skip to main content

Home Decorating

Please Help Me Solve An Awkward Ceiling Problem

10 years ago

We have gutted and are in the process of remodeling a 1974 home. We have raised the ceilings as much as we can, working within the confines of the existing roof structure. At the end of the day, after considering all of our options, we have an awkward triangle on each side of the kitchen, leading into our breakfast area. There will be upper cabinets butting up on one side of the kitchen which will conceal it to some degree, but the other side is a bit more awkward.

What would you do about the triangles? There is nothing we can do structurally to change their presence so how would you make the most of this design compromise? One thought was to put a column on the left side which would partially conceal it and balance the cabinets on the opposite side. But this blocks off the room and the view somewhat. Another idea was a partial archway, but it won't look even if the cabinet protrudes in front of it on the one side. Any ideas or thoughts?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (20)

cat_mom
10 years ago
I actually like the triangles! I think it would look nice (and more open) without them as well, but IMO, the triangles add a kind of visual interest, and delineate the space, too.
andee_gw
10 years ago
Honestly, I don't see it as awkward. You have a lot of planes and angles in the walls and ceiling, so it almost seems intentional and not a compromise. I would paint it the same color as the wall (or maybe the ceiling -- I can't see well into the eating area).
Related Discussions
Help me solve a mystery rose please?
Q
Comments (9)
This is so strange Jackie. I have a rose that a local friend gave me during the summer. It was in a pot and not knowing what it was I didn't put it in the garden. It finally bloomed and the bloom looks exactly like your last two photos and is intensely fragrant. I called the lady and inquired about the rose. She said it was planted by her husband about 25 years ago before he passed and she didn't know its name. She also said it gets pretty large. I haven't found out the true identity yet of mine but it pretty much matches the description and pics I've seen of Aloha. Well I'm ramblin' better go get another cup of coffee.
...See More
Please help solve this mystery
Q
Comments (43)
I keep recommending that Jerry talk to a good construction lawyer because, in Texas, getting residential construction problems fixed is made horribly complicated by the Texas Residential Construction Commission and various statutes that ultimately PROTECT BAD BUILDERS. Further, Jerry's situation is complicated by the fact that he purchased what he called in another thread "an 80% complete repossessed home". That means there was another builder on the scene before Jerry ever hired his current GC. The other builder may have gone out of business or the original owner may have quit paying him because of constuction issues we haven't even heard about. The 80% completed house may have sat vacant and exposed to the weather for weeks or even months before it was repossessed and sold to Jerry. Even if originally properly built, if the house sat semi-exposed to the weather, that could result in numerous problems down the road One house in the neighborhood where I am building sat at the Tyvek-wrap stage for over two years after the original owner and his builder got into an irreconcilable dispute. Neighbors began referring to it as the Tyvek house. After about a year, it was repossed by the bank and the ONLY reason I know it isn't Jerry's house is that after tying unsuccessfully to unload it at auction, the bank finally had the house finished about a year ago so that it could be sold. No one would touch it in its incomplete state and at one point I know the bank had dropped the price to little more than what the land alone was valued at. Still no takers. My point though is that if/when legal wrangling starts, Jerry's current GC can and probably will point the finger at the previous builder who is likely to be judgement proof at this point. And, even if he is not, he will point the finger back at Jerry's current builder and/or claim that any defects are due to the house having sat incomplete for whatever period of time. Jerry will be caught in the middle. Plus it seems like Jerry just keeps finding additional problems with the house and that his GC, instead of really working to make things right, simply keeps demanding that he (and his subs) be paid. So far we've heard about: 1) Leaking windows... which Jerry seemed rather unconcerned about until folks on this board pointed out that windows should NOT leak at all. Haven't heard whether the leaking windows have/have not been fixed yet. I suspect they were improperly flashed and will have to be removed and reinstalled. I also bet that once Jerry starts trying to get the windows taken care of, the installers will insist that the windows were improperly manufactured and the manufacturer will insist that installation was faulty. In the meantime water is very likely penetrating the wall cavity under the windows which will eventually lead to mold and rot. 2) At least one crack in the foundation that is wide enough that Jerry's CG was able to spray water into it... maybe it is nothing but I'd be getting a foundation engineer out to take a look at it NOW just to be sure! 3) SOLID hardwood floors that are bucking. Apparently they were glued to a slab foundation with NO moisture barrier and before being given any time whatsoever to acclimate to the climate of the house plus they were installed with inadequate expansion rooom. Never-the-less the installers claimed the flooring materials were faulty. Frankly, it rather concerns me that Jerry is naive enough to have been surprised when the floor installers claimed the flooring materials were faulty because pointing the finger at someone else is a time-honored mechanism that miscreants use to escape responsibility! I would lay money right now the manufacturer will say that the installation was faulty and therefore that the warranty has been waived. Jerry says the installer has ordered more wood flooring. What I don't hear him saying is that the installer has agreed to PAY for the new wood. Why would the installer pay to buy new wood if the original materials were actually defective???? But the manufacture is NOT going to supply another load for free if it believes that the problems were caused by faulty installataion. And, if the installers don't pay for the new wood, Jerry will have no choice but to pay for it because the supplier can and will put a lien on Jerry's property if it isn't paid. 4) Inadequate