I think the room is wonderful. I would install art on those columns and change the furniture, rug, lamp, etc. We need more photos of all of it; take more pix and comment here to upload them by clicking the photo icon below the comment box.

I kinda love this room, the only thing I’d consider doing is maybe updating the fireplace

This room is great. Is there something particular about it that bothers you? What is they vibe or style you are hoping to achieve? Other than new decor and a fireplace renovation, I think it looks great.

Hi all! first off, thank you for your time with looking at this living room:) I very much appreciate everyones input since "this design and renovation gig" is not my "thing"!

grapefruit1_ar, I was considering making the whole ceiling one level and removing the columns to make it more of an open concept living. My husband is also 6' so raising the ceiling height would make him feel like he was in a bigger open space. What are your thoughts? Too much trouble? Remove the beams and paint?

decoenthusiaste, I will upload more photos for you. Overall I would like to achieve a cooler/brighter tone to the room since there is not much natural light entering this space. Thank you for the ideas of decor and updating furniture etc.

gl0ssy, would you put a white washed brick fireplace and redo the built-ins on the side? or would you consider a stucco fireplace?

Kendrah, My husband and I are looking to brighten up the place with cooler tones since there is not much natural light entering the room. What bothers me the most are the big brick columns. We have 3 small children and sometimes it is hard to see around those things when we are all in that space. I was wondering if anyone knew how big an undertaking it would be to remove them or if they look good as is?

in the kitchen all i would really like to do is change the backsplash and update the vent hood

Its beautiful. It goes with your kitchen and what can be seen of the other parts of your house. I wouldnt do a thing to it, except new decor, and maybe new paint, if it needs it. It is refreshing to see a house with as much character as yours has. So many have been remodeled and have lost every bit of their charm. I do like that your couches add some needed color and brightness, but, the style of them seems very dated to me.

I was considering painting the interior walls baby fawn or navajo white. Any suggestions with these colors? There is not much natural light entering these areas if that helps.

Are the brick columns actually disguising supporting columns? Because if yes, then yes this would be a significant undertaking (both work and money wise). As is rerouting duct work etc, especially as there is a second story above. I think the house is lovely as is. You don’t need to see your kids every second and being behind a column is not a big deal - I grew up in homes with more segmented rooms and my siblings and I all emerged out of childhood quite successfully ;)

If you really want higher ceilings and more open space you are likely better off starting by buying a completely different home.

What is the exterior style of your home? I get the feeling of a Louisiana raised house with the columns being support members, rather than just decorative. I'm curious to see the sitting area behind your large sofa. Can the two areas be combined for a more open design? The columns give enough of a blocked feeling, so I think opening up the furniture arrangement may help. You can do that with the current pieces to determine what new furniture is needed for optimal circulation and the best look. I don't think you really want to tackle removing the duct work unless you plan to replace your HVAC with a ductless mini-split system. I assume the upstairs vents are on the floor and are part of this duct system.

It's a lovely space!!! Don't touch it and mess it up! Children do not need to be seen at all times, assuming they are not infants. If they are, then use a playpen!

laurenlash32 I think stucco would look great with a nice wood mantle to go with the flow of the rest of the room and beams but once you do that it may give it too modern of a feel and you may have to redo the built-ins. More brick might make it look a little too busy. It all depends on what you’d like to see the space look like. I have a fully open concept main living/dining and I wish I had a bit more division. I think your place is gorgeous

Thank you cat_ky! I so appreciate your input with your feeling of seeing character here:) I may just leave those brick columns as they are!

lhutch13 I didn't realize it may be more expensive in the long run in the heating/cooling department! That would be really messy! Thank you for that advice because that is something I would not have known.

Rai Kai the columns are not support columns except one holds a return air vent. I will show you a picture of the land that it is on... that is the main reason we are considering the buy. But you are SO RIGHT. We need to decide if open concept and higher ceilings are a make or break thing for us, if so, we would be better off buying a completely different home

brikp4 I have loved all of your adivce! thank you so much. I think you are on tract with the style/look i am trying to achieve. Talking with you makes me feel like it can actually be accomplished!

decoenthusiaste, It is a LA style home. The columns are not structural, however, there is a return air vent in one of them. I will send a picture of the sitting room behind the couches. It is seperated by the columns and by the ceiling drop down. I would love your thoughts on combining those two rooms and if that would be possible?

