vaulted ceilings

hey, 2 questions really. my first concerns my future live room, working on getting it going, each month adding instruments/amps and new mics. I'm a big fan of experimentation, but i'm wondering what experienced people have to say about vaulted ceilings. the room is 23.5 ft. by 17 ft., ceilings vault from 8 ft. to 13'10" along the 23.5 ft wall. THere is a kitchen in an 8x8 corner on the high side. its divider wall is 8 ft tall. Seems to baffle reflections a bit, but aside from some parallel wall slapback echo, to my ears the room sounds pretty decent. Will post a pic in a little while, wanted to post before i went to eat my parents food and watch my little brothers play with fire. Really i'm just wondering if people have much experience with vaulted ceilings or similar rooms, and any tricks or neat discovery's they made that might assist my own experimentation. thanks a lot, bill ps, other question, if the construction/layout/desk had no influence whatever, and the speakers could be place anywhere, where should a pair of hr824's reside in an 11 x 17 x 8(tall) room? willing to build a desk/stands around them thanks

a picture or drawing would help. cheers John