that70shouse- I'm interested in seeing your photos so let me tell you how I (eventually) figured out how to post photos using Tinypic. There is no prompt on forum site, FYI. 1. Go to www.tinypic.com 2. Select the photo from your computer using the browse button. 3. On the drop down for resize select "Website/Email" 4. Check the box for "send it via email" so you can keep track of the links later and enter your email or don't if you'd rather not have them have your email (though I've yet to get spam from them) 5. Hit upload and it will take you to a page with a bunch of links for you to copy, IMPORTANT: choose HTML for websites! NOT message board or email. Copy the link from the box and paste it into your post. 6. We then marvel at your mad decorating skillz!

Is it correct that these are "decorative only" beams, and serve no structural function? If so, then ask your builder to give you architectural elevation drawings of the space both ways. Then see what you think. I also recommend that you find a copy of the book by Architect Sara Susanka called the not so big house. I say that because there are a lot of contemporary and well designed homes in the book. You can see what you think when you see them. Her book also discusses how spaces that are too large can feel as though they are too formal and lack intimacy. Since it sounds like you don't want to be too formal, I think you would get a lot out of this book.

You can look for families of lights... You will have pendants, flush mounts and wall lights all coordinated.... And you can keep the soffits if they style nicely like these: Or tear them out and put lighting on top of them if you don't want the taller cabinets to go to the ceiling with crown: Are you working with a kitchen designer? They should be able to put the plans into their design program so you can see the space 3 D. This is important - there are a few changes I would make to the plan... I would strongly urge you to get a full 36" lazy susan in the corner. I have seen the 33" ones and they are not great. Most garbage units are 21" wide ( there are a few 24s) - you don't need t balance the lower cabinets when you turn a corner on each side of the stove - just balance the uppers - the island blocks that visual anyway. Your wall cabinet all the way left of the hood and the pantry right of the ref. will need to have a filler next to them or an odd overlay on the door or extended style - the contractor needs some forgiveness to install level. Even though you are doing a counter depth ref. you should do panels on each side. or the pantries need to be 27" deep.... Just some suggestions! Good luck! Looks great so far!

If it's one inch, it may be worth lowering the entire ceiling. If it's three inches.......maybe just go with it and add a few more and make it look INTENTIONAL and box it in, decoratively. With no photo or drawing who could say?