Well we have cleaned the place up a little bit (so we no longer look like squatters) but more like devout minimalists. This room is SO big it is hard to even grasp from a photo. That is the same 10 foot long sofa from our A-frame that took up the entire room and it is just floating in a sea of rust carpet with one lonely Smith chair in the corner about 10 more feet away. How the heck am I going to fill this space?! Anyway… we are still living in limbo until construction starts so only unpacking the essentials. Mostly we are waiting on me to finalize designs and get all the materials on order so we can kick this big ole project off and the real reason I am writing this post is because I finally made one big step in the right direction.
It took some major deliberating but I finally made my decision on the plan for the ceiling and flooring materials and I’ll tell you, it wasn’t easy. Really, it was the first decision I had to make before any other finish decisions could be made. Those soaring wood paneled ceilings were one of the main things that drew us to the house in the first place and whether we were going to keep them as is, try and refinish them, or paint them was debilitating!
While I have made up my mind (for now), I had to run through every possible combination because… designer brain never stops. From the realtor photos the wood looked very orange… it is, after all, the 80’s pine wood tongue and groove. In person it doesn’t look nearly as orange and it does make the space feel special. So once we saw the house in person, I initially wanted to keep the ceiling wood because it is what sets it apart, however, the house is dark and of course I want to brighten it up (getting rid of that rust carpeting will help). Having darker tones on the ceiling and the floor isn’t an option with me, so that meant I would have to go light on the flooring and from what I found, that was getting expensive quick (yes terrazzo, I’m looking at you). I also did not like the idea of having wood on the ceiling and wood of a different tone on the floor (like in the kitchen), that is just too much. The more I thought about it, the easiest and most cost effective route was hands down to paint the ceilings white and do light oak wood flooring throughout. It is light and modern but warm, very California and very simple to execute. It would definitely brighten and unify the spaces compared to all the different flooring materials that are going on right now. And of course I found a bazillion beautiful examples of white painted ceilings…
This one is white/bright on the ceiling AND the floor and I love every last detail.
From the book Surf Shack shot by Brittany Ambridge.
And this one with the painted white ceiling and a light grey/concrete looking floor, I would definitely take it.
Design by Gordana Golubovic, photographer, Lauren Moore via EST magazine.
And then here we are with a painted white ceiling with light wood flooring looking stunning as usual.
Found via Casa Vogue
and then again (by amber interiors). See what I mean? Easy Peasy. Except, I apparently am not one that likes to go the easy route.
So back to keeping the wood ceiling… do I refinish it and see if we can restore it to its more natural color? Do I roll with it and find a light wood flooring that goes with it (no), do I paint the dark stained beams only (I think so) and find a white/light flooring to go with? Can I do poured concrete on a second story? What if I splurged on terrazzo in the main living spaces and source other light/whiteish floorings for the other rooms? DING DING DING! winner winner… at least for now. I haven’t fully pulled the trigger but I’ve got all the material estimates in hand and I’m holding my breath while I wait for the labor costs. It’s difficult splurging at the very beginning of a renovation when you know there is a very very long road ahead of you, but that is the plan and as soon as I made that decision things started to come together for the rest of the house. So I think it will be worth it.
While I did find a ton of inspiration for the white ceilings I found it WAY harder to round up any that felt like me with the natural wood ceilings, which has me a little freaked tbh, but I like to push myself and the few I did find are pretty spectacular.
Especially this one… wood ceiling, white floors and all my favorite golden warm tones. YES!
Via Atelier Vime
and this one from This one breaks my rule of no wood on the ceiling and the floor but they are drastically different tones which makes it work and the incredible fireplace and little wood nook (a mini version like the one in our house!) more than makes up for it in this stunning space.
Found via @interiortonic
And finally, this one also has the wood on the floors and the ceiling but the kitchen is beautiful and can’t you just see this being Clover and I in a couple years? One could hope ours will look this good, as right now I am in a sea of wood, on wood, on wood, on a rusty wood color in our kitchen (below).
Jessica De Ruiter’s home via The Hive, Photo by Miha Matei.
Along with keeping the wood ceiling as is, I am planning to use a mix of different flooring materials throughout the house in the same light ivory/whiteish shades to keep it cohesive. It will be some combination of terrazzo, carpet, and cement tile. So there we are, one decision down, 8,000,000,000 more to go. Unless of course you guys can change my mind… but really, what would you do?
