Allison I don't see a house in your picture? What am I missing? I want to see the fugly house! :)
Might be because my DH is one, but IMO if you are building or opening walls/ceilings you should make sure there is a lighting designer on the project. They are often subbed in by the interior designer or architect and they specialize in function first design. They are always thinking about how you will use the space, where you will want to have outlets, lights, how you will control them and from where, etc. A beautiful decorative is beautiful but may not provide enough light; a good LD can help place other lighting that supports your tasks without detracting from the lovely decorative. They will go to bat with the contractor and electrical contractor as needed, and provide support to them if they have difficulty with installation or support.
I, too, am depressed by the houses that look like big garages attached to tiny houses.
My ILs recently bought a house on a gorgeous site facing a salt marsh, but we feel utterly Lilliputian in it - everything is big - the doors are extra wide and high, the windows are huge, etc. It feels like a Supersize Me house. (It's not ADA compliant, either, I did think of that but the counters and knobs are regular height, there are high thresholds, and no full bath on the first floor). I guess I finally understand what scale would feel right for the huge, extra deep sectionals that I see advertised at RH and others!
Q