One of my favorite things to look for when I’m out yardsaling is columns and pedestals. Big or small, it doesn’t matter, there are so many ways to use them around the house. They are so versatile and I move them from place to place all the time. Some are on top of my kitchen cabinets to lift things up, one is on my foyer table for the same reason, and the taller columns are used to accent plants and give them more presence and importance than just placing them on the floor. The pedestal above came from a yardsale years ago for $5. It’s plaster and was already painted. I love the shape of it, as well as the rope detailing on it. It has moved around a lot over the years and now adds a little lift to the peace lily in the den.
In another corner of the den, this faux palm also gets a lift. I also found this shorter column at a yardsale, I think for the same price of $5.
This little column was found at Hobby Lobby at the end of the season a couple of years ago. You know when they mark everything down to 60-70% off? I scored this for about $7 on sale and now gives Mr. Bunny a place to rest in the foyer.
Smaller architectural fragments are great for table tops. Use them for display, as lifts to elevate something that you want to highlight and show off.
Another column sits in a little alcove at the top of our stairs. I painted the finial and the column sometime ago.
This pair of old wooden columns in the diningroom are my pride and joy and I brought them with me from GA. They came from the now defunct Lakewood Antiques Market and I will keep them forever. I did distress them a bit, although they were already old and beat up. I just added a little glaze to them.
Another little pedestal on top of my kitchen cabinets adds some needed height to a plate stand. 
Now, all that to get to this. My neighborhood had a big sale a few weeks ago, so after getting in from out of town late Friday, of course I had to go out in the rain to see what was out there. I spotted this very nice column at a house for $4. She pointed out the hole in the side, but I said, no worries I’ll fix it. I think this one is fiberglass. So, I came home, put some heavy tape on the backside (the column is hollow, so I could reach in there), flattened out the tape on the inside so my patch would have something to cling to. The tape is already in place here.
Then I put on that handy-dandy air-dry clay I told y’all about when I fixed the urn handle. Smoothed it out as best I could, but wasn’t too concerned with it. Plaster of Paris would have also worked for this project, as you can smooth it out really well when it’s wet. But, the air-dry clay was just fine too. 
Then, I painted over it with one of my wall colors which was a very close match. Dry brushed over that with a little white primer to add back some white. Can you see it here in this pic? The hole is gone and I dare anyone to actually spot it! It wouldn’t have really mattered anyway, but I like to fix things if I can.
Because I put it in the corner of my livingroom and changed out another plaster column that wasn’t as nice. This one is really nice and heavy duty and has a pretty shape.
Columns are a great way to fill those empty corners that you don’t quite know what to do with.
You can see behind the sofa, I’ve used 2 other fat round columns with a nice piece of glass on top as a sofa table. I have a small stereo, as well as family pics displayed here.
And there you have it! Another little project completed. I hope this will give you more to think about when you get out there and start yardsaling. Don’t pass up those architectural elements that are so useful around the house. Even if they are beat up, you can paint them any way you’d like! 
I’m a “column” girl myself. I have them all. . . over. . . the. . .house. And I love them!!
Blessings,
Sher
P.S. GREAT fix job on that yardsale find
Oh these are beautiful but my 14 month old baby girl would have a ball trying to knock one over. Oh can you just imagine…we’ll save columns for when she is bit older. 😉 Miss ya Rhoda.
Rhoda, I’m headed out to a rummage sale at a church before work, I hope I find a column!
I love all of yours but I noticed something I never saw in your lovely home before. I would love to see a better picture of the painted chest? next to the column with the bunny…please!!!
Happy hunting tomorrow! Mary
You won’t believe this! I don’t have a single column. But, you’ve inspired me with your creative use of them in your home, so I’m going to look for one. I know exactly where I want my first one to go. Thanks for being such a inspiring friend!! xoxo
PS
I just this morning noticed your blog link missing from my sidebar. I must have tried to delete something else and grabbed yours instead. I fixed it! Can’t be without Southern Hospitality every now and then, can I?!!
Rhoda I always love photos of your home and your creativity!
I have some columns made of old bedposts too…just add a big bit of wood to the bottom and one to the top, whatever size you want.
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Thanks for sharing all the wonderful photos of your columns and how they are used in your beautiful home.