We have raked ceilings in our new split level extension that follows the fall of the land (and in the rooms that were part of the skillion sections of the old cottage) and I love the sense of space they give and also the fact that the inside reflects what is happening on the outside of the house. We have used ceiling boards (painted white – I didn't want to feel like I was living in a cigar box) both in the old cottage and in the new section and they certainly add an enormous amount of visual interest to the rooms as well. However, I endorse the comments about the added trickiness of light fittings. Pendants with rods are out and pay particular attention to the little rose/canopy thingies that connect pendants to the ceiling – make sure that they sit flush with the ceiling and don't have weird unsightly bits that you can suddenly see because of the angled ceiling. We have successfully used LED downlights with a recessed diffuser and dimmer switches to make sure there is no glare but if the raked angle isn't too extreme they are a definite possibility.

H Brooke, Have you tried an angle grinder on the ridges, very messy though. if you could smooth off some of the very proud joins you could use a thin plaster board sheeting with appropriate glue which is applied by putting a big glob of it here and there, I know they do this on walls Adding a cornice and ceilings light that only reflect light down and not up would also help cheers

Such a beautiful house, loving the high ceilings and all the timber. I also have a black kitchen and I think the black will beautiful with all the timber. I would go black but add a touch of timber as your accent colour. I have a black kitchen, white tops and timber insert shelves. Don’t fight it, embrace it. When its all done, you may just paint out the ceiling beams in white. Love your house, have fun.

This wasn't your question, but looking at a possible boxed out window in the open plan kitchen dining living it shows just how limited you space is. The following 3D overview shows a boxed out window seat. I have run the kitchen along the same wall as the new window, The Island is 2m x 900 with 1m between the wall base cabinets and the island and 1m between the Island and the wall where your plan shows cabinets. If you have/had cabinets along the other wall as shown on your floor plan they will be 600 deep this would make the island 1400 x 900 which is small. Has your kitchen been renovated and were you considering that, if not. Looking at the overall size of your open plan area I would be considering 1 or 2 large stacker doors to open up to the rear alfresco, that's what I would do but you need to choose what will work for you PS I think that the boxed out window at the front of the house is a lovely idea but possibly not right when it faces West.