Yeah, thanks, I think I am pretty limited by budget to just paint.

It may be worth getting an estimate to see what it would cost to remove the ceiling or drywall over it. Fixing the ceiling also gives you the opportunity to update your lighting with recessed lights. I don't understand how you can hate recessed lights but like the track lights? You can get separate lights to use on your art. Beadboard won't work because you would have seams. And please don't paint your brick fireplace. It's a nice neutral color as it is, and painting it a solid color is going to highlight your textured ceiling even more. I'd just paint your walls and save until you can change the ceiling and lighting all at once.

Thanks. I just feel that cans are harsh, even on dimmers. They do not give atmosphere or soft ambient light, and a straight down light is never flattering on someone. Tracks can offer an indirect wash of light on the walls and can be dimmed to great effect. Enough about lights. The question of the day is how to best paint the ceilings. I am not sure how painting the fireplace would draw attention to the ceilings...

Have your ceilings, ever been painted? If so, you can repaint them. You cannot disguise the texture. It will still be there, and you will need a really thick roller. Be aware that the thick roller gets heavy with paint and so is a bit harder on the arms, when you are using it. If they have never been repainted, you will have to put on a bonding sealing primer before painting (oil base type). Latex paint will destroy the texture on the ceiling and look awful, without a primer. If someone has already done that and repainted them, then you can get by without the primer. Yours are very yellowed, so it will most likely take two coats of paint, if you go with a white. A nice white paint, would lighten your room considerably. Yes, I have been there and done this, in my last house. Thankfully this house has no texture anywhere.

Painting the fireplace would make it more uniform, removing any texture from the bricks, so your ceiling texture would stand out more in contrast. Right now, your fireplace is a nice focal point in the room. You can get the best ambient light from table and floor lamps, and recessed lighting gives you good general light without drawing attentioon to the ceiling like your track lighting does. If you have to paint the ceilings as they are, you should spray them with a flat matte paint. You can rent paint sprayers at big box stores.

My living rooms never have ceiling lighting in them. I only use lamps and the lighting is much less harsh. Your cans are basically acting like spotlights and without any softer infill lighting like from table or floor lamps it's going to have a certain amount of glare or cast shadows.

Thanks for your insight! I assume that they have been painted at some point in the 35 year history of the house, but I might need to test on an out of the way area. Thanks, too, for the heads up on the roller getting heavy. Definitely something to keep in mind. Very different from just rolling a flat surface, right? From comments on other threads I have read about painting textured ceilings, it looks as if a sprayer might be the best way to get even coverage. So your vote goes for white ceiling... OK. Good to know! Thanks again.

The easy way to paint the textured ceilings is to use a sprayer for the paint. You'll need a couple coats. Pros have experience and equipment. If that's not an option, use a long-napped roller designed for rough surfaces: show your photos at your local paint store and ask them to show you the most appropriate rollers. You may need a primer as well as a couple coats of paint. Use white ceiling paint. It's classic and versatile - you can repaint just the walls with a new color anytime without having to repaint the ceiling.

I would paint them to match the walls…flat finish …A color change will just draw the eye up there….

You will never disquise the texture until you either get rid of it or cover it . You can use beadboard or thin drywall and IMO either of those are better than wasting time painting .You can check out cabel lighting but your space is pretty traditional for that type of lighting .

Yes, its very different from a flat ceiling. I tried the long handle, it just didnt work. The coverage from standing on the floor with the long handle, was not good enough, like it is with a flat ceiling, so my advice, get out your step ladder. LOL