My living room is 18x28 with the peak about 23 feet up, but it runs the opposite direction you might expect. The sidewalls are 9 feet, and the roof raises at 12/12, adding 14 feet to the sidewalls. A loft library overlooks the space. The master bedroom rises to about 14 feet, so does the exercise room where I'll have a rock climbing wall. The LR was originally supposed to be wider than 18, but we needed to loose some sq. ft., and that was the simplest way to do it. I read some comments after the build was started about what a bad idea it is for a space to be taller than it is wide, But it really doesn't feel strange to me-- maybe its the library that helps, or the fact that only the very center of the room is super high. I was concerned that the room might seem more like a lobby than a living room, but it seems to be working out well. The ceiling gives it major impact, but the feeling remains cozy and relaxed. I'd be just as happy with the living room if it were 5 or 6 feet lower, but then the sidewalls would be too low for the library space. I really needed a 12/12 roof for the exterior to look the way I wanted it-- it was a matter of angles and the curved topped windows, and the way the lines of the roof meet at the center, supported by a large log post.

Well, you need an attachment point above it. I sprayed the tree with anti-dessicant spray so it wouldn't dry out, drilled a 1/2" hole through the base of the trunk, put a rope through the hole, threw the rope over the support that it would be hanging from, and hoisted it up. Then I put on the lights and ornaments after it was in place. Wish I had a picture to show you, but can't find one right now.

Minimum Roof pitch should conform to region you live in and beyond that it’s most economical to keep the same pitch throughout, lower pitch costs will be lower. Ceiling heights can be adjusted with your truss and ceiling joist layout. In our home we have 9’, 10’, 12’ and 16’ (garage) ceilings. Truss and roof design can minimize or accentuate transitions between 10’, 9’ and 12’ ceilings.

I think the back of the house could use a little dimension...it all seems a little flat right now and not sure how that will look from the exterior? I don’t know if there’s any specific nice view out the back that you want to preserve/enhance, but having 1-2 bump outs might be nice. They could also get you some new windows in different directions, bringing in some different light. For example, you could bump out your living room so it’s not in a flat plane with the rest of the house. If your living room currently has a western exposure (I forget what the orientation is), you could then get north and south exposure by adding windows along the sides of the bump out. You could maybe even add some doors to the outside on the side of the bump out so you don’t have to squeeze by the dining table to access the sliding door - that’s how my house is currently and it is sort of annoying sometimes. I’m not an architect, so I don’t know the term for it, but adding a little dimension along the back might be good, unless you’re going for a super formal symmetrical aesthetic, which I don’t think you are.