You need to read some Susan Susanka - different ceiling heights send signals - you can go down to 7 and up even with 8' to make a tray or coffer if what you are looking for is some variety and architectural interest. The bills to pay the heating and cooling on a home with higher ceilings go up proportionally - and there is no more uncomfortable room than one that is normal in size but too high - one can't sit down and feel at ease because of the proportions. . .
Let's discuss this concept in our society of the desire to have an upscale home.
An upscale home (let's say that is your primary goal) is defined by 1. the community it is in; 2. the square footage and views and orientation of the house on the lot; 3. the integration of the architecture and interior design into a cohesive whole; 4: how lovely the things inside are to the people who live there.
Most important element of a home is not that it is upscale. You can't realize this until you are later in life and see that there will always be people with 'more' and always be people with 'less' - a home isn't just a place to signal your status, it is so much more and signals your ability to organize it to serve the stages and needs of the people who LIVE there -
How do you make a space that serves your real life? Space for hobbies, music making, entertaining, playing when you have little ones, entertaining at all ages .
We occasionally have posts from far-flung places where people literally have dirt floors and a roof and we are so happy for them and they are so proud - shelter can be very simple - what we talk about here are the "petty disasters of the bourgeoisie" I am a regular, and know how a beautiful space can help transform ones everyday life, but let's keep it in perspective, shall we?
The most important element of a home - people you actually are interested in visiting inside. otherwise it is sort of a museum of what you think people want to see and not for life at all
Q