I love the general concept of beams and adding beams, but in this space with the ceiling as it is in the drawing, I think adding beams at lower levels makes things too busy architecturally, considering the soffitt and all of the other planes, angles, and openings.

Depends on which room it is! If you're spending a lot of time in there, a lighter colour is best because with warmer colours, it tends to bring down the roof a bit if that makes sense - what did you end up doing?

I'm about to take the plunge and re-paint the lounge. It is long, narrow, with high curved ceiling. In plan shape it's like a slice of cake :-). I hope the pic shows it well enough. I'm standing at the other end of the room, which is basically 5m of stacker doors to the deck/archgola. The colour is Dulux Brick Red. I've been agonising over colour - I'm after a coastal vibe. I'd like to maybe wallpaper the short wall with the Island Lady triptych on it, to give some interest and contrast. I'm thinking Resene Robin's Egg Blue, with the end walls Resene Inside Back. I've been playing with a free design programme and I've run out of brain space! Would love to hear any comments, advice from other Houzzers please!

ie is there any benefit in particular to have ceiling white paint?