2 columns in one row with different background colours

https://siteorigin.com/thread/2-columns-different-colors/ this example is very clear, we tried this on a base installation and it simply does not work. Setting a simply background colour on one of the columns does nothing. We are also experience, any other very basic actions that simply do not work, the page building seems extremely erratic and without logic on most basic actions. Can you please come back to me ASAP as we are committed to a website build and this is now stopped us completely.