To see all of the posts on this renovation check here.
Branding and Initial Web Design
Nature
Web Design Production
Jane Reaction
Site Development
Alchemy + Aim
For a minute I thought you were going to paint those ceilings! Whew. Once painted, it’s so hard to go back! While I really like the white ceiling inspiration you’ve sourced, it feels a little “Yeah, I’ve seen that” to me. I’m glad you at least are giving them a chance, and you can always paint them at a later date if things aren’t working the way you would like.Also, wood ceilings might feel a little warmer during colder winter months. Can’t wait to see your progress on this beauty.
I am so happy you decided to keep the wooden ceiling!! We have them in our house and it’s one of our favorite things. I had the same flooring dilemma and decided to go with a very light white washed wood. You can see the finished pics at my blog.
So glad you decided to keep the ceilings and go with terrazzo! I feel like the white beam ceilings / wood floor thing is everywhere and, while beautiful, I’m already kind of over it. , The wood ceilings will keep your space unique and timeless. Plus I never mind mixed flooring if it’s done well. Can’t wait to see this play out!
We have two living spaces with vaulted ceilings/beams (orig wood from 1978) and during our reno last year, they were painted white. Our floors are a medium-warm hickory wood, wide-plank, matte finish. I have been really S-L-O-W with decorating, partially b/c I’m overwhelmed by the space (it’s huge, like you’re dealing with) – it alone took me for-ev-ah to find two 10′ sofas that weren’t gonna cost me $10k (and those were found after the several months I had to work on my husband regarding the floor plan, we were not in agreement – I won, FYI 🙂 ).. Anyways, since the house is kinda barren AND those ceilings/walls are “all white” – it’s def a lot of white. I’m glad to hear you are seriously considering how to handle this important piece of your design puzzle.
Emily Henderson went through something similar with her mountain house, they ended up “walnut blasting” the ceiling to change the wood tone:
https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/mountain-fixer-upper-ceiling-blasting
So glad you are going to keep the ceiling wood right now. I think painting is the easy way out. While it looks beautiful, I also thinks its been done to death. I’m kind of over it. I can’t wait to see the terrazo! and really can’t wait to see what you do to the house as a whole. It looks like you can really stretch your creative muscles here.
Oh yay! I’m so happy you’re going to keep the wood ceilings! White would be the easy thing to do, but it’s all been done before and you are queen of pushing the envelope! Can’t wait to see the progress!
Hi! I’ve never commented before, but I’ve been such a fan since your cabin days. I’m certainly no designer, but I do live in Canada and it’s so easy to make design decisions in our impossible to beat summers like Michigan’s, but then winter rolls in!! Have you considered how (literally) cold marble type flooring will be in our winters? Will you be putting in radiant heat floors to compensate? Just some thoughts I had as long, cold winters are inevitable! I, too, have a large space that I’ve been paralyzed over, so I Can’t wait to seeyour design! I love your work!
Best,
Melissa
Yes. Definitely doing heated floors. Tile even in Palm Springs was too cold for me 😂
This will be so gorgeous! And those ceilings are really too special to cover up. Terrazzo and concrete are likely to be quite cold a lot of the year (and downright icy in the middle of winter). Are heated floors an option? Rugs will help, but those hard surface/stone floors really hold a chill.
White and wood is light and warmth. I’m going to love following your journey with this house!
I’m trying to figure out the exact same dilemma in my new house! Except instead of the rust carpet (they saved the rose carpet for the master) it’s parque flooring throughout the main living areas & kitchen. Painting is definitely the easiest, brightest, and most cost effective option. However, it would be cool to keep something original to the house while you reno everything else. You could make both work in your design, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you follow through with! Xo
I see what you’re saying with the white ceilings and I’m not one of those people that thinks its a sin to paint wood but in this case I do think it will be pretty stunning if you can work with the wood. The space is so huge and there’s so many other opportunities to lighten it up. I think you’ve got the right plan!
Do not paint those ceilings they are so special and I think you will be sad later. They make the space so cozy and they go so well with the beautiful nature views and trees outside! It’s something your kids will remember when they get older and tell a friend about their house growing up 💛
I would paint the ceilings white, put down light natural wooden floors and paint the window frames black.
I love your ideas. I feel like I’ve seen enough painted white ceilings so I’m so glad your plans are different! Good luck with all the planning!