amounts of insulation AND then insulation guy lying thru his teeth! Further, either the GC is activly complicit in the insulation sub's attempt at fraud or at least he did nothing whatsoever to check that his sub had actually done the work he was hired to do. Let's face it, if Jerry can figure out that the sub merely bent over his measuring devices over rather than actually adding another 5" of insulation, shouldn't a half-way competant GC have been able to figure that out as well? None of these defects are minor cosmetic flaws. Every single one of them is a HUGE deal yet the GC just keeps saying "pay me, I'm done. Pay the sub, he's done." My guess is that there are other flaws as well in this house that will manifest themselves over time. The GC is hoping to get his money and disappear before Jerry finds anything else. One thing a good construction lawyer would probably recommend is a series of inspections by experts that he knows to be competant in order to try and figure out just what all else is wrong with the house. Wiring? Plumbing? Roof? Who knows? I could be wrong but knowing that the GC overlooked the fact that the insulation guy folded his measuring device over by 5" so that it would show 12" - 13" inches of installation when there was really only 7" - 8" strongly suggests to me that he cannot be trusted to have properly supervised any of the rest of his subs either. It is not totally clear to me whether Jerry has "closed on the house" since apparently he hasn't finished paying the GC. I would actually be surprised if Jerry's contract even ALLOWS him to retain any monies upon closing since the form contract promulgated by the Texas Association of Builders and used by probably 99% of builders in Texas specifically disallowers retainage. However apparently Jerry has taken possession of the house because he refers to the builder giving him back the keys. In general I believe that once an owner takes possesion of new construction in Texas, the clock starts ticking on the Owner's ability to bring a claim under Texas's statutory warranties for new home construction. A good construction lawyer would know whether the clock is already ticking for Jerry and would know the statute of limitations for each of the various construction defects that Jerry is dealing with. I don't but I do know that in some cases the statute of limitations is as short as ONE YEAR... and you have to have gone thru all of TRCC's required steps BEFORE that time period is up. You cannot just show up in court the day before the SOL runs and say, hey, I want to bring a suit for breach of warranty suit. (Prior to TRCC, you could do that but shortening the effective warranty period is just one more way the TRCC protects builders.) Based on what Jerry has written, I think his house is a disaster waiting to happen. There are complicated legal hoops that Jerry will need to jump through before he can possibly bring a legal claim. He needs to understand them now so that IF/WHEN he finally decides he needs to sue, he will be ready to do so. I am worried that without some legal advice, he will wait too long to begin the necessary hoop-jumping processes and the statute of limitations will run on his claims. I'm worried that if Jerry doesn't pay the subs because of their substandard work, they will simply file liens against his house that will then cloud his title and ultimately force him into court anyway. I'm worried that Jerry seems to be doing all his communicating with his GC and with subs orally rather than in writing. That means that if/when this all winds up in court - or more likely, before an arbitrator that is likely to be biased in the builder's favor to begin with - he will have no proof whatsoever to support his version of the story. Frankly, it feels like I'm watching a train wreck in slow motion. In advising Jerry to at least talk to a really good construction lawyer, I was not and am not trying to drum up business. I don't practice construction law and know that I don't understand it well enough to advise anyone. In fact, if I were in Jerry's shoes, I too would have to hire a lawyer and I would consider it money well spent. I just really truly hate to see a good man with a brand new baby watch his dreams turn into a protracted nightmare.
...See More
New thread to try to solve computer problem please
Q
Comments (35)
I should mention that I just took AOL off my computer after 8 years. I understand AOL leaves bits of itself all over as well. When I followed your instructions I ran into a snag but tried to continue on. Hopefully Norton is gone. Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2 Scan saved at 4:17:56 PM, on 4/8/2009 Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600) MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180) Boot mode: Normal Running processes: C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\Antivirus\MsMpEng.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\brsvc01a.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\brss01a.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe c:\windows\explorer.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe C:\Program Files\Carbonite\Carbonite Backup\carboniteservice.exe C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\OcHealthMon.exe C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\winssnotify.exe C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe C:\Program Files\Comcast\Desktop Doctor\bin\sprtsvc.exe C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\Firewall\msfwsvc.exe C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\winss.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/sb/ymsgr6/*http://www.yahoo.com/ext/search/search.html R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.comcast.net/ R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Windows Internet Explorer provided by Comcast R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=c:\windows\explorer.exe F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=c:\windows\system32\userinit.exe O2 - BHO: (no name) - "02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670> - (no file) O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - "06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3> - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - "3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0> - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll (file missing) O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - "53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F> - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - "AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7> - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - "AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D> - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.1.1309.3572\swg.dll O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - "DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9> - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - "E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C> - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll O3 - Toolbar: &Google - "2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F> - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus Photo R220 Series] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATIAIA.EXE /P30 "EPSON Stylus Photo R220 Series" /O6 "USB001" /M "Stylus Photo R220" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OneCareUI] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\winssnotify.