Ask the Expert 
Wood Ceilings
QUESTION: Okay, so I'm moving into a fabulous new house in the hills that might as well be a cabin. Wood exterior, wood floors, and wood beam exposed ceilings. Which is all great, but would be better the place weren't nestled in the shadows of trees--meaning very little light comes in. The wood ceilings only enhance the cave-like atmosphere. I was ready to paint them white until my landlord refused to allow it. The walls are already white (which I find boring). What can I do to lighten up the ceiling and the space without doing any major renter-forbidden projects?
-- Kandice from Hollywood, CA
ANSWER:
Lighting is your best friend here. Think of your space in terms of zones and provide lamps for each of those zones. Typically lamps work best in triangles so think in combinations of three; for instance in a bedroom, try two bedside lamps with a floor lamp. Lighting over your art work will also add life to your space and up lights can be effective in lifting the ceiling visually. Take some photos to a lighting store and they can help guide those decisions.
About the Designer
Michelle Lavoie’s twenty-five plus years in hospitality at private clubs and luxury hotels lead her to founding Calgary-based, A Man’s Home, in 2007. Given her lifelong love of architecture and aesthetics, shifting her career focus was a natural leap. Since most of her career was spent working for and with men, she developed an affinity for addressing their needs (hence the company name). Her goal is to create spaces that reflect the personalities of their dwellers; homes both inspiration and refuge. She works with a broad range of budgets and design styles that are as enticing as they are cost effective. Michelle hails from ethnically diverse Ottawa, has lived in four provinces and has called Alberta home for the last 8 years. Food, travel and all aspects of design continue to inspire her.
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