Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 6/3/2010

Question
Hi Bruce,My friend owns a log cabin restaurant with log walls and a peaked drywall ceiling.It is aprox.18 ft at its peak and is a yellow color.It shows grime and grease especially around the vent areas.Attempts to clean these areas have left wear marks over time.My friend wants to go to a darker color,but isn't sure how dark.The ceiling has recessed and track lighting above most of the table areas in the center of thr dining rm.and drop fixtures above the booths on the wall.The dining rm is approx.100x40.Could you offer any suggestions with regard to color in a rustic design.Also the walls are a lighter wood with darker knots. thank you for your time.            best regards ,ed

Answer
Hi Ed, If it is a rustic look you want, then a color match to the lighter part of the woodwork would make a good base color.  A way to break up the massive ceiling of one color would be to install some fake beams of a darker color to match the dark knots in the woodwork.  The beams can be spaced even 12 feet apart..just to break up the monotony of the ceiling color. I hope this information helps, please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com