How Do I...?

Q. My new home has a vaulted ceiling in the living room. How do I make the room look right?

A. You're lucky to have such a dramatic space. In order to make the room feel comfortable for living however, you will need to bring the scale to a more human level.

Think colour, and think scale. On the walls consider warm shades, and for furniture, especially tables, think about heavier pieces, with thicker legs, and preferably in darker wood tones. Place the seating area on a dramatic, possibly patterned rug. This will help ground the space. Tall floor lamps, in addition to your table lamps, will dramatically light the space, and don't forget plants (silk or real) with height. Larger artwork is a must, but try to resist the urge to hang paintings high, just because you have a high ceiling. A decorator can help you if you get stuck.