[Teryl1949]

For those of you with a Gardenia or Begonia....did you add the post the living room/dining room? Are you glad you did or did it become more of a distraction? We like it, but are concerned. Candid thoughts are greatly appreciated.

[graciegirl]

We had the pillars in our home in Hadley and thought they added a lot of architectural interest. I decorated that home in a cottagy, beachy type feel with white and medium brown furniture and lots of light teal and pink. Shells, sand castle, swimmers from the thirties in pictures and figurines.

BUT the pillars also look well with traditional and transitional...my opinion. I am not a "real" decorator.

I'd vote no if you are doing clean lined contemporary. ...

[jimbo2012]

Not an owner but we both didn't care for them, they looked out of place for this size home.

[mickey100]

We have a gardenia and love the look. We feel it is rich looking, and like the feeling of separation it gives the great room - gives it a feel of a dining area, but without the walls.

[dmorhome]

Originally Posted by Teryl1949

For those of you with a Gardenia or Begonia....did you add the post the living room/dining room? Are you glad you did or did it become more of a distraction? We like it, but are concerned. Candid thoughts are greatly appreciated.

had first house w/pillars second w/out makes that open look much bigger w/out.

[cgalloway6]

We are building a Gardenia and didn't get the pillars. We felt it limited how long a table you can put in the dining room. Also it seems to block some of the view out the back from the kitchen. We liked the open feel of the room without it.

[Happinow]

We put the pillars in and love it. It defines our space. We took out the dining room and made it a sitting room with a fireplace. We love it! We felt without the pillar the room would have been boring. Each to their own!

[kjockerm]

We have a Begonia with the pillars. It gives definition to the room, but it still feels open. We have put our dining room table both ways and had plenty of room either way.

[ducati1974]

Another vote for the columns, we just like the architectural interest and room definition they create.

[Lpierleo]

I don't have a Gardenia but my friends do and I think the are lovely.
They do provide that architectural interest.

[Kelsie52]

We have a Begonia and decided not to have the columns --gave us much more room for a large table in the dining area ---

Good luck

[Sadie1313]

Originally Posted by Teryl1949

For those of you with a Gardenia or Begonia....did you add the post the living room/dining room? Are you glad you did or did it become more of a distraction? We like it, but are concerned. Candid thoughts are greatly appreciated.

We bought a spec home, that came without the pillars. I loved the architectural look, and we were sure we would put the pillars in after-market. We went so far as to make an appt. to have it done. The day before the appt., all our furniture was delivered. I panicked, and cancelled the appt. I was afraid the pillars would block the open view and feel that I loved so much about the Gardenia. Instead, we had Floor Masters come, and remove the carpet from the Diningroom part of the room. They scalloped the edge of the carpet as they cut it away from the livingroom. Then we had them continue the tiles from the foyer and the kitchen. This way, we have a definite seperation of the diningroom and the livingroom, and have still maintained the open view we love. Also, now I don't have to worry about food spilling and staining the carpet under the table. I can just mop the tile up. Either way you decide, they're both great looks. Good luck, and welcome to The Villages. Moving here was the best decision any of us will have ever made. Trish

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by mickey100

We have a gardenia and love the look. We feel it is rich looking, and like the feeling of separation it gives the great room - gives it a feel of a dining area, but without the walls.

[MSG@TV]

Originally Posted by Teryl1949

For those of you with a Gardenia or Begonia....did you add the post the living room/dining room? Are you glad you did or did it become more of a distraction? We like it, but are concerned. Candid thoughts are greatly appreciated.

We likely will be building a Begonia; our friends have a Gardenia. I really like the architectural interest of the columns, as my design esthetic tends toward more traditional tastes. Furthermore, we intend to use much of our existing furniture, so when we got home we scaled out on graph paper how it all would fit. Before we decided to stretch, we came to the realization that the posts did not work well with our planned furniture placement. Since we now intend to stretch, we haven't re-figured the floorplan. However, I've now gotten used to the idea of living without the columns, so it's likely we will not add them. Then again, so many decisions to make when you build, I could easily change my mind. Just my thoughts.

[skyguy79]

Here's a picture in our Gardenia where the columns are showing. We're happy to have them and have not had the feelings or concerns others have had about space, views or open feelings!