I could also wrap the beams and columns in sheet rock, and paint them to try to make them disappear.

I like the framing affect of the columns and beam in the second pic. If the opening size and beam dimensions don't change whether solid or wrapped, I'd choose solid.

Dan, the opening size does not change depending on solid v wrapped. Thanks for your weigh in. Would you remove the trim from the rest of the room?

I feel the mantle mass and the proposed beam/columns compliment each other enough to be seperate from the window trim size and room trim.

I would remove all that horizontal stained trim. Someone added that to decorate or add interest to the walls, but for me, it just adds visual clutter and horizontal lines that do not need to be highlighted.

Thanks Chiapa. I agree that that trim was never my favorite, but it’s all over the house so it’s hard to know where to start/stop. So this is a kitchen remodel that is now becoming a first floor remodel! The reclaimed wood would intentionally match the fireplace mantle, so it wouldn’t be completely random

Just paint out the trim. Even if you don't quite match the wall paint, a slightly lighter or darker color will look good. The trim will be far less noticeable and a subtle hint of trim with a slightly lighter or darker color will look intentional. If you paint the existing trim, you can easily find trim of the same size to put on your new beam.

I like the AI picture, but those pictures are always great --- they fix the lighting, remove inconvenient furniture (as in part of the sectional) and redid your kitchen entirely. It also made your mantle match the beam, which it doesn't in real life.

Thanks Kitchen Place! I think that’s what we’re going to do. Add in a big beam and wrap it with reclaimed wood so it matches/coordinates with the mantle. And I’ve decided (for now) to only have the horizontal beam exposed. The beam will disappear into the walls on either side.
And for now I’m planning to remove the trim from the rest of the living room and paint whatever is under it the color of the walls. I think this will end up visually opening up the space.

Sigrid: I agree AI has a very forgiving and romantic lense! But that actually is a mock up (with some AI liberties) of our new kitchen. And the hope is that the beam does match the mantle. Painting the trim v removing the trim hopefully would have the same visual outcome: no trim!

I'm not crazy about AI images. The stairs just disappeared and stairs don't do that in real life. Nor does the ceiling light.

I'd suggest speaking with an experienced framer who has a good working relationship with the local AHJ.

All that cheap looking trim needs to go or at least be painted like the walls and that new beam needs to not be a design elemnt but best to also be as invisible as possible . Let the mantel be the star . Sorry AI sucks at design .I also would say a huge declutter would make all those spaces look better.

I'll have to be the lone voice here. The distressed timber header looks good unto itself, and the representation of the kitchen, but will not fit with the overall house in mind. Just because the mantel compliments the stacked stone, doesn't mean a lone header has to match. It won't match anything else in the house, including all the window/baseboard/wall trim, nor the concept of the design and finishes both inside and (assuming) outside.

Even removing some/all of the wall trim, that is a big endeavor, especially when you view other pictures not included in this thread, and I don't know where conflicts will arise. This house is peak architect design from the late 70s-80s. The distressed timber is a representation of structures much older and in a different style.

Thanks for the feedback. I agree the house needs a huge declutter—everything that was in the entry, powder, laundry room and kitchen is all over the house now during the renovation. It will feel good to clear everything out in a few months.
The plan now is to install an engineered beam (12”x 6”) wrapped in reclaimed wood above the kitchen entrance. It’s the most efficient (saves time and money) and structurally sound option. And then I plan to remove the fir trim in the adjacent living room. Wish me luck!

here is an update! the half wall is down! so now i really need to decide what to do with that new beam. i can either paint it to make it go away, or wrap it to make it a design element. if i wrap, ill remove the trim above.

I never noticed the window muntin design before. These, along with the wall trimwork carrying around the house, the color of wood stain/grain/finish, etc, all do not play well with a rustic, distressed beam isolated here.

I cannot tell what the white jamb is, if it's a casing, but it looks like you are testing painting the chair rail. So if it's white casing that doesn't work with a distressed beam.

I don't know your plans for the rest of the existing house millwork, but whatever you do here should fit that same design language. You can always drywall it and come back later if you are not sure yet.

Don't muddle up the space with a bunch of disparate elements that do not work together to make a cohesive home.

thanks both. Those white stripes on the curtain wall that look like a chair rails have been there since we moved in 10 years ago. the previous owner moved the trim that was there and left the white wall behind it. It could be fixed easily when we paint the kitchen as a touchup. I think you’re right that it’s best to drywall this beam and paint it the same color as the wall so it blends in. I just wanted to explore the thought of matching it with the mantle, since now would be the time to do it. But messing with the trim could lead to the slippery slope of not knowing twhen to stop!

here’s a mock up of the 2 options:

1. leave the existing trim, paint the beam to match the wall color (disappear)
2. remove the existing trim, wrap the beam to match the fireplace mantle (make it pop)