Do you want to bring into the interior notes of sublimity, spirituality, aristocracy? Complement interior decoration columns. The result will surprise and delight you. Having applied columns at home once, you will never want to part with them again.
What functions does this interior element perform? What styles are used? What is it made from? Is it possible to use columns in small apartments? How can you "hide" a load-bearing column? An ambiguous design element raises many questions.
The attitude to the columns in the interior as to the elements of only the palace style is a thing of the past. Their use in the premises of home, office, public is becoming more widespread. And, not in vain. Columns in the interior are worthy to decorate our lives every day.
Support or decorative element
The ancient architects were extraordinarily skillful in the use of columns. They created magnificent grandiose colonnades of temples, public buildings, houses of the nobility, royal apartments.
Perhaps that is why for several millennia the history of architecture considered columns as interior and exterior elements of luxury and power.
Here lies not only the status rank, but also the meaning of self-awareness, self-esteem of the owner of the house. Try to stand next to some grandiose column, for example, the Winter Palace, or walk along the colonnade of the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg.
The classical column consists of three main parts - the base, the body and the capital. The base is the base of the column, when used as a support, the base carries a significant load. The body is a pillar that connects the top and bottom. capital - upper part classic version richly decorated.
Richly decorated columns look best in rooms with a high ceiling height - from 290 cm and above.
With the advent of lightweight polyurethane foam products, the use of columns as decorative design details has become possible in high-rise buildings, small apartments. Any column, even standing alone, "crushes" the surrounding space. With compositions of two or three columns, it is convenient to delimit the room, highlighting individual parts, while maintaining a sense of integrity.
Colonnades with a large number of elements are almost never used by modern architects, unless the design of the entire building requires it. comfort, high level quality of life requires laying a large number communications going through all floors of buildings. Hiding cables, pipes inside the column is an original, sometimes the only acceptable design solution.
Considering the columns as a decorative detail, it is worth including here the semi-columns. Semi-columns do not carry a support load. They are attached to the wall, performing decorating and zoning functions, while retaining all the aesthetic decorativeness inherent in entire columns.
Low columns from 80cm and above complement the interior in an original way. They are used as tables, stands for vases, sculptures, bowls. 
Epoch? Style? Direction?
Noble classic
The classical interior with antique columns was based on Greek samples - Doric, Ionic, Corinthian styles. The decoration of the base, body, capitals not only has not changed, moreover, good taste requires exact adherence to Greek ideals.
mysterious east
Impressive colonnades connected by arches are an integral element of oriental architecture. In contrast to classical restraint, the body of the eastern column is richly decorated with mosaics, ornaments, and bright colors.
Modern interior trends
Minimalist style, hi-tech, loft - did not bypass the columns. These styles involve a large free space, a significant height. The columns here act as floor supports. Most often, these are simple poles, finished in accordance with the style of the room - metal (like silver, nickel, chrome, copper), clinker "like aged brick", concrete with traces of formwork.
The latest trend is the use of backlighting in glass columns with bubbles.
rustic styles
In the good old Provence, Russian rustic style, other ethnic styles for finishing columns, wood and rough are preferred a natural stone.
The columns can be completely wooden, and the “stone” finish on various bases (concrete, polyurethane foam, drywall, false column) is made with materials imitating stone.
Using semi-columns, columns, decorate them based on the style of the entire room, and any, even the simplest stand, will become a “highlight”.
Suitable ... materials for the manufacture of columns
Traditionally, the elements of the column were cut out of stone - marble, granite, travertine. Local stone was used, from nearby deposits, because heavy stone blocks are difficult to transport over long distances. The body of the column was assembled from several parts, the seams between them were tightly rubbed, the column looked monolithic.
How to hide a column that is not needed
The design features of some buildings suggest a large floor area with a small number of partitions and bearing walls. It is difficult to do without a support such as a massive column in the middle of the room under such conditions. If the column does not correspond to the general style of the room, it makes sense to decorate it.
Unusually advantageous compositions of semi-columns combined with photo wallpaper. By choosing a drawing of a suitable style, you can transform any, even the tiniest room, for example, a hallway. A small street, a piece of a garden or the canals of Venice will harmoniously enlarge and refresh the space, thanks to the framing with semi-columns.
Having comprehended the ideas of ancient architects, having selected the appropriate modern technological materials, it is possible to turn a gray concrete and glass building into a luxurious palace, an oriental harem, a brutal loft or ... a beautiful garden.
So what is the secret of using columns in the interior? They give volume, turn a flat image into 3D, create a stereo effect, set the rhythm of space, and therefore make the interior alive, real.
The use of supporting pillars made of wood, metal and concrete is a widespread suburban construction practice. They are part entrance group, can support a roof over a terrace, a gallery around the house, or be supports for an arbor. Usually they try to decorate them in accordance with the general architectural design.
When finishing the supports, in most cases they are repelled from the building or finishing material used in the construction of the house.
