I have seen some interesting ceilings that might work..

There are "soffit" type ceilings that form a 3d grid on your ceiling..

I have seen some put hardwood on the ceiling too.. Or even tin.

"This old house" has some ideas too;

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,220916,00.html

We are also doing 9 foot ceilings on the main floor, no 2 story family room, and tray ceiling in our master bedroom. For the great room, there is crown molding, and a an arched entry area between that and the breakfast room (which flows into the kitchen). I have seen the "soffit" type ceiling with a 3d grid in a model home in the basement...very cool...but maybe a bit much for a great room? Depends on the look you are going for.

I really like coffered ceilings. That might be what people are talking about with the 3d grid soffits; I'm not sure. But they look very elegant and if you are creative, they don't have to be expensive (relatively).

we've got 9ft ceilings and did simple rectangular trays for all the bedrooms (moulding in the master to dress it up), an octagon for the dining room and coffered for the playroom/future office.

office/current playroom

dining room

HTH!

Very nice :-)

Thanks for all the ideas. My wheels are starting to turn a little now :-)

Here's a coffered ceiling in wood-graining.
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It does not have to be a grid of equal squares.
Casey

We put in a coffered ceiling (w/o crown molding) in our GR. It has a 12 ft. ceiling, then arched soffits between it and the 9 ft. ceilings in the remainder of the main level.

Crazyhouse 6: Could you share the colors used in your GR (walls and ceiling).

Thanks!