Building Columns

fluted column
top and bottom caps
3/4" plywood
base molding
L-brackets
finish nails
spackle
hot glue gun/glue
braided trim

1. The featured column base is 7-1/2 inches high and 13 inches wide. Tomake it , cut four plywood sides to size, and then cut an angle with a table saw blade set at a 45-degree tilt (figure A).

2. The top of the base box is a 13-inch square. Cut angles on all four sides as in Step 1.

4. Dress it up with base molding. Prime and paint all the pieces as desired.

6. Slide the bottom ring into position--since it's bigger than the column it will fit easily over the brackets. Secure it with a couple finish nails. Square the top ring with the bottom column support. Press tightly against the ceiling, and then attach to the column with finish nails. Don't attach it to the ceiling as the pressure of the column should hold it in place and attaching to the ceiling will only make it harder to remove later.

7. Fill in all the nail holes with spackle; sand and touch-up with paint.

8. Glue braided trim around the gap on the base.