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe" O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Symantec Network Driver Update Warning] C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\SNDWarn.EXE (User 'SYSTEM') O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Warning] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDWarn.exe (User 'SYSTEM') O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\RunOnce: [SRUUninstall] "C:\WINDOWS\System32\msiexec.exe" /x "6AF90EF6-F7F9-466C-99F4-1774826FBB40> /qn REBOOT=ReallySuppress (User 'SYSTEM') O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [Symantec Network Driver Update Warning] C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\SNDWarn.EXE (User 'Default user') O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\RunOnce: [SRUUninstall] "C:\WINDOWS\System32\msiexec.exe" /x "6AF90EF6-F7F9-466C-99F4-1774826FBB40> /qn REBOOT=ReallySuppress (User 'Default user') O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to Google Photos Screensa&ver - res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\GPhotos.scr/200 O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000 O9 - Extra button: Run WinHTTrack - "36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040> - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Launch WinHTTrack - "36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040> - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll O9 - Extra button: ComcastHSI - "669B269B-0D4E-41FB-A3D8-FD67CA94F646> - http://www.comcast.net/ (file missing) O9 - Extra button: Support - "8828075D-D097-4055-AA02-2DBFA9D85E8A> - http://www.comcastsupport.com/ (file missing) O9 - Extra button: Research - "92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263> - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL O9 - Extra button: Help - "97809617-3937-4F84-B335-9BB05EF1A8D4> - http://online.comcast.net/help/ (file missing) O9 - Extra button: Real.com - "CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE> - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll O9 - Extra button: (no name) - "DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2> - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - "DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2> - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll O9 - Extra button: Messenger - "FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683> - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - "FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683> - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe O9 - Extra button: Ebates - "6685509E-B47B-4f47-8E16-9A5F3A62F683> - file://C:\Program Files\Ebates_MoeMoneyMaker\Sy350\Tp350\scri350a.htm (file missing) (HKCU) O16 - DPF: "01118400-3E00-11D2-8470-0060089874ED> (SdcNetCheckCtl Class) - http://activex.microsoft.com/objects/ocget.dll O16 - DPF: "17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700> (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204 O16 - DPF: "2253F320-AB68-4A07-917D-4F12D8884A06> (ChainCast VMR Client Proxy) - http://www.streamaudio.com/download/ccpm_0237.cab O16 - DPF: "231B1C6E-F934-42A2-92B6-C2FEFEC24276> (yucsetreg Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\common\yucconfig.dll O16 - DPF: "6F750200-1362-4815-A476-88533DE61D0C> (Ofoto Upload Manager Class) - http://www.ofoto.com/downloads/BUM/BUM_WIN_IE_1/axofupld.cab O16 - DPF: "88D969C0-F192-11D4-A65F-0040963251E5> (XML DOM Document 4.0) - file://C:\TempEI4\EI40_\msxml4.cab O16 - DPF: "AD5AE604-34F2-4C7C-AEBB-14D424294A76> - http://www.interoagent.com/SyncInstaller/ReportGenerator/ReportGenerator.cab O16 - DPF: "B9191F79-5613-4C76-AA2A-398534BB8999> - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/suite/autocomplete.cab O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll O23 - Service: Acronis Scheduler2 Service (AcrSch2Svc) - Acronis - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe O23 - Service: BrSplService (Brother XP spl Service) - brother Industries Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\brsvc01a.exe O23 - Service: CarboniteService - Carbonite, Inc. (www.carbonite.com) - C:\Program Files\Carbonite\Carbonite Backup\carboniteservice.exe O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Documents and Settings\Ginny\My Documents\Jen\bin\iPodService.exe O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe (file missing) O23 - Service: SoundMAX Agent Service (SoundMAX Agent Service (default)) - Analog Devices, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe O23 - Service: SupportSoft Sprocket Service (ddoctorv2) (sprtsvc_ddoctorv2) - SupportSoft, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Comcast\Desktop Doctor\bin\sprtsvc.exe -- End of file - 9201 bytes
...See More
Help me solve this difficult problem.
Q
Comments (12)
Yea quite a question how to weatherproof a pocket door. Most likely why the GC recommends against it. Note the houzz inspiration pics are in san fran... you wouldnt find these in cold climates. The inspiration pics look nice but are they practical? Do they leak air or water? We dont know. Perhaps a large sweep meant for garage door bottoms. Wont look nice though. Maybe if they install it under the jamb? A real pain to maintain though. When they say they have a kit that works with exterior doors, I am guessing that means it will accept a door that used to be an exterior door, not that it is meant to be installed on an exterior wall. Implementing this idea will not be cheap that is for certain. An outswing door is more practical as others have mentioned. Perhaps a pocket screen door on the inside with the outswing door.
...See More
theclose
10 years ago
They don't look awkward to me. I would paint them the same color as the breakfast area.

