Dilly- If you have the option...I don't know that I'd do a vaulted ceiling. If the beam was running the other way, dividing the kitchen and seating/eating areas, I think it would look really cool. As it is, I think it will detract from your design...range is not centered, island is not centerered...and that beam is going to be going across the entire space. Of course, it's up to you and your DH, but a flat ceiling would bring the focal points back to your bay window and banquette, your views, your fireplace, your range hood, your island pendants, etc. Notice Deedle's picture and how your eye sees the vaulted ceiling and it draws you to the fireplace (which is centered) with matching cabinets and windows on each side. Follow the line back and the pendant lights and the island are also centered. Just my two cents :)

Oh yes; the floral panels or Roman shade will be temporary, or just for summer use. I could do a floral Roman shade and add solid drapes, in the proper width, to coordinate with a bedspread, couldn't I? It's the "imaginary" green, floor-length, pleated, full, drapes that will be lined, interlined, weighted, and fussed over. Yes, we've caulked and foamed and insulated and did everything short of casting spells on the new Marvin windows. They're light-years ahead of the old, single-paned (pained?) warped-wood things that were there originally from 1952. As for my bedding...there's a reason I haven't posted photos, LOL. We've been doing so many other projects (ripping out 1970 shag carpeting, refinishing hardwood floors, tearing out the bathroom and redoing it from the studs outward, plumbing, painting, and planning the new kitchen) that the bedroom has suffered. I don't think that's right, and I've set my mind to make the bedroom look at least pulled together and "charming" before summer gets here. It has a new Pergo floor; it didn't have hardwood to refinish. The 1970s paneling was removed; the walls have been repaired and painted. The crown molding and trim is installed and the closet is ready for its shelving system. Once I have the dark sage drapes on the sage walls, I plan on making a couple of quilts/bedspreads that will be various shades of green, ivory, beige, and with touches of either red or purple. I have a dark green plain bedspread, and a beige one, to use with the "temporary" curtains. I can pull out any one of their colors, probably a beige or green, and use a solid bedspread in that color. I'll also be adding a large area rug that will fit under the bed and extend out about 30-36 inches on each side and at the foot. It can be any color that works with the sages/naturals look. For today? I have sage colored flannel sheets on the bed (it's still cold here) with a 1980s mauve pink and dusty blue quilt that my dear SIL gave me. It's topped with a king-size sheet covered with yellow roses. Aren't you glad I didn't post a photo? LOL My Harry/hairy dog naps on the bed. I keep the queen-size bed covered with various flat king-size sheets and change them often. It keeps his hair off the bedding. He's an 80-lb. hunting dog who thinks he's a tiny lap-dog puppy. He's my heart and "no" is a word he does not hear. (Unless his health or safety is concerned.)

We have a similar beam across the LR, which was originally built as two rooms. Most of the seating is on one side of the room, with a chair that always sits under the beam, but when we have a large group, we pull in a couple of extra chairs. No one seems to notice, or to feel uncomfortable sitting under the beam, which is only 82" from the floor. I sat in one of the extra chairs on Sunday, and didn't even think about it. Dedicated practitioners of Feng Shui might not agree, but I wouldn't worry about it.

I thought i did post pics with post. Let me try again