Carpentry and Woodworking - Installing Decorative Columns

I am currently finishing a basement and need to put up 3 decorative columns. Two of the colums are 'free standing' and will flank the sides of an archway. The flooring in this area will be hardwood. The other split column will go around a steel support pole for the I beam. The flooring in this area will be tile.

I figured I would put the columns up first and try to place the flooring around the base so that I could secure the bottoms of the colums directly into the concrete. The issue I am having is figuring out how to secure the column bottoms so the attachment 1) is covered by the attic bases and 2) doesn't interfere with the level of the floor. I have thought about using L-brackets to attach to the side of the column and then nail into the ground, but I want to bring the flooring as close to the column as possible before setting the attic base and I am afraid the thickness of the L-bracket will cause the level of the tile or the hardwood to raise near the pole.

Any suggestions for securing this would be appreciated...

Also, what is the best way to secure the column tops to the ceiling. They are decorative and very thick. I do have wood in the soffits to attach the tops to. Is it just a matter of finding VERY long screws?

Jennifer

At the top, cut the soffit material to allow the column to be inserted. Set it in its final location and mark the floor. Strike lines diagonally to mark the center. Drill and set a dowel. Complete your floor, drill a corresponding recess in the bottom of the column and with a small amount of construction adhesive, set the column.