Are you painting your cabinets or purchasing new ones....new layout?

Keep the ceilings as is! If you paint the kitchen ceiling, I am afraid you would have to paint all of the ceilings..... it would be a piece meal change if you only painted the kitchen.

I'm blowing out the walls between the dinning room and kitchen/living room, putting new kitchen layout with an island, new off white/wood cabinets combo, stone tile floors, white quartz counter.

I like your ceiling, so wouldn't paint it. it's got style!

Don't paint your beautiful ceiling. The kitchen is a bit dark, but a lighter countertop would make a world of difference without ruining the ceiling. Also, I think a stone backsplash to match the wall in the living room would be lovely, but that's just me.

Your ceiling is gorgeous! I wouldn't touch it. In fact, I love the whole space.

In my opinion, don't paint the ceiling. Way to pretty and to much work.

Agree, leave the ceiling as is. Do you need the kitchen window shade for privacy? If not, I'd remove it to lighten up the room. Nice house!

what a cool house. love the floor to ceiling windows. I like the wood. yes it's a bit red. perhaps there is another stain someone could apply over it to tone down the red? other than that, I think it adds wonderful character. why don't you wait until your kitchen is redone and re-evaluate?

If you take down the wall, your hand may be forced to redo/paint the ceiling if it's not finished underneath.

If that's the case, I'd definitely try to leave the beams wood-toned.

The house is so classic and beautiful as it is. Why in the world would you want to tear down walls?
I would not do all that if it were mine.

Beautiful home! I wouldn't paint the ceilings either.

I agree with milos this change might force your hand and really I think the beams left and the ceiling painted the same as the cabinets would really lighten up the whole house.

I love the house and ceilings and I wouldn't change much except the lighting maybe.
Just my opinion but are you sure you want to do kitchen white?
It has such distinct midcentury look with wood cabinets....

I would put some grey tile instead , some modern furniture and different lighting fixture . But if you want to do kitchen white this is the look I love.

I love the ceiling as is but I also love white white with wood beams. It's a personal choice. Are you switching out the furniture to MCM? If so, I would love to see a Nelson pendant!!!

Wow that is a beautiful home. I love mid century modern. It's perfect. Love all that wood. Please don't make those changes! I couldn't agree more with Flo you will just devalue it by painting the ceiling and putting in white cabinets. That idea is for a different style house This is special!

Don't touch it. Just add some color in the fabrics and textiles that go well with orange. I'm think a dark teal would be nice in throw pillows,dining chair seats, etc. Just a sprinkling here and there to make the statement that your decor is deliberate and designed to enhance the orange ceiling.

Please, please leave as is. You have currently have a historic gem.

I think you could take your cue from this kitchen and consider keeping most of your kitchen as is but change out the counters,backsplash and upper cabinets....don't throw the baby out with the bath water :)

So yes keep ceiling as is but paint white only if needed after wall comes down....

Modernist hearts are breaking over your plans...

The wood looks gorgeous. Here are some of our designs to help you with your choice of painting.

I think Alex has left the building.

I try really hard to be positive and supportive of homeowners and posters and, ultimately, the desires of the homeowner are they only things that matter. BUT the plans for this house are testing me. Such a gorgeous, architectural home that is possibly going to become another pretty but generic, "e'rybody got one" remuddle.

i have to agree. homes like this, in original condition, are few and far between. The woodwork on this ceiling isn't for everyone. I get it. but this is some gorgeous work. and goes with the style of this house. I can see taking down a wall (maybe) to enlarge the kitchen, although it looks like a good size already. but to open up everything like a barn and paint the wood white, I have to wonder why this house was purchased?

Ceiling stain color can be changed-I see it where I live all the time. I LOVE that house-at least what I can see of it.

I'm hoping Alex comes back to respond I'm interested to see her response to the feedback. My DH and I had an opportunity to purchase a Frank Lloyd Wright designed home and unfortunately is was just too above our budget but to this day I long for that home and remember how special it was inside and outside. Sigh.

I don't know why it was purchased either, it's not a white kitchen kind of house that's everybody's house. The thought of painting that ceiling makes me cringe.

I don't think it is a question of IF the ceiling stain can be changed, it is a question of SHOULD IT BE changed. Most here would keep this home in its present state except for perhaps re-inventing the furniture, lighting and other features that are not permanent to increase the light and interest for the homeowners.

As I have stated many times...I'm not a wood person. BUT, to change the wood in this home is an architectural crime.

I truly appreciate all the feedback. I love my house and know how special it is and that is why I wanted opinions to think through all options. What I'd like to do is expand the kitchen and bring in more light. I love the modern transformation of many mid century homes today so at this point just a lot of brainstorming.

If you really want more light, have you looked into solar tubes? They are amazing and would really brighten your kitchen without too much trouble. Check that out. Thanks for being such a good sport and enduring all our "panic attacks"! lol

I love the modern transformation of many mid century homes today so at this point just a lot of brainstorming.

Phew! Beautiful home Alex.

Thanks for being such a good sport and enduring all our "panic attacks"! lol

yes, lol :)

I wouldn't touch the ceilings! See how you like them when your kitchen project is completed.

I love your cabinets and ceiling but can see how the kitchen would be dark to work in. If you are just looking to lighten up the room, first take down your window treatment as it's blocking almost half of your solitary window. Your present countertops are lovely, but dark. Lighter countertops would change the look. The existing problem of inadequate overhead lighting needs correction. The single fixture hanging in the middle of the room isn't working for you at all.

OK. I understand your dilemma more now. Still don't touch the ceiling but here are some kitchen ideas: