The rise in your ceiling is so gentle that I don't think it needs to be featured. If you are choosing a soft neutral color for your walls, I would paint the ceiling the same color, to make the shape of the walls seem more natural. Your room needs better lighting almost everywhere, and I agree that you need a larger, lower chandelier over your table. I'd also recommend the following steps, before you make a big investment in furniture. Move the big picture toward the corner cabinet, so that its center lines up with the center of the table, and hang it lower, so that the top of the frame lines up with the top of your china cabinet. If your corner cabinet is not a valuable antique, paint the inside to match the wall, which will lighten the look of that corner. Take everything off the top of it, too. Try shifting your loveseat another foot away from the wall, and move the console that is now along the long wall to stand behind the loveseat, facing into the dining room. Use that wall like an art gallery, and cover it with pictures you like, and your children's drawings in inexpensive frames. Add a more substantial end table between the loveseat and the wall, with a larger lamp. Try shifting your larger sofa forward into the room, at least a foot away from the railing, add a skinny table behind it, and a nice pair of floor lamps to stand behind the outer ends of the sofa. Find a big, rectangular mirror and hang that vertically over your drop-leaf table in the living room. It will open that wall visually, break up the space, and reflect light from the window into the room, as well as add some sparkle and glow. Consider replacing the two unrelated shelf cabinets in that end of the room with a pair of very tall, slender bookcases painted to match your walls, perhaps with a deep contrasting color inside the boxes. Move everything that's now in and on top of your two cases, as well as all the photos on the table, into those bookcases, to unclutter the surfaces, and pull all those things into some sort of order. Then you'll have room to put a lamp on that table as well. Those changes should pull your nice things together better, and solve the light issue, and then you will know what else you want to do.

It depends on the beams. I live in the SW and it's funny how many of my fellow mid-westerners move down here and seriously consider painting ceiling beams. Here they are called vigas and they are a MAJOR architectural feature. Many of them are custom from Santa Fe. I remember one guy mentioned that a couple were "cracked" and didn't they need some spackle? :~D Um, nope. Ya don't spackle or paint vigas 'cuz they're actually pretty impressive and important just the way they are. So it depends. If you look at those beams and think ooogly "railroad ties" then maybe you should paint them. If you take another look and appreciate how they might be a very important *part* of the overall architectural style and construction of your home, then maybe you will embrace leaving them as they are.

We have given thoughtful consideration to all suggestions - thank you. I would like to ask another question - not sure of Houzz protocol about starting new thread so forgive me if I err here. We have a beautiful elk antler chandelier and thinking about where to install in the new house ... great room is obvious choice. We could hang it from the middle beam in the room - other opinions? Here is a pic. Size is approx. 42" side-to-side and it is about 28" high ... without the chain. In this picture we don't have a very high ceiling in the entry so had to squish it close to the beam.. PS To give you all an idea of our aesthetic, my husband is a bow hunter and ranch/hunting style house is naturally where we lean ...

Celerygirl-Thanks! I could have totally done a Super modern home or even a really cool Spanish style home! Love the photos you posted...although I’ve had my interior figured out/dreamt about for quite awhile now. ;) Rmsaustin-I might not do arched on the exterior...it adds quite a bit of cost...and I’m not sure that I want the curves there. I’m ok with doing straight outside and arched inside. On 75 acres and 1/4 mile off the road, nobody will know the difference anyway..lol. I didn’t really care about the kitchen design being laid out on the draft. I am pretty picky and knew I would change it anyway. I am doing a large Rangetop on the left wall (against the pantry). Double wall ovens at that lower left corner of the kitchen before the “bar” space. Double drawer fridge under island facing Rangetop for often used cooking items like butter, diced onions/peppers/etc. NO sink or dishwasher in island...just workspace. A much larger sink (48 inches) at window with DW on either side. Column fridge/freezer as well as a baking center on the right wall. Fridge will be sort of by the corner, so it opens into the intersection of both aisles. Bar space will have coffee/tea center, microwave (popcorn). I did find out when I started laying out pantry that I should have made it bigger...lol. Decided against changing plan for an even larger pantry anyway. Basement will have a cold storage pantry under front porch. My last Garden was 40*60...I’m going larger this time, dreaming of a huge greenhouse, and have a 3 acre spot for my orchard. I can’t wait do do lots of canning..so need a lot of storage for my supply of farmtotable food. :) There is an exterior door between the pantry/bar that will go do a 12*18 covered outdoor kitchen (as well as larger deck). So lots of focus on eating here! I have my family on a very healthy diet..and having space to spread out so we can all cook will be awesome. My 14,13,10 year olds all cook/bake. The oldest wants to make/sell goat soap, so I’m sure I will be wishing the kitchen was larger in no time! :)