Thank you all so much many of you suggested darkening the ceiling and leaving the beams the way it is to avoid too much work. What color did you guys had in mind?? isn't a lighter color suppose to open the room? Talianko and Hyde Evans and Shauna? ( I preferably will love a rustic lighter wood look, and the beams but does sound like a mission to get it done as sanding varnish on the ceiling might take me forever but if I get brave enough I might do it Sstar. Brio I do so want those curtains gone they are shocking :)you haven't seen the outdated blue couch yet... but I have to decide in the colors of the walls first :) I am inclined to have a rustic look for furniture... more like farm style and I also like wash off colors...my next vibrant color that i want to add is yolk yellow ( don't roll your eyes that will be in a cushions or a vase a picture) I am very impressed with all your answers and thank you all so much for taking the time to help a girl out :)

Wall sconces are for additional lighting mostly decorative you need ambient light, task light and decorative light in a space the downlights are the best way to get ambient light which the allover light you need then lamps for reading or any task that requires good close lighting and then your sconces

What is the best kind of lighting for a large living/dining room with a gabled/vaulted ceiling? I am thinking of lights at the top of the walls facing up flooding the ceiling so as to reflect downwards?

Hi guys. Any advice GREATLY appreciated.I have a 2 storey 1970s townhouse. It's one of two, attached by a concrete block wall. It had a roof replaced (cathedral ceiling) and since then cracks (gaps?) have appeared between the ceiling and wall seam. Just here and there, not everywhere. Also a gap between the concrete block and wooden trim of the drywall down the length of the house in one corner. This has led me to notice that the upper floor/lower ceiling in that corner isn't straight! You can see in the photos that the cinder block is higher in the corner! All the window frames, doors and the rest of the walls/ floor in the two rooms are level. I have looked under the house at the foundation and can't see anything scary. Could the house have been built like this? Or has something occurred? I can't see any cracks in the cinder block wall. And any advice regarding the gaps that have appeared?