I continue to look at fans and fan light combos. I am reluctant to purchase onlline without knowing what is possible to hang, of course. I will need to hire help to hang and wire the fixture. Part of me wants to go to a local showroom and purchase it there, hoping that they have installers who will know what they are doing, and I will be able to exchange the fixture if they find a problem with the one I choose. I just have never done things that way - the expensive "rich people" way of doing things! It goes against the grain. My inability to help with this installation really makes me frustrated. I have to rely completely on others and I don't have anybody for this complicated a job. At least now I know about armored cable, thanks, David! And I know I can use surface-mounted boxes and conduit if the ceiling turns out to not be usable for running electrical. How about aesthetics? Does anyone have an opinion on having a ceiling fan rod coming down through a faux beam? If I got that odd fan in the second picture, would you think it looks stupid having the rod coming out of the center of the faux beam? It would have a 18" or 24" downrod (I forget which) to get it at the right height for the room, so it would be hanging lower than in the photo. Please give opinions, even if you tell me it would look stupid.

We need advice for the 2 16 foot ceiling beams running across the ceiling. We were going to go with the 100% Flat Revere pewter from the walls for a little contrast to the ceiling. I would paint the beams the same color as the ceiling then. Because I think 50% Revere Pewter and 100% Revere Pewter look oddly "off" together and I'd never put them next to each other. Part II of that is there's no reason to feature the beams with a different color; they're just beams on the ceiling and each holds a chandelier. I'd keep it simple with all the attention focused on the chandeliers.

Rachel - thank you - you shared great photos - I will post pictures next week after the walls and trim are painted in Dove White. I really like that black paint idea on fireplace- such a bold move but I love the white fireplaces you show which seem safer. Black happens to be in the wallpaper I am currently hanging in the foyer today. Pics attached. Changing trim and walls white all over the house is a huge transformation from my dingy dark trim and walls and I am creating a monster that is snowballing. The dining room rug looks horrible with my wallpaper so I am now in search of a new rug there and one for the family room and now I need new furniture in there as well. Suggestions are welcome from anyone - It is painted Dove white and you can see the new foyer paper with the new blue study. What about a blue or green velvet sofa with all white room. I have 2 cats and someone said that they are not as attracted to velvet. I am not painting the built-ins around fireplace just yet because I have not picked out kitchen cabinets. Maybe I can have the built-ins sprayed white or the blue??? I could also try to change the trim or molding to make them more modern and even wonder if wood shelves would look good to match my dream beams. Ripping out the built-ins and replacing will be costly unless I find some cool furniture pieces to go there. I will also hold off on the painting the fireplace so I can see what the brick looks with an all white room. My painters love me and they come back every two weeks for my next Phase of renovation. : )

I think with the beams I would go with one color for walls and ceilings. It does not have to be white. What you need to know is what are your favorite color combinations and what neutral and what white you like with your colors. I think your bay window could really stand out with a contrasting trim. It would draw your attention to the window and the beams can fade into the room color. Pick colors you love, know how you want to incorporate those colors in your design, then pick a neutral, pastel or white that works with your colors. As long as the color combination makes your heart sing that is all that really matters.