The issue with brick buildings is quite simply solved: concrete pillars can then be lined with facing bricks or artificial stone of a similar format; sometimes pick up ceramic tiles or use decorative weather-resistant plasters (for outdoor use).
In some cases, not finishing, but building bricks are used, which allows you to simultaneously solve both an aesthetic and a functional task - to strengthen the support post. This is especially important for large sheds, which bear a significant load (and in winter, the weight of the snow must also be added).
If an artificial stone is used in the decoration of the facade of a building or its basement, then, as a rule, the owners are inclined to finish the supporting pillars with this material. Laying technology and a wide size range of elements make it possible to decorate even such a rather complex shape as a round support without any problems.
The supporting pillars are completely lined with bricks or finished with facing bricks.
Facing with natural stone causes a little more trouble - in particular, sawing with accurate dimensions, color matching of neighboring fragments, but this task is quite within the power of professionals.
Most architects prefer not to mask metal supports, believing that the metal itself looks advantageous, unless the building is decided in a purely classical style. All that the adherents of authenticity allow themselves are powder coatings or special primers, enamels and blacksmith paints for metal.
Ready-made option - "column assembled" from artificial stone. It can be from 3 to 7 m in height and with a lower diameter of 300 to 740 mm.
High-quality processing by them significantly saves money and time, protecting the material from corrosion for a long time. metal poles painted in a variety of colors - black, dark brown, gray, green, white. Sometimes shades of gold, silver, bronze, brass are appropriate; surfaces are made shiny or matte: options with imitation of patina are interesting.
Support pillars lined with artificial stone
When choosing a material for decorating supports, the fact that the canopy protects them from rain and snow is important. If yes, then one of the most interesting options- thick finish hemp rope(the diameter is usually about 3-5 cm, it all depends on the size of the support post - its own height and diameter).
Ropes are a type of twisted and woven products with a diameter of 6-112 mm with an increased breaking load and increased resistance to wear.
The rope is fixed at one of the points (most often at the bottom) and then laid around the support in tight rings. In an open area, in conditions of constant precipitation, the rope quickly deteriorates; under a canopy, it will serve for a long time, and if necessary it is easy to replace.
The fence around your own site is a kind of visiting card. By the beauty and decoration of the fence, they judge the viability of the owner of the territory, which is why the decoration of the fence is so important. Application of various decorative coatings helps improve appearance buildings and create a certain image of the entire architectural ensemble.
Example original finish natural stone fence
Decorating a fence is a difficult task, but it can be solved different ways. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Decorative plaster
Decorative plaster is a fairly common way to decorate the surface of a fence or building facade. The method is attractive due to its simplicity of execution and relative cheapness.
An example of decorative plaster of a brick fence
Structural plaster
Using structural plaster, you can create a grainy surface. Any granules (small pebbles, inclusions of quartz, wood fibers, etc.) are added to the mixture during manufacture. The basis of such mixtures are mineral compounds, usually synthetic or silicate. For outdoor use, mixtures based on organic solvents are suitable.
Structural plaster is distinguished by its characteristic plasticity. It is easy to apply, and the surface does not have to be perfectly even. Before applying the material, the surface of the fence should be treated with a primer and allowed to dry. Drying of the plaster itself takes only two to three hours, but the maximum surface strength is achieved a week after finishing. finishing works. The ready-to-use mixture is commercially available in buckets from 10 kg. 
You can try to make plaster yourself, using for this suitable material.
Textured plaster
Textured decorative plaster on the surface of the wall creates an original texture with a relief. The complexity and uniqueness of the pattern depends not only on the composition of the material, but also on the method of applying the mixture, as well as on the tools used. The skill of the workers is also important.
Finishing the fence in this way can give the surface the appearance of natural wood, wrinkled paper, or chipped rock.
The main ingredient of the mixture is lime flour, and as fillers, granite or marble chips, natural fibers can be used.
Before applying the mixture, the surface should be made perfectly even, and then treated with a primer and a special base paint containing sand in its composition. The wall is decorated using a spatula, brushes, trowel, and other tools.
Finishing the fence with textured plaster
Upon completion of the work, the plaster is treated with a glazing compound to protect it from exposure. external factors.
Venetian plaster
Usage Venetian plaster allows you to create an imitation of a marble surface. It contains marble flour, slaked lime and water emulsion. It is applied on a flat smooth surface, it is also possible to pre-color it. 
The main advantages of Venetian plaster are water resistance and fire safety. The applied mixture dries quickly, and the surface is resistant to environmental influences. The only disadvantage of this method is the high labor intensity. For getting desired effect it is necessary to apply from 5 to 12 thinnest layers of plaster.
Finishing the fence with natural or artificial stone
Facing the fence with stone is an excellent method. For this, both natural and artificial stone are used.
