing anything but the wall is bearing a roof load.

I'd remove them they date the house and more to clean

I would replace them with proper builtins. Both of the other options look cheap. No pillars--definitely cheap. Pillars--trying to look more expensive than it is.

We have already had an engineer look at them. We can remove pillars and half walls but cannot remove any more of the wall. Thanks so much for all your thoughts!

I would just wall up that side. I don't think you need to enter the dining room from the foyer. The dining room will be easier to decorate and use with the additional wall.

Thank you suzyq53, we had thought of that, however the rest of the house is very open, so afraid it would look weird having it closed off in a grand foyer/the rest of the house. Here's some more pics of the layout

Gotcha! Yikes more pillars. I'd consider painting the pitched ceiling a much lighter version of the wall color if its staying. The stark white is kind of jarring with the gray and wood beams. Also maybe just wall in the pillars to reduce the doorway and eliminate the angled corner in the family room.

We will be having the downstairs painted a very light grey... probably either Repose or agreeable grey by SW

Thank you er612! That picture definitely helps!! Miller Rey, I'm curious what you mean by built ins?

That's one version of what the pillars were a cheap reference to.

Modern reimperpretations or redoing.

That house would make me kill myself. Need. Doors.

Nope. Remove and make the opening larger like you did with the other room.

That pillar thing is really ....."dated "

I think a solid wall there like Suzyq53 mentioned. Just because the rest of the house is so open like you said. No need to see into the kitchen or every other room from the front door. Make a stopping point for the eye and a more welcoming foyer wall. That's what I would do...

Rip them out, it looks like a Roman Bath.

You could wall over the columns/openings as a compromise.

I feel arches would look great or close the one in near door. Or add glass door.

I like happleg's idea of adding glass. French doors might solve the dilemma. They still offer a separation, but openness.

Love the French door idea still lets light in but gives separation

Ditto on the french doors!

No pillars what so ever!

beautiful full openings or french doors

Maybe its the picture, but the opening where you removed the half pillars it looks like it has a slight sag. Before you remove anything like that you should check first if this pillars there not supporting the above load and placed there to break up the span.

Remove 'em they look weird! ;)

Do you have room to do pocket doors off the foyer to the dining room?

You should give him his way so you can use it as a chip for later bargaining.

Haha Ryan Olivieri!

I like the French door idea!

Good contractors make good marital counselors

Nobody sees more couple fights

The only thing more trendy (and much worse) than pillar removal is open concept. Eeech.

Or white Shaker style doors and Gray tops or walls, long live raised panel, arched or eyebrow stained woo.HGTV has made everyone a designer.

There is still enough separation without the columns and half walls.