Now you may start to place the bottom pieces of your columns on their bases. I have shown fluted columns, because I think they’re the prettiest, but there is no reason why you can’t have plain round columns if you prefer. It is possible that you may wish to avail yourself of the help of your local stonecutter in making the parts of your columns. It is important, by the way, that the top and bottom of each piece of column be cut cleanly and squarely, its surface precisely perpendicular to the vertical surfaces. (The reason for this will become clear as you go on.)