gk5040 - space between ceiling and trim is 11 inches. If we put up crown, it will be very modest, probably the same 3 inch trim we currently have in the dining room, which would leave 8 inches to work with, so the mid-point would be 4 inches above the window as recommended by nanny2a. I also like 1sandler's idea of going as high as possible if it will make my 8 ft ceilings look taller. kmcg85 - thanks for the link! It's always nice to have a reference guide. parma42 - The two marble top pieces (chest and table) were my grandmother's and I just love them. I also have her marble top wash stand in my foyer (not pictured). The arm chair with cream fabric was my other grandmother's, refinished and recovered by my mom. I often say if it wasn't for hand-me-downs, I'd have no furniture at all!

I’m not sure why it didn’t make it through, I did originally have a photo. Hence the lack of full explanation on my part. For what it’s worth, the windows are recessed about 4” and 10-12” high. I hadn’t thought of plantation shutters, would that work for small windows? I’d thought about motorized shades, but I wasn’t sure if they’d wore in such a small space, or look odd with the normal blinds below. I’m not super set on being able to open and close it so long as whatever I put over them has moderate light filtering property. I was mostly thinking long curtains to make the height of the wall work for me instead of against me, with tie-backs on the side for when I want the light.

I wonder if some kind of very tall interior shutter was used originally. I had a similar situation of not wanting to hide my interior historic window trim and having a very tall window. I got roller shades made of a nice, high end material. It had a long pull cord so I could reach them to pull up and down. It was really nice to not have a curtain hiding the beautiful trim. (Most people think of crappy roller shades, but custom made ones can be quite attractive.)

Our builder quoted 18.5% increase for the construction and finish of higher walls and to scale trim, doors, windows, garage doors, etc. That's a huge house that'll come with a high pricetag ... and you're talking about adding nearly 20% more just for extra-high ceilings. There's a reason more people aren't building this high. It isn't that people haven't thought of it, and it isn't that people aren't willing to throw money at it. Seriously, rather than building these super-high ceilings throughout the whole house, consider doing a high cathedral vault ONLY in the living room. This'll give you the wow-factor you desire, and the difference between the living room and the adjacent rooms will have more impact than extra-high ceilings throughout. You can do some fantastic things with cathedral ceilings -- take a look at the various beams, etc. that are possible. Your kitchen cabinets will end way below the ceilings as will any other wall furniture (book cases etc) unless you go custom, and cabinets/shelves that go 12' up the wall will be impossible to access without a full on ladder. Changing lightbulbs etc will always require a huge ladder. These are practical considerations. And I just think it lacks coziness and is a lot of extra cost for space you can't actually use. Yes, the only thing you'll get from this huge price increase is a wow factor. Remember that when you have rooms that aren't human scaled it has the potential to just make people feel vaguely uncomfortable without knowing why. The ceiling height needs to be in proportion to the size of the room as well. I know someone who also has a double height ceiling room like my living room, but that room is narrower and it ends up looking disproportionate and doesn't work. Yes. Do your best to go see some houses with these proportions. I really think you're unhappy in your current small space (I remember those days), and you're swinging the pendulum too far in the other direction. With 10' ceilings in the kitchen, I'd seriously consider a stacked cabinet arrangement. Like this: Do look at the prices of stacked cabinets. Like your having to walk through the kitchen work zone to get to the master bedroom. Or having the pantry on what should be a window wall. Or where you'll put your bed in the master. Or why you need double doors into the master bath. Yes, this house's layout has some problems. I would not trust an HVAC guy to give me an estimate on monthly heating bills - that is not in their wheelhouse. Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Your heating /cooling bills will depend upon the quality of your insulation and windows + a number of other things, which your HVAC guy can't predict about a house that doesn't yet exist. Want your guests peeking into your master bedroom when they use the loo in that powder room.....? I think this powder room was placed for back-yard convenience, but it'll be a pain for other use. In closing, definitely consider doing a cathedral ceiling in the living room only.