a rangehood built like those fire places where the flue goes all the way up..?

I agree with Jen no built in or shelvings it's nice as is..

Some art pieces hung on the wall, this would make it look less like a kitchen and look more as just one part of the great open space. Lovely room.

Hey Kelly - if a rangehood is something you need that makes sense, but I wouldn't put it in there if you don't have to. we have vaulted ceilings in our last kitchen and just didn't end up needing the rangehood (thank God because it was so expensive to put one in as our cooktop was on an island, and then with the high ceiling...). A nice open wooden shelf in the same wood tone could be nice for visual interest with a vignette of cool objects on it, perhaps arranged mainly to the left side of the shelf? Also - have you thought of putting another window in up there? That could be stunning. I can't see what lighting you have in the kitchen - perhaps some pendant lights will also help fill the void a little?

This is the renovation I was referring to. http://www.domain.com.au/news/renovation-ben-callery-brings-light-to-victorian-weatherboard-in-westgarth-20160317-gn66b8/

I love the large table but I would look at changing it to be length-wise in the room.

As Joanne Fosdike said - something artistic above the windows, whether it be a picture, sculpture or even plates.

Just a thought.. We had same in a number of our rooms and found the beams to be decorative only, and therefore could be removed. Might be worth checking (?)

Yes we are exploring options currently for the beams. Construction wise they are posing to be difficult - mainly because we need to get the insulation in. We might also install the beams in a decorative sense as well. We just had some more images done. We're thinking we might install the bulkhead and have some open shelves and just the one window

Hi kellybarnesy, what I would really like to see, even more than my earlier post re putting art on the end wall, would be if you were to replicate the big window which is over the sliding door, perhaps for privacy reasons that is not workable, and I know that would be a huge undertaking, but I think it would make the space. Leave the beams, they are the major feature of the space. Personally I think the small window in your latest mock up, looks like an add on, and does nothing for the overall look, it is different to anything else in the space, sorry to say. Good luck.

Thanks for all the comments! The small window is to let the sea breeze in as we are trying to make the house thermally efficient. We are worried that corner of upstairs will be really hot in summer. We dont want to add a bigger window as it faces the west and will reduce our thermal efficiency due to heat ingress in summer.

We really wanted to have exposed beams, although if we can i will reduce the spacing as they are a bit too busy at the moment. Yes i think we need more negative space as i dont want too many things competing. Perhaps the shelf length to the right of the rangehood needs to be reduced as they look too long, and then we will get some negative space.

And i agree we have to be very careful not to have too much wood. Perhaps i need to reconsider the use of the wood on the island? Instead perhaps a dark or light grey stone or concert. Oh and i forgot to mention, the fireplace is incorrect in my first image, it will be a combination of natural rock and white gyprock right up to the ceiling. It won't be wood as depicted in the image. Some extra 3Ds of the upstairs....

hi kellybarnesy, one more comment, I realised after my last comment, unless you are in love with your chairs, I think they are really impacting on the overall busy look. If you could simplify the chairs, get something plain and not wood, I think that would help?! and a lot cheaper than having to remove/cover beams! Once again I am sure you will sort it out and good luck.

To assist with harnessing the sea breeze suggest a beautiful long narrow feature window that follows either side of the pitch of the roof (which will let in a lovely sky view plus breeze), or just have the top triangle as a window.

Understand the desire to have the small window there however in a room with big glass/window features, the small window looks like an after thought and is at the wrong scale.

How about a lovely wallpaper? We have beams as well and lots of all white walls. The wallpaper just breaks it up and it's a uniform pattern so it works well.

You could also put a big clock on the wall as well.

How about a trio of black pendant lights (simple shapes, perhaps a bit mid-century) hung from the centre beam (over the bench)?. I do feel it needs something - but perhaps not art, as you want the lovely clean lines above the kitchen to stay as a focus. If you used art, the shape of it might "fight" with the lovely shape of your ceiling. I love the style you have already.

Janet

Ps where did you get your chairs from - nice! Thanks Janet

Hi- I just saw your post from September - I agree with the advice you got from Oskuee then, would look great. Sorry , I feel like I am spamming you now....Janet

Hi, Just wanted to add my bit, would have to agree to paint the beams same as the ceiling or gyprock over them, great open plan house and your chairs look ok to me. Just adding some photos that might give you some ideas, if you haven't finished everything ,good luck

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This is our ceiling.

Hi Kel B, much improved, lovely, enjoy your new kitchen!

Wow, looks fantastic

It does look great now we're trying to help you with the living area, lovely table