The flat acoustical ceilings that so typify homes of the era are gone. The living room and dining room ceilings were raised more than 3 feet. Now, sturdy wood beams set the tone for the use of natural materials in the home of two nature lovers. A clerestory window soars above the bay window in the living room, flooding the home with natural light. Throughout the home, larger windows, and more of them, bring the outdoors in.
Skylights also lighten things up.
And to avoid that dark, chute-like appearance when looking up at a skylight, opaque windows were set in molding at ceiling level over the skylight openings. The master bedroom is cozy but filled with light. In other parts of the home, the ceilings were also raised and walls moved without affecting the exterior lines of the house. The family room bump-out, for instance, took a little space from the garage. The bedroom ceiling was raised by simply going into the attic.