A large room is great – if it has a ceiling that’s the right height.  A too-low ceiling can make the room feel like a cave.   Shopping malls and casinos have high ceilings for just this reason – a too low ceiling would feel claustrophobic in such large spaces.   A “Great Room”  in a house will only feel great if its proportions are right.

Here is an example of an existing great room in a 1950′s house.  It’s a good size, but the low, heavy beams, originally holding up the original flat roof, make the space feel oppressive.  Since the roof had already been replaced with a new sloped roof in the 1970′s, the beams were no longer needed.  In fact, the entire ceiling had no real purpose anymore.

So I decided to take the ceiling  completely off.  I stripped away the dark paneled wall and replaced the old non-working fireplace with a new gas fireplace.  I used the underside of the eixsting sloped roof as my new ceiling, adding skylights for more interior daylignting and horizontal beams for structure.

Now the space feels in proportion.  The new height of the ceiling puts everything in sync.  A cathedral ceiling can make an amazing change in a space.  Cathdral ceilings work great in dining rooms, and bedrooms as well.  Add a little height to your room and add a lot of drama to your home.

Terri J. Cummings, AIA

To blog or not to blog?  That is the question.  In an effort to stay in touch and educate my clients, I have decided to join this most recent of popular modes of communication.  And what things shall I blog about?  Since this is not about me, and it is most definitely not about me, but about you, I wish to write about subjects of interest to you.  It is about you and for you, my clients:   past, present, and future.   I shall NOT write about highbrow design concepts, intellectual ideology, or international design awards.  I WILL write about topics I think will both interest and help you.   I will write my thoughts on good, down to earth design ideas, little tricks of the trade, and ways to help the home owner navigate through and yes, possibly even enjoy,  their construction project.

I will try to blog often, but there will be no set schedule (way too much pressure!).  And remember, life – or construction – hardly ever goes according to schedule.  I will blog whenever I wish to share an insight or valuable lesson.  Or have a great idea I need to tell you about.  I will try to keep venting about bad builders or insane inspectors to a minimum (but no promises).

Because I am visual person, I will try to include photos to illustrate my points.  And finally, because I believe in being direct and to the point, my blogs will be short, because I know, like me, your time is valuable.  Stay tuned for my next entry:   The drama of a cathedral ceiling.

Terri J. Cummings, AIA

More posts coming soon.