In addition to a purely aesthetic function, it has a strengthening purpose. Thus, the strength of the structure increases and its service life is extended. With the help of a stone, you can also hide some defects, for example, smooth out existing surface irregularities. An unedged stone looks as natural as possible, because it has not been subjected to special treatment before use.
Finishing fence with natural stone
Sawn stone resembles bricks in shape. Hewn stone may be different sizes and the shape and on the surface of the fence looks brutal and massive.
On initial stage finishing, a reinforcing mesh is attached to the surface of the fence using dowels or self-tapping screws. Then the wall is covered with a layer of plaster and dries within a day. When finishing with natural stone up to 30 mm thick and with a fence height of up to one and a half meters, strengthening the wall is not necessary. Otherwise, additional fixation of the stone with hooks driven into the fence is necessary. Holes are drilled in the stone for fastening. Glue is applied directly to the stone, and not to the surface of the fence. Distance between fragments it is kept no more than 1.5 cm. Then the seams are rubbed, and all dirt and excess glue is erased from the surface of the stones.
Fence tiling
Facing the fence with tiles will decorate the fence of any home. The material itself is made from a mixture of cement, sand and clay, and the slab is given a certain shape (square, rectangle, figures with oblique corners).
For tiling, you can choose different kinds this material:
- With glossy tiles, the finish will look festive, and the matte surface will emphasize the minimalism in the decor;
- The surface can be one-color or multi-color, with a marble effect or with a mosaic effect;
- The front side can be flat, concave, convex, and also heterogeneous.
It is easy to use tiles, and its surface is more resistant to environmental influences than, for example, plaster. A fence with tiles is not afraid of temperature changes and high humidity, and the fence will remain beautiful for a long time.
An example of finishing a fence with cobblestone tiles
Siding fencing
Facing the fence with siding is a modern alternative to corrugated board. Compared with a profiled sheet, siding has a lot of advantages:
- With almost the same cost of materials, the aesthetics of siding are much higher;
- The surface decorated with siding will last longer (the service life of the material will be up to 50 years);
- Siding is produced from different surface, under a tree, a stone;
- The color palette is much wider and more diverse, which allows you to choose the best option.
The panels weigh a little, so the load on the base will not be great.
After marking the territory, and according to the marking. Then, transverse logs are welded to the supports, playing the role of a fence crate. After that, the frame of the fence is primed and painted.
Finishing brick fence wood siding
The stage of finishing with siding begins with the alignment of the panels in width. The starting bar is attached below, and the second panel is inserted into it and fixed with self-tapping screws. So the whole structure is built up to the top up to the finish bar.
Maintenance of siding comes down to periodic washing with water and cleaning with a soft brush. Do not use solvents, acetone or harsh detergents.
From a fence made of stone, it smells of reliability and respectability. However, a solid stone fence looks somewhat rough and massive, so great solution I can be . Pillars and plinth made of stone in combination with corrugated board, picket fence or forged metal give the fence solidity and high cost without heavy gloominess.
An example of columns from natural stone for the fence
Material for stone pillars can be of natural and artificial origin.
natural stones
Natural stone is expensive, although some varieties, for example, cobblestone, can be looked for on your own, and you can do the laying of pillars with your own hands.
The process of installing stone pillars for a combined fence
The following types of stones are used for the fence and pillars: 
In general, natural mineral fence posts can be installed even cheaper than brick bases. But having decided to take up laying the stone with your own hands, you should know that this process is long and laborious.
Types of masonry
A stone of natural origin cannot be of the correct and standard form, so working with it will require patience and creativity. varies depending on the source material.
Construction of natural stone pillars
It is best to start building a fence in summer in dry weather so that the cement compositions harden faster. For pillars, fairly smooth stones of medium size are best suited. Under fence posts made of stone is needed.
Foundation arrangement
Masonry pillars made of natural stone with formwork
The most common and convenient way to build fence posts is to use sliding formwork.
The process of laying stone in a special formwork
To work, you need to assemble two low boxes from boards with the required dimensions. 
Stone laying without formwork
Another way to build a pillar with your own hands is masonry without formwork. The stones are located directly around and are fastened together with a thick cement mortar.
The largest stones are used for the bottom. Inner part the pillars are filled with cement with fine gravel.
You can lay out no more than two rows at once. After the mortar has set, laying continues. It is advisable to wipe the cement from the front with a wet cloth immediately, without waiting for the solution to dry.
When laying, you need to carefully monitor the size of the pillar and its verticality. Fasteners for transverse lags, located approximately in the third row of masonry and in the middle of the column, should protrude well beyond the stone base.
Scheme of a fence device with stone pillars
After the masonry is completed, the seams are embroidered and a protective and decorative cap is fixed, which will protect the fence post from precipitation.
Both laying methods require time and accuracy. But if you show great desire and patience, you can build beautiful and durable fence posts with your own hands, which will become a reliable support for the fence and a wonderful decorative element.
