here's a pic that shows more of the space

one more

would it look odd to keep all of the other woodwork stainedand only have the ceiling boards white? my gut is saying it would

also the walls beside the mantle are wood boards too. i suppose we could continue the paint on those since they continue to the ceiling, but then the builtins that are stained run into the boarded walls, so where do you draw the line so to speak? are the only "proper" options all white or all stained?

Can you get a photo showing more of the fireplace wall? Also, is the wood stained a walnut color, or is it really walnut? Judging from the grain I don't think it's walnut.

Personally, I think there's no need to paint any of the trim work and I'm not quite sure that section of dark wall and ceiling needs painting. I would definitely paint the window seat/cabinet (and maybe the connecting kitchen cab) along the stair railings. Also have the fireplace brick cleaned.
Having additional lighting installed would make a huge difference.
I suggest you post over on the GM Home Decor Forum....the folks over there will have lots of suggestions! http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/decor/

Below, I've linked to some images to give you an idea of painted railings.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stairs

I love the walnut ceiling if it is real wood, and would not paint.

Don't paint! Try to lighten up in other reversible ways first. The room is beautiful.

Do not paint it! I have a friend who did, and it looks weird. Then, she filled in all the grooves between the "planks" with caulk, and repainted, and now those are starting to expand/contract. Wood moves with humidity, etc. If you paint it, I don't think you'll ever be happy with it.

It seems bright and airy to me, but maybe that's just the photograph. The wood is beautiful, and I think it would look odd if it was painted. I'd rather see a lime wash on the brick fireplace than paint on the wood.

I really like this house. And I agree, if she wants it lightened up some, go with accessories in blue/white color combinations instead of painting woodwork white (including ceiling - lovely as is!)

That walnut (or whatever wood) ceiling is amazing! It is the "wow" factor in the house. I certainly would not paint it. And there is nothing wrong with a house wrapped in the warmth of wood and brick. If blue and white is the theme, I would consider adding some yellow/gold to the color scheme as well. It will help to brighten it up. You can always add lighting to the areas where it is needed. That is one seriously cool house!
Diane

Thanks everyone. I agree. My gut was telling me that it should stay stained. She wants the floors in staggered 24x24 african blue tile. She does not want wood. So I'm not sure if that will make the room more dark? But she's dead set on the blue slate. So I thought a white/gray platinum rug would brighten things up, but that's not very family friendly. We will get gray taupey linen sofas by Hickory Chair and have blue and white ikat or chevron on the chairs. I will try to incorporate some yellow into accessories.

Cleaning the bricks is something I didn't think of. That's a great idea.

For those who asked, I'm not sure what type of wood was used. I think it's cedar or cypress. For some reason that is ringing a bell. Whatever it is, it is definitely a very pretty wood stained in walnut.

I would paint the brick fireplace myself. Are the large windows north-facing? That would explain the lack of light coming into the house. Painting the fireplace will help bounce some of the light back into the house.

I suggested we add some mortar in between the bricks then paint over them in a creamy white, but she doesn't want to. I didn't get a reason why. I will try bringing that up again. They aren't particularly pretty bricks, so I wouldn't have a problem painting over them.

The windows along the fireplace wall are facing the West. The East side of the house opens up to a large courtyard that connects to the main house.