Beautiful room! That brick ceiling is very pretty.
lazy_gardens
10 years ago
It doesn't look awkward ... that's what happens when you have barrel vaults.

You can do three things:

1 - Flaunt it. Paint the triangles with a small scene or animal like they do in Renaissance palaces and churches. Or install an antique corbel as if it's holding up the ceiling.

2a - Blend it ... paint it the same color as the slanty kitchen wall.

2b - Blend it to a different wall. Paint it the same color as the semi-circle that crosses the room and it will become part of that arch
TxMarti
10 years ago
I don't see it as awkward either. LOVE the brick ceiling.
ineffablespace
10 years ago
It doesn't bother me, but you could complete the tray by dropping the fourth side and completing it like the other three sides of the ceiling in that area.
Annie Deighnaugh
10 years ago
I would also try to finish the tray on this side. If not, then at least add a soffit which will not only block the triangles, but add more of a visual separation between the two rooms without adding a wall.
hilltop_gw
10 years ago
That's a beautiful area! You're questioning the triangles now because it's one big open room and your eyes are drawn upward to the architectural details because there's little else to look at now. Once you get everything finished and the furnishings in, the triangles will likely recede and you'll hardly notice them.
TXBluebonnet11
Original Author
10 years ago
I'm not at the home now, but here is one more photo. Thanks so much to all who said that the triangles aren't bothersome. That offers me a lot of reassurance! That being said, my photos are bad; I think it's much more noticeable in real life than in the photos I've posted. I will take more and post them as soon as I can get back to the house. Thanks for the ideas, Lazygardens! I will have to keep considering what would be better - flaunt it or blend it.

Annie and IneffableSpace: Thank you so much for your input. I'm not sure what you mean by completing or finishing the triangle. What specifically do you suggest? I'm having trouble visualizing what you are describing. I look forward to hearing more.

Thanks so much for the compliments on the groin vault ceiling. It was the one thing in the kitchen that I really, really wanted. I am so happy with the way it came out. So often your vision just doesn't translate how you envision; I'm so pleased that it did in this case. I plan to have a large chandelier hanging from the center, and it will be directly over the large island in the middle.
theclose
10 years ago
I just realized the groin vault is over the kitchen, not the breakfast area. Whoops! I think you should paint the triangles same as kitchen, not breakfast.
ineffablespace
10 years ago
Three sides of the kitchen have the perimeter of the ceiling dropped like a tray ceiling (the open ends or edges of this in cross section form the triangles. If you connected the area where the two triangles are and made the ceiling detail across the opening the same as the other three sides you would have a complete tray ceiling.
andee_gw
10 years ago
This "completing the tray" has me puzzled. If I look at the triangles in two pictures, it reminds me of an Escher drawing. Are the triangles in the same plane as the walls and they are the end parts of a triangular wedge that goes into the dining area, or are they cutouts in the ceiling and so seem to need filling in?
Annie Deighnaugh
10 years ago
The triangles are because you have 3 sides of a tray ceiling in the breakfast nook. It should have 4 sides, so the side facing the kitchen needs to be dropped down on the kitchen side then tapered up to the ceiling height in the breakfast nook at the same angle that the other sides are tapered. So all 4 sides of the tray look exactly the same.
amykath
10 years ago
If I had that brick ceiling I would not touch it. I love it! Very cool and unique. Maybe just live with it at first and see what you think. It really is a very interesting feature!
TXBluebonnet11
Original Author
10 years ago
Here are a few more photos.
TXBluebonnet11
Original Author
10 years ago
I hope these photos are helpful.