I agree that the ceilings are beautiful, unique, and cozy. You could really incorporate them into a very interesting modern farmhouse look. However, A. I really feel for your husband who is 6 feet tall, and B. I think the beams contribute to the congested feeling of this space.

The beams, the columns, the trim, the multiple levels of tray ceilings, and lighting fixtures trapped between the lanes of beams make this space feel jumbled and confined. There are many things you can do to make this space feel more streamlined, open, and airy without removing columns. (Though I would still explore what is inside those columns and why they were added to this house. It looks like the recessed and tray ceilings were there before the columns because the columns so strangely protrude out into the recessed areas.

1. Remove the beams

Check to be sure they are not structural. Yes, they are beautiful, but they really confine the space and narrow the lighting. They would be great in another house but not in this one. If you must keep them, paint them the same color as the ceiling and walls to help them disappear. Again, they are beautiful, but not in a room with a low ceiling, 4 brick columns and a tall guy.

2. Consider recessed lighting.

These round light fixtures are awkward to look at and bring the height of the ceiling down when you want it to feel more vast and open.

3. Remove and reduce as much ceiling trim as possible.

There is way too much trim happening here: odd trim spanning opening to dining room. The trim at column tops are over the top, and trim around the columns at the front door overlaps oddly with the tray ceiling. There may be some areas where trim cannot be moved. In those areas reduce it's appearance: Replace with a trim that has fewer ridges, a lower profile that protrudes less from the wall, and paint it the same white as the walls and ceiling.

4. Consider switching layout

How do you all spend your time together? Do you eat at the table a lot or more so at a counter? When you eat at the table is it dark out? Do you spend time together in a formal living room setting? Do you need an area to play with toys? Does much TV watching happen nearby when someone is in the kitchen? I don't understand the layout here or your usage needs, but for the sake of your husband's height and potentially maximizing light, can you make the current dining room be more of a living room / family room space and put the dining room where the current sofas are? If the dining room with all of those open windows is not being heavily utilized during daytime hours, then you are not utilizing the sunniest part of this first floor.

I think we all thought you lived here. Perhaps you should move on in you're looking for the perfect home.

Oh, wait, you don't live here yet? I'd move on in your search unless there are a serious list of pro's in this home that you just are not finding anywhere else.

It is a very beautiful home! I like the uniqueness of the columns and ceiling. I prefer cozy, so I greatly dislike high ceilings. We have two homes. Our main home has 8 foot ceilings. Our condo has high ceilings that take away from having charm and ease of Maintenance .

Kendrah, yes, we do not live here yet. We have been looking around this area for land in the area that we desire to be in (close to schools, grocery, church etc) and this fits that to a T. We have looked at countless other homes (new builds and older; we have also highly considered building and talked to 3 builders) and just haven't found what we are looking for within our price range.

I have also talked to an interior designer and contractor about this home too. You are SO ON POINT with what they have also suggested if we decide to make an offer on this home.

You have made some other observations that others have missed out such as removing/replacing the crown molding around the columns.

I am hesitant only because I can't see the finished product in my mind like you and other gifted individuals are in this area.

Thank you all for your help in helping me see this a little differently. It is a big decision for our family of 5 and I am just trying to get as much advice as I possibly can.

Lauren, I am so glad that this home fits so many of your criteria. I know what a long house hunt is like. (We looked at 25 before we found ours!) If this home is really a strong consideration, is it worth investing some money to help make up you mind by:

1. Hiring a structural engineer to look at the place

A good structural engineer should be able to tell you more about potential removal of columns and joists. We paid to have one look at a house we were considering an offer on. It was money well spent even though we didn't end up wanting the house.

2. Hiring an interior designer to make images of the space

It shouldn't be too hard for your designer to make photoshopped images of what this space could look like incorporating the above suggestions. It would help you envision the suggestions and feel more confident (or less!) about the decision you are making.

3. Contractor bids

If the columns are not support, I'd start asking how much it would cost to remove them.

Was this once a single story home with a second story added?

How long has it been on the market and has the price dropped at all?