Oh no that does not work...build the archway with the rustic wood will look beautiful.

Do you mean use rustic boards in place of the white trim boards or just remove the the column boards All together?

Remove the white columns and replace with rustic boards.

I don't know...I kind of think you may be able to get away with it here...

It does depend on a lot, like the style you want to achieve and the flooring...

See the image at the top of this discussion . . . don't do that. Go to several barns and see how they handled it. You don't need to necessarily copy them, but you can get inspiration.

Thank you all. I wanted the beams highlighted and for them to appear as if we have exposed them rather than installed them. I didn't want the columns to draw so much attention. It's the transition which I am struggling. The floors are white oak and they will be oiled with linseed leaving as natural and raw as possible. The walls are only primed here and will be much lighter than shown. I was concerned the side columns being hewn would be dark or would close in the open feel.

I wouldn't do columns at all, but rather just finish with drywall like a regular wall if you want the look of it being like you just exposed the beams. Here is a hard to see picture.

https://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/nashville-parade-of-homes-english-tudor009.jpg

Too big/fat, they don't work. At all!!! sorry. At the very least, remove the heavy top trim entirely, and paint them the wall color. Or remove and replace with good old drywall scaled back in proportion . But I would not be afraid of a rustic match to the beam. Open........is open. You won't have changed the opening in inches.

I didn't want the columns to draw so much attention.

I think something like this is your best bet, for looking like the beams were exposed, rather than installed:

Details will be your friend here. Notice the intersection of beams in the top left corner, as well as the wall texture and simple trim.

I like the second beam back in your original photo, with no columns and no rustic wood framing -- just the beam, like it was there structurally. Leave them that way.

Thank you all this has been a huge help! We are ripping off and trying both ways - drywall (floating) and with barn board just on inside of opening.

As others have said, the rustic "beam" and the more refined "columns" simply don't work together.

And in your photo, the beam and column(s)? in the background are completely wrong. Beams need a column on each end to visually make sense. And...the beam sits on top of the column. It doesn't frame into the side of the column. Perhaps the finish carpenter didn't complete that work?

Correct. Background beam is only installed, no trim work yet. We are literally in process. Don't want to move forward until we solve, so he tacked up the first set of columns so we could get an idea.

After reading the look you are trying to achieve “ exposed beams” just keep top beam and keep drywall painted down sides of opening..so they appear to be exposed like in this image shown above

Here's a variation of the solution in ODD's image:

Mark are you being sarcastic? Why...this homeowner is asking for constructive suggestions...

Okay that helps, KT. I think the finished wood trim won't work here as it seems you're going more farmhouse...

I also (just personal preference here) wouldn't do beams (or faux beams) as "supports". I would leave it at the drywall. You could add simple matching corbels to finish of the corner like this (but the other direction, obviously)

I like the brick, also...(again, obviously it would be on the ends only)

Just food for thought...

Okay, forget the metal pipe but do the rest.

Home Interiors you'll have to forgive Mark. He's just learning how to draw. In fact in another thread, he did clouds for only the second time.

I love the tip toe idea, I need a chuckle as we've been under construction for over a year now. We are putting up a antique board next but the drywall option is where I'm leaning now.

Wait until I learn how to use colored pencils.

Everyone, hide the Magic Markers...

Love the corbel as well!

Wait until I learn how to use colored pencils.

Make sure to pick up my book so you can practice step by step. It's available on Amazon. ;)

"Wait until I learn how to use colored pencils."

Where are the clouds?