Ahhh...good idea Annie and IneffableSpace. Only thing is... would it close off the rooms too much to complete the tray? We have a great view out the breakfast room and I don't want to close off the room more than necessary. But I agree that it's a great idea to complete the tray.
Annie Deighnaugh
10 years ago
No, I don't think it would close it off and it certainly wouldn't block the light. Instead, I think it would help define the space as separate from the kitchen without any walls. We did that between our kitchen and family room...we dropped a soffit that was shaped the same as the island and the flooring. We wanted the kitchen open to the FR, yet feel like a separate space.
TXBluebonnet11
Original Author
10 years ago
Annie, I like your idea and your soffit looks great. The pictures really do help visualize the concept. If you look at the pony wall between our kitchen and breakfast area, this is where our sink will be (basically right in between the two triangles). We don't have room to have a flat area over the furdown or soffit in the center before it starts sloping upwards. So the furdown would immediately slope upwards (if that makes sense), creating another triangle all the way across. Is that going to present yet another design challenge? My husband says he doesn't want to look up from doing the dishes and see yet another triangle that spans the length of the room. (Does this mean he actually plans on doing the dishes when we move, LOL). Any opinions on how this would actually translate? It's so difficult to visualize.

After seeing more photos, does anyone still think it looks ok to leave it alone?
Annie Deighnaugh
10 years ago
If I understand what you are saying, you won't see a triangle at all. If you create a flat wall across the front that finishes the tray (you may have to move those recessed fixtures) from the kitchen you will see the flat wall straight across. If you are at the sink and look up, you will see the edge of the wall and then you will see the angled part of the ceiling as it rises to meet the flat part of the bkft nook ceiling, just as you see the angled part on the sides and back of the tray.

I wish I had an electronic way to model it for you, but I don't have any fancy software. Maybe someone else does. Or maybe you can model it yourself. Take a piece of paper and fold it in half lengthwise, then fold one half in half again, but cheat it so the fold is closer to the center fold. Then create tray...the half is the flat ceiling in the nook, the short quarter is at a right angle to it, the long quarter is angled toward the nook. Then hold it up over your head. That is what you will see when you look up...of course in real life the ends will be flat across the kitchen wall, angled with mitered corners into the breakfast nook, just as the other corners of the tray are angled.
lazy_gardens
10 years ago
They are obvious now because the room is unfinished and bare.

Get it painted and decorated and no one will be looking at those triangles ... between the brick vault and the chandelier it's going to be awesome.

Related Stories

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Great Room Solves an Awkward Interior

By Mitchell Parker

The walls come down in a chopped-up Eichler interior, and a family gains space and light

ECLECTIC HOMES Houzz Tour: Problem Solving on a Sloped Lot in Austin

By Matthew Ankeny

A tricky lot and a big oak tree make building a family’s new home a Texas-size adventure

BASEMENTS Basement of the Week: High-End Problem Solving for a Show House

By Becky Harris

Dark and dated? Naturally. But this '70s-style basement had myriad other design issues too. See how the designer rose to the challenge

GARDENING GUIDES Solve 3 Common Landscape Problems — With More Plants

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: How to Build a Garden in an Urban Canyon

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Skyscrapers, noise and deep shade create an unlikely sweet spot for a timeless green retreat in New York City

DECORATING GUIDES Solve Privacy Problems With Window Film

By Lindsey M. Roberts

Let the light in and keep prying eyes out with an inexpensive and decorative window film you can apply yourself

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: Sustainable Landscape Captures Runoff

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

An underground cistern, permeable paving and a rain garden are part of this Washington, D.C. yard's thoughtful design

DECORATING GUIDES 5 Pet Problems Solved by Design

By Vanessa Brunner

Design-Friendly Ideas for Pet Beds, Bowls, Doors — and yes, the Litter Box

DECORATING GUIDES How to Work With Awkward Windows

By Judith Taylor Designs

Use smart furniture placement and window coverings to balance that problem pane, and no one will be the wiser

LIVING ROOMS A Living Room Miracle With $1,000 and a Little Help From Houzzers

By Mitchell Parker

Frustrated with competing focal points, Kimberlee Dray took her dilemma to the people and got her problem solved

Sponsored

Veteran Brand Home & Commercial Services

Industry Leading General Contractors in Ohio

More Discussions

Pillows selection for a chartreuse sofa.

123

From screen porch to 4 season room

11

Finished Master Bath Pix (well 98.9% finished)

39

Bathroom mirror advice needed!

0

Cottage Sunroom/ Gazebo redecorating

0