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Originally, I planned on keeping it like it is, but a few family members said they would remove the spindles. I want to do a butcher block bar so I thought about removing the middle section while I'm at it to allow those sitting at the bar to better see the tv/talk. However, that will require a little more work because I'll probably need to hire an engineer and run a large header across the opening with added supports in the crawlspace.
So would you remove the spindles (put in when the house was built in '64)?
Remove the middle section ($1200+ additional cost)
Do separate bars at each opening?
I have attached some quick ideas. The doorway will also be widened about 6 inches.
Last edited by eddiehaskell; 10-07-2014 at 02:20 AM..
Remove the spindles and pay the $1200 to make it one open area. 2 smaller counters will look choppy and will be too tight for comfortably seating more than 1 person at each opening but of course you can't put a seat facing the closed middle section as shown in your 2nd photo.
OP, the extra $1,200 is because you need a structural header, right? I think in another thread you wrote that the spindles were for structural support (load-bearing wall) -- they weren't decorative. If that's the case then $1,200 for a header isn't bad at all. I'll be opening up my kitchen wall shared with the dining room to make one large space, and I was thinking it would be a few thousand bucks for the header I will undoubtedly need.
I like how your space would look "open" with the bar seats (although I'm surprised you wouldn't need a 3rd support bar in the middle?).
Personally I would remove the center, but at the very least I would run the counter the whole length. If you can't remove the center can you put an electrical outlet there? Then you could use it as a serving station if needed.
I'd remove the spindles but keep the wall between the two openings. Install two separate butcher blocks that overhang in both rooms - standard counter width in the kitchen and maybe a foot into the living room.
OP, the extra $1,200 is because you need a structural header, right? I think in another thread you wrote that the spindles were for structural support (load-bearing wall) -- they weren't decorative. If that's the case then $1,200 for a header isn't bad at all. I'll be opening up my kitchen wall shared with the dining room to make one large space, and I was thinking it would be a few thousand bucks for the header I will undoubtedly need.
I like how your space would look "open" with the bar seats (although I'm surprised you wouldn't need a 3rd support bar in the middle?).
The spindles don't support any weight. They are just sort of hanging there and don't actually touch the framing. I'm thinking they should have put headers above the openings when the house was built. I'm probably looking at $1500 for materials, engineer, concrete footings poured under house and carpenter to do the work. That just seems incredibly expensive to remove 16 inches of wall. If I were taking the entire wall down it wouldn't seem so bad.
Personally I would remove the center, but at the very least I would run the counter the whole length. If you can't remove the center can you put an electrical outlet there? Then you could use it as a serving station if needed.
Hmm, this sounds like a good idea. There is already an electrical outlet in the bottom part of the middle section. I could probably raise that up above counter top height and give people a place to plug in their phone or other electronics...maybe one of those outlets that also has a USB port. I could also attach some sort of rack to the wall with napkins and condiments. If I go with the longer 96" piece of butcher block, it will almost span the entire width of the opening.
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