Here's the view from the other direction.

{{!gwi}}

My DH put shelves on our beam and we store some nice handmade pottery there.

Donaleen, that's a really interesting solution that I hadn't thought of. Of course, I don't have anything I can think of that I like enough to display up there, but I like the idea of sort of trimmed-out drywall.

If you need better photos or details, let me know.

Our beam looked a lot like yours before hand.

You could also trim it out like a wide doorway. We did that in another area.

Here is a link that might be useful: trimming doorway

This post was edited by donaleen on Tue, Jan 15, 13 at 17:53

You'll need Donnaleen's shelf to put the stuff you currently have on your stubby wall cabinets. :P

Sorry I don't have a photo available but I have seen some beams like yours enhanced with a pretty white column. In your case, it would probably be placed maybe 2ft out from your partial wall. The other photo you posted didn't come through so I don't know if the other side of the room has a similar partial wall so you could get symmetry. I guess I'm also trying to suggest a way to use your challenge as a decorating opportunity. By the way, I wish I only had as much clutter as you!

I don't think that making your header into a "beam" would work. It's not a beam without that wall. Cladding the opening with some molding could.

Simply case it like all the other doors in your house, top and sides--head, jamb, side casing etc. Why call attention to the fact that it's a beam?