Looking for design-forward solutions to correct a column and pony wall

7 days ago

Looking for design-forward solutions to correct a column and pony wall termination issue after a kitchen renovation.During a kitchen remodel, one wall was removed and another was opened. At the end of the sink run there is a structural support column that now faces directly into the living room.Once cabinetry and stone were installed, several finish issues became apparent:

The pony wall was not built high enough to meet the cabinet height, leaving a long, visible gap along the underside of the cabinets when viewed from the living room.
The support column is out of square and unevenly finished, making it visually prominent and unattractive from multiple angles.
The stone return and drywall termination at the column are misaligned, resulting in rough edges and inconsistent reveals beneath the stone.
Trim and moulding are currently being considered as a workaround, but they do not resolve the underlying alignment and proportion issues.
A light switch is currently located in the column and needs to be removed from the column entirely so the column can be finished cleanly and intentionally.

I’m looking for architectural solutions—not cosmetic patches—for:

Making the column look deliberate and well-proportioned from the living room side
The pony wall / under-stone termination meeds finishing so the cabinet run finishes cleanly
Advising whether the best approach is rebuilding, boxing out, or cladding, the column

I’m open to rebuilding or redesigning elements if that’s the correct solution. The goal is a finished result that looks purposeful and appropriate for an open kitchen–living space.Any insight or recommendations are appreciated

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Comments (4)

Karen Taylor
Original Author
7 days ago
3onthetree
7 days ago
- Column: I would be curious to know if there was room to fit an electrical box in a post without compromising the intergrity. A switch location that must be near there could go in the cabinet side or on front of the pony wall, if all else fails. Knowing what the switch is for helps to place it.

The bottom drywall flares out, the reason needs to be known. I would not encase with wood as it won't match the clean wall or soffit above. At worst case, another layer of drywall across the entire face of soffit to align plumb, or furr out as needed for a straight wall. Depending on the rest of the space up the steps, a wider column (10" or so) might be appropriate and also fit a gang of switches

- Backsplash: remove those, keep only the wall behind the stove.

- Pass-through gap: Just a finishing problem. Using a J-bead or zip bead for a clean line on the filler piece.

- Kitchen soffits: Appears were not coordinated with cabinet depth, and quite large gaps underneath. Not sure if you have a cornice/crown going on cabinets.
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Karen Taylor
Original Author
7 days ago
I dont know if they can remove the stone without damaging it. It is cristallo. It looks pretty from within the kitchen but looking at it from the living room is a mess. The end cabinet piece is being remade to the floor. The island will also be finished to the floor on the outside. They tried to get get by with plastic toe kicks. Ugh. I will have the electric box moved tonthe outside pony wall. That is a good idea, thank you. If that column can be framed in someway to the level of the stone. I keep asking the stone fabricator to come back to help remedy this, at least to finish it smooth, but no luck to date. The cabinet maker said they will donsomething tonthat end to make it look finished. They were just going to fill it in with caulking and i said no way. same with above the cabinet soffits. They are making molding for the soffit face, abive the wall cabinet to make it look asnifnit goes to the ceiling and around the refrigerator. The hood still needs to be installed…The column is killing me. 😝
Karen Taylor
Original Author
7 days ago
There is no reason for the flared bottom, the drywall work was poorly done. Sections appear to have been pieced together and built out with joint compound, leaving surfaces uneven and wavy. I had to ask the contractor to return four to five times before it reached even this level of smoothness, and I caught them painting over mud instead of using primer.

Rather than fixing it properly, he sent different unqualified workers and claimed the job was complete. Hard lesson learned.

I’m hoping the cabinet maker does a good job on the end cabinet, refrigerator molding, and soffits so I’m only left addressing the column. The stone and installation were a major investment.

Thank you for any suggestions. 🙏