Please please please do not paint those ceilings 🙏🏻 I think the world (aka, internet) needs to see that it can be done, and beautiful, and you can make that happen! As a designer from MI, it would be refreshing to see design inspiration (in the form of this reno) that isn’t trying to be California or southwest inspired. Michigan is a great state, with great design history and people (again, the interwebz) need to see that!
Was that too much pressure?😂🤦🏻♀️Sorry! I’m SO excited to see this happen right in my own backyard. Best of luck!
Are you at all nervous about doing terrazzo in a colder climate? I grew up in the Midwest and always hated walking across my parents tile floors in the winter. Seems more practical for Southern California’ s climate?
So happy to hear you’re keeping the wood! I can definitely see how hard it would be not to jump in and paint it all white (which would be beautiful) but in the end, with the right flooring, etc. the wood ceilings are going to be such a statement! Kind of mixing the clean California vibe with the “house in the woods” look that’s happening inherently with the whole house. Can’t wait to see! PS, I sourced Terrazzo for a hot second last year when picking out flooorng for our remodel and WHOA. I had no idea it was basically the most expensive flooring in existence! Such a bummer! Especially when I know people who have it in their homes and have covered it up!
I literally gasped when I thought you might lean for a minute toward painting those ceilings!! Jessica De Ruiter’s house was the exact image that came to mind, and I was thinking “wood on ceilings and floors surely CAN be done!” – so happy that you’re considering it. And so perfect for your Michigan home.
Emily Henderson recently posted a big introspective on wood ceilings/floors and also re-finishing options for the ceilings in her vacation house!
Can’t wait to see the progress, this house is just so perfect.
Makes sense! This is a big decision! I would probably paint it but the inspiration photos of wood ceilings are really appealing too.
Sooooo excited to follow along!
Ohhhh so happy you’re keeping the wood! White can be good, but living in a midcentury style house in the middle of the woods, I think painting would take away from that. If it were on the beach? Oh yeah! But the middle of the woods in Michigan–definitely keep it 🙂 We struggled with the same choices with our mcm ranch! It took some time to figure out how to work around certain original features to keep the vibe but yet make them work while still updating and keeping it all cohesive. Cannot wait to see what you do! I’m still google eyed over Mandy Moore’s renovation <3
We were just looking at flooring today for our new (to us) home and we have pretty light wood ceilings and beams everywhere. Almost like a pine that hasn’t yellowed. Anyhow, they’re a little higher than average, and several sales reps cautioned us against wood flooring bc matching would be nearly impossible, and the overall effect can make the room feel much shorter in height, which I also see in some of the inspiration pictures. You have really high ceilings, so could perhaps pull it off, but I really like the idea of stone look flooring. We’ve actually been interested in some organic composite flooring that’s easy care. Some come in click system versions, others are glued down. Something unexpected and affordable and also fresh looking. I would totally splurge on terrazzo for a couple of entertainment areas and do some organic composite flooring everywhere else. I was also really impressed with the way cork flooring can look so modern these days. Definitely check into that. We currently have polished stone flooring everywhere in our current home and it’s freezing. We only have mild winters and wear wool Birkenstocks as house shoes in the winter, so that’s saying something. Unless you can get underfloor heating I wouldn’t recommend stone/concrete in your everyday living spaces.
Hi!
First of all, congrats on taking the leap to move like you did! I remember, when I moved to Milan in 2009, everyone thought I was mad for moving somewhere I had never been to before, but that leap of faith gave me so much confidence!
Secondly, I definitely think that in an home that does winters (I’m currently living in Switzerland), you will be thankful for those warm darker ceilings. As to wood on wood, it works when it’s the same wood IMO and when it’s not varnished.
Can’t wait to see what you’re thinking up for the rest of the house!
Enjoy, Béa
Hi there!!! I would definitely keep the ceiling wood as light as possible and also do wood flooring… maple perhaps. I think the rust carpet is what’s throwing you off. White is the easy route . Worst case scenario you paint it later!!!
Btw so excited you are in Michigan!!! Also excited to see what you do with the space!!!
It’s going to be amazing! I love the terrazzo flooring you did in Mandy Moore’s house. I was wondering if terrazzo tile is an option?
My first thought was nooooooo! Don’t paint what happened to the terrazzo!?! But you tricked us all😁. I agree , keep the wood ceiling, maybe look into the European lime washing or walnut blasting to lighten it naturally, and LOVE the idea of terrazzo floorsixed with cement tiles elsewhere in the house. Can’t wait to see what unfolds! Good luck!!
