OVERSIZED BUT NOT OVERWHELMING
A: You're not the only one crying "help" in the wilderness of too much space these days. According to Gopal Ahluwalia of the National Association of Home Builders, the average height of today's ceilings is up to at least 9 feet, as opposed to the 8 feet that was standard a generation ago before the McMansion craze.
Your 18-footer may be twice the average, but it's not all that unusual, say builders, who cite today's larger rooms as the reason. You really need more ceiling height to balance all that floor space, they say.
In your case, I think painting puts you on the right track. As darker colors push forward - and downward - in the mind's eye, a warmer, richer color will seem to lower the space soaring over your head. So will more detailing that likewise engages the eye. You're probably right to eschew wallpaper, but do consider adding details like decorative moldings.
In the high, wide, and handsome great room we show here, an abundance of traditional moldings helps bring the space down to more human size. Wider crown moldings over the French doors, and classic detailing on the fireplace mantel and along the columned divider interrupt the sweep of the ceiling, so the room feels more manageable.
We borrowed this photo from Mary Ellen Polson's info-packed "Trim Idea Book" (Taunton Press). It's a good place to research a possible cure for your high over-head-ache.
HIGH POINT SURPRISE
What was the surprise toast of The International Home Furnishings Market in High Point last month?
Home bars. An increasing number of manufacturers included in their collections home bars that put up an innocent front until 5 o'clock cocktail time. Although furniture for storing and serving wine is designed to be shown off, front and center in kitchens, dining rooms and family rooms, hard liquor tends to be hidden - during the day, that is.
Not even the preacher might guess that bottles are stashed behind the mirrored or hand-painted fronts of some of these handsome hideaways. And although you'd never know it from just looking, many bar surfaces are being specially treated so they can shrug off alcohol spills. We certainly would drink to that.
What may be the ultimate home bar from a guy showed up at Stetson Home. Totally wrapped in vegetable-dyed leather, it features a top that splits and slides to each side to reveal drink-making space. To see more, go to www.flambro.com or call (404) 352-1381.
Rose Bennett Gilbert is the co-author of "Hampton Style" and associate editor of Country Decorating Ideas. Please send your questions to her at Copley News Service, P.O. Box 120190, San Diego, CA 92112-0190, or online at copleysd@copleynews.com.
© Copley News Service
Comments (0)
Paramus Post News and Lifestyle Online
http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20060521232217624