Today the two open portions of hall ceiling got (re)closed up with a ton of construction glue:

And screws:

Finally looking less construction-y. Hope to never have to open this back up:

Mudded:

Imagine the same treatment on the other end of the hall ceiling too. Then imagine the upper walls that lovely blue, the grille in, the lights back in, the ceiling painted gold, and the trim reattached and painted white. October, we promise.