Nothing like making us wait until the end to find out!! I too am glad that you are working with the natural wood first, it would be really hard to go back once you painted.
I’m so selfishly thrilled. I recently moved to a place with these ceilings and tan carpet… I was so wanting to rip out the carpet for hardwood and paint the ceiling white…didn’t di it and can’t wait to be inspired by your work.
Hi, I just bought a house which looks much like yours, along with the wood on the walls and some of the ceiling (same shade as yours). We have parquet flooring in a similar tone too which we very much intend to keep. We can’t decide what to do with the wood on the walls and ceilings (albeit not all ceiling space is covered-the house is more alpine style with steep roofs and these are partially covered). The walls will have a cream colour with one accent wall dark green in most rooms to keep a natural outdoorsy vibe, and the ceiling space not covered in wood will be white. But whether to paint the wood, I just don’t know! Such a hard decision! I think you can have too much wood and that is what I’m thinking about my house but I’m also trying to find a way to lighten things up.
I agree with everyone, don’t paint them! I love the wood look, especially in that house! I too am wondering about the house in winter. Our family lives in Michigan and it gets COLD! I’d ask some locals about winters so you don’t spend $$$$ on floors too cold to use!
Thanks for sharing.
Amazing plans! If you do end up wanting to pour concrete, I used to work for Concrete Resource LLC out of Lansing. They do second stories, and tons of creative customizations.
Someone mentioned the terrazzo and concrete being cold. I live in the south so that’s not an issue here but my mom has almost an entire house of tile flooring and my sisters is entirely terrazzo (original) and my feet get so sore when i spend a few day at their house. I’m used to my wood floors and it seems to be much more forgiving on foot comfort. I do love the look of terrazzo and concrete but just thought I’d mention it if you haven’t lived in a space with those hard surfaces and you like to be barefoot indoors. I know you will make it beautiful no matter what! I also can’t wait to see how you arrange the living room. Mine is huge also and I’ve struggled with the right furniture set up to fill the space but keep it still feeling minimalist.
Yes, totally agree with what a previous commenter said about the winter months! I grew up in Minnesota and while our home was light in the summer, it was BRIGHT in the winter even without full sun. With the reflection from the snow and trees without leaves, I can see the wood ceilings being a nice cozy touch. Love that you’re keeping them and can’t wait to see how everything comes together. That inspiration kitchen with wood ceilings/floors is dreamy!
On the point of cold winter months, while you are splurging on terrazzo you could treat yo’self with radiant heat underlayment in focused areas like the kitchen and baths. I inherited this in my current home and LOVE to crank up those floors on cold days!
Definitely doing heated floors. The only way my Cali bones could survive a whole MI winter 😂
Paint the wall first then consider the ceiling, because I love both looks.
I would absolutely paint the ceiling white and go light oak on the floors… BUT! I don’t have those killer Samuel instincts for design! You always get it right. I’m sure whatever you choose will be no different.
The *only* thing I would caution is to make sure you like all those knots. Going lighter will probably make them stick out even more.
I am so glad that you are keeping the ceilings. I am not opposed to painting when it is the best option, but I think painting the dark beams lighter and going with a lighter floor will look spectacular. Like you said, painting would be the easier decision, but I am excited to see what you do with this challenge.
In the middle of a cozy, snowy, January day, you’ll be thrilled with the warmth of your wood! Can’t wait to watch the process unfold…
Ok, this is totally reminding me of a dilemma that Canadian designer Sarah Richardson had in their cottage they were renovating. Her husband loved the wood, she loved white the episode takes you through all of it, but I believe they watered down the white paint for the ceiling and it was amazing. In other places they did 100% full strength paint, but I loved the watered down version. It lightened and brightened the space, you could still see knots in wood, and it was best of all worlds. You might consider finding some images to see. Anyway, regardless of what you pick, I know I will love it bc I love all you do! Good luck!🍀
So glad you’re keeping the warm wood ceilings!!! Love your choices for flooring. We just renovated an 1870 house outside Ann Arbor and put in radiant heat under our original pine floors and it’s amazing. Michigan winters are awesome but heated floors in Michigan winters are delightful. Good luck!! Can’t wait to see more.
