Jib Door and Interior Column Help

6 years ago

Hi all! My husband and I are going to be giving our den a makeover. As you can see, we have an interior column in a horrible part of the room - it's smack in the middle of the room and completely in the way of furniture configuration. We have a loft above it, as you can see in photo. We'd like to get rid of the column and we're looking for suggestions. We know this will involve ceiling beams, etc. but we're okay with that, as long as we can get rid of the column. The ladder to the loft is not ideal also, but we're assuming that will involve a lot more money and time to try to reconfigure that. Would love some suggestions!

Also, maybe I should do this in a separate post, but since it's the same space, I'll start with it here...our plan is to do millwork (flat panels) from floor to ceiling all around the room (ripping down that wainscoting that's there now). We'd like the essence of those closet doors to be hidden with the millwork. Should we get jib doors? And assuming we would need outswing doors? Just wondering what the best idea is since there will be a chair rail going across them to help accomplish the idea of the doors being "hidden."

Thanks!

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Comments (7)

graywings123
6 years ago
Do you need/use the walkway between the two upper parts of your house? Removing that may affect your beam project.

What is the purpose of the flat panel millwork? Maybe it's just the photos, but with all that upper level railing and spindles, more busywork on the lower level seems like too much.
aspiring_designer
Original Author
6 years ago
The walkway takes you to the other side of the loft. We like the aesthetic of how the millwork will look in the space. It won't be busy - simple boxes - above and below the chair rail.
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Lisa Dipiro
6 years ago
Can you put a proper stairs then that side where the couch is could be wall and the other side could be open railing? I would at least make that a safer way to get up and down from there?
aspiring_designer
Original Author
6 years ago
Hmm...we thought about changing the ladder situation. It all depends on cost. Thank you for your input!
Annie Deighnaugh
6 years ago
I suspect you're going to need a steel beam or glue lam to pick up the load without the center post in the room, so if you're going through that effort, now would be the time to address the stair situation. Rather than a run of stairs, I'd consider a circular staircase just because of how much room a full stair takes up.

It would be helpful to see the other side of the room where the walkway connects to...is there a better place to locate the stairs on that side?

Seems to me you won't be better off if you eliminate the post but are still stuck with stairs or ladder in the middle of the room.
aspiring_designer
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Annie. Definitely a valid point with addressing the ladder also. It may come down to cost and what the options are. we thought about a circular staircase but figured we’d still be stuck with an obstacle in the middle of the room. we We’re thinking maybe a drop down ladder from the ceiling placed under the other side of the loft. The access panel possible in the ceiling in the photo below? That’s the other side of the room.
Annie Deighnaugh
6 years ago
Looks like you have a solid wall on the other side of the room where you could put a circular stair up to the walkway and get it out of the middle of the room.