I'm an artist. I'm moving into a small, dark 8' ceiling unit. Need to freshen the look on a severe budget. The main lounge, den/2nd bedroom and hall will become my studio/gallery/classroom but still has to operate as a home.

Floor is a mid tone, possibly Maple laminate. Rustic trim is a medium/dark reddish tone. I want to keep these. There are lovely French doors in the red wood which opens onto the 2nd bedroom/studio/den.
Kitchen is visible with a charcoal with reddish spot granite and very dark painted cabinets which I'm thinking of changing to white to match the appliances. There is a beige tile back-splash. Walls are currently mid to deep sage. den has putty/stone carpet.

My thoughts are to go with white contemporary furniture and paint kitchen cupboards soft white. Add a contemporary area rug to deaden the noise in main room. Extend the granite counter top, same height into tiny dining area to side of kitchen and add counter height swivel stools for my students. In hall add mirror closet doors and a modern bar crystal chandelier to add light.

I need a wall colour throughout which makes the space brighter, bigger and more contemporary to offset the rustic finish of the wood. HELP!

I don't have pictures of the new place yet but the walls need to compliment my colourful paintings which will hang throughout; Some pictured below. I've been thinking of a light fresh lime colour but don't know how it would work with my paintings.