Plank Ceiling Installation Progress + Opinions Needed

The weather here has been absolutely gorgeous as of late. You just can't beat 70 degree weather!

I know I haven't posted in a while (long story involving my allergies and a stray cat residing in our office...anyhoo) but I thought I'd share some pictures of our plank ceiling progress in the kitchen. We started the install this week and are about 2/3's of the way finished with adding the boards - then we'll need to install some box beams, put on another coat of gloss paint, and add the crown moulding. I was so excited about the impact that the wood ceiling has on our kitchen so far so a snapped a few photos.

Just getting started...We didn't tear down our old (horrifically ugly) ceiling but just installed right on top of it. We are using 5 inch wide X 3/4 inch thick tongue and groove pine.





A whole row completed...


Two rows completed...We'll be putting beams over those seams where the ends butt up against each other.












Next we'll do the ceiling above the dining area. Hubs was itching to do it this weekend, but we had to bring more planks from the garage to acclimate for a week or so before installing them.


On the subject of beams...one of us wants to put beams *just* at the seams and one of us wants to put beams at the seams AND at the middle of the planks. The beams are not going to be monstrous, perhaps only 5 inches wide and about 4 or so inches deep. We will paint them the same color as the ceiling. Thoughts and opinions would be appreciated!

Here is a view of the kitchen area from the living room.


This is a view from the kitchen into the dining area. The kitchen and dining is one big space.


More beams (one every 3 feet) or Fewer beams (one every 6 feet) ???