Love to see what you are doing to the house!
Terrazzo and stone flooring seem very cold to me, when it comes to cold long winters. Just a guess
Yes but heated floors!
I agree with everyone that keeping the wood ceilings will be more special and exciting. I’m confident you’ll make it amazing. Can’t wait to see the progress!
If you’re going to the expense and hassle of a full-on gut renovation, it is absolutely worth your time to find out about installing radiant floor heating. We did it in both our bathrooms when they were being renovated 2 years ago, and I will never regret the 5% they added to the project cost. Holy cow. Best decision I made in that whole process, to the extent that I’m trying to figure out how to retrofit it into the rest of our house. And we live in Santa Cruz – not even all that cold. Definitely worth pricing out.
And yes, keep the wood on the ceilings. It is special and irreplaceable and in good shape currently. Great choice!
Yes! Totally. Doing the whole main floor with radiant heated floors!
Hands down, you HAVE to leave the ceilings! So gorgeous and special. White seems to overdone, and the wood really fits the space. xx
I would keep the ceiling as it is. I would possibly paint the beams white. For the money you will save keeping the ceiling the same (and it’s stunning) you can put that money into the flooring. A win- win chicken din 🙂
The ceiling is what makes this house “groovy” in my opinion. Excited to see your progress photos.
Yes yes! Totally agree
I love your decision. I’m a big fan of white ceilings in general. But after seeing the gorgeous setting around your new home, the natural wood seems so right-on. All of those lush green trees! Plus, you are adding lightness to the floors and walls so those ceilings will add such a nice natural warmth. I’m so excited to follow along on your renovation adventure!
I’m a fan of the ceilings and beams being painted. Emily Henderso just had this exact dilema on her blog with trying to keep her ceiling natural and has contemplated now painting it white because she can’t get the natural ceiling the tone that she wants. I don’t think the white would be overdone because your interior finishes are going to be unique and amazing and the ceiling being natural might compete with that. Best of luck with either choice! Love following the progress!
Great decision! It’s going to look incredible.
I love that you’re keeping the wood. It seems fitting for a woodsy Michigan house. White in LA, natural in your new state. The white mixtures with the brown? Yes yes yes.
how about you brighten the cealings with oiling it white or liming it after the wood is sanded – that could be a good in-between-solution!
I’m so excited to see the progress and I love the idea of keeping the ceilings natural, You may have already seen these images and not had them resonate but I love Luis Barragan’s home with the exposed wood ceiling in the living room. And casa eduardo prieto lopez also has stunning ceilings. maybe some good inspo?
Ah thank you! I’ll check it out. C
I feel ya’ honey. I have a Pacific NW Mid Century gem that had the same dilemma – a dark, woodsy home with beautiful original tongue & groove arched ceilings. Like you, we decided to preserve/keep the ceilings and opted for the wide plank, white oak floors. Five years later, the only thing I want to change is to drywall those ceilings! It’s STILL so dark and it changes the color of everything (upholstery, paint, artwork – especially at night). I also do not have can lights so my dream is to lighten by drywalling over (I want smooth cuz I’ve got texture coming out my wazuu in the furniture and accessories) and by drywalling, I can install flush mount LED can lights. It sucks to rely on lamps etc.- it’s never enough lighting and the cast of light on the ceiling makes everything orange. Like me, you love texture and architectural details. In a year or so, I think you’ll find that the house is less about the ceiling and more about the other architectural details. Hugs & Kisses and thanks for taking us on this journey!
Oh man. I hear you. I have recessed in the living areas but zero over head lighting in the bedrooms. We haven’t even unpacked lamps so it’s permsnantly dark in there. Ha
I have been checking your blog religiously to see updates for your design plans, it’s so exciting! I love the soaring timber ceilings and that skylight, oh wow. I can’t wait to see what you have planned and how beautifully you navigate the design challenges. Also, just wanted to add to the consensus- our (rental) home has polished concrete floors and by the end of the day my feet are weary from the hard surface, especially as I walk up and down the hall rocking my baby to sleep- plus I worry when she’s crawling/walking it will be a hard surface for her to fall on- is this a worry for you, and how would you child-proof hard floors?
Ah yes! I’ll have to invest in some good supportive slippers ha. I do think about that but I’ll have large area rugs with generous thick padding and hope that’s enough! I’m also going to have carpet in the big living room so I’ll sequester her in there for 1-4 years 😂
Great choice! The wood ceilings will also be so nice in winter when everything is white and cold outside!
