Project Design Ideas

In this first picture, notice the "floating ceiling" in parts of the house. This can hide all sorts of things like wiring, plumbing, air ducts, etc, and provides a place to put light fixtures.

It also defines certain areas of the house as "more intimate", versus the more open, "high-ceiling" areas, while still allowing the rafters and beams to be seen above.

In this second picture of the same house, a sort of long box (ceiling), or "cable chase" is attached to the rafters, carrying wiring etc. through the bedroom. Apparently, this also functions as an indirect light source.

these pictures are from:
www.modernphoenix.net/lornahouse.htm