I think so too!
I agree, Anne! The white ceiling/light floor pictures are pretty for sure, but they feel kind of Scandinavian and dare I say just a smidge cold; definitely not Sarah’s style. Keeping the wood tone of the ceiling seems to honor the original style of the home and it brings in a lot of warmth. The photos with the wood tone have so much soul (especially that first one–GORGEOUS!!) I just love the look.
Good luck, Sarah!!
I’d paint them white! Clean and bright!
I am totally with you on the challenge. I agree you should keep the ceilings/wood as it is. I feel like it adds a ton of character. Have you considered pickled plywood floors? They would be much less expensive and give you a chance to experience the space to see if there is a better alternative. There is a great blog on pickled plywood flooring DIY. It looks amazing and for around 300 bucks a room… can’t be beat. Good luck whichever way you go!
SOOO pumped you’re working with those ceilings. When it’s hard to find insipration images you know you’re blazing some trail. Can’t wait to follow along!
I read a lot of blogs, and no one ever says they plan to use carpet, so absolutely cannot wait to see what you do.
Haha right?! I’m gonna bring it back. 😂
Try Seagrass!
I am personally not someone who can have really light colored floors. Half of my house is currently white tile, and it drives me crazy that five minutes after I clean them, they look dirty again. If it was me, I’d paint the ceilings white and do a floor that would show less dirt. That said, I’m really intrigued by keeping your ceilings wood and doing light floors. I’m so used to seeing the opposite that I’m intrigued to see how it’ll look. It’ll be interesting to me (being from northern WI) seeing if you can make terrazzo, which like concrete feels/reads “cool” to me, into something that works for those cold Michigan falls and winters where one tends to crave coziness, especially in a house with such huge rooms. Anyway, if anyone can make it work, you can. Really excited to see where you take this house!
I love your style and respect your choices. I also live in Michigan and encourage you to research terazzo in our climate — which if you recall, is very cold for a good portion of the year!! Haven’t taken a super close look at your design drawings, but I hope you’ve got a big, convenient mud room. I think you’ll appreciate something to accommodate the boots and down coats and skates and backpacks …. Seriously, welcome back to pure Michigan!!
Ah yes! A proper mud room is definitely lacking unfortunate but we do have a couple good sized closets near both entry doors which will have to do the job. Not ideal. But on the tile… I wouldn’t even consider terrazzo for a second if I wasn’t installing radiant heated floors. Tile is too cold for me even in Palm Springs! Ha
Yay on not painting!
We have a 1978 shed style home we purchased a few years ago with redwood on the ceilings and a few walls as well. I wanted to paint immediately but my husband loved it. Now I can’t believe I ever even considered painting! The natural texture adds so much life and warmth to every room. Of course all our walls are white, floors white tile & polished concrete (we are in Southern California). Glad you are doing heated floors as well – we will do that when we replace the floors upstairs (white carpet currently).
I cannot tell you how excited I am to see what you do with this house while staying true to the awesome 70s modern vibe – it is very difficult to find inspiration for this Era of home!
Please please please keep the wood ceilings! Painting them white seams too overdone, too formulaic, etc. Plus, once you paint wood it is difficult if not impossible to go back!
I’m so glad you’re going to keep the wood ceilings! I think they’re really special looking and I also think they’ll make the space cozy (while still keeping it air) come winter, when everything outside is snowbound.
I am having the EXACT same dilemma. My partner and I just purchased a home that was built in 1970. I was initially drawn to the wood ceilings, but now I’m wondering if I should paint them white. Our beams are, unfortunately, also painted dark brown. Can’t wait to see what you do! Keep us posted so I can copy you 🙂
So excited to see how you transform the space. Whatever you choose will be wonderful, I am sure. We have vaulted wood ceilings throughout the main living spaces of our house (wood is old growth cedar so we are never painting it) and wood floors and it works. The wood provides texture and warmth that would be missing otherwise. Having said that, we also get a ton of light so that isn’t an issue we have to confront. Looking forward to following your journey!
My hubby and I just bought a 60’s slant home with an abundance of windows and a full 14 foot wall. To top it all off, we have wood beamed ceilings. We are so excited to start renovating inside and out, debating on painting some of the main beams black, and keeping the rest natural wood. So glad we can go through this process together!