The house is built in the mid 80's , and the prior owner started to update it by painting *some* of the woodwork white. There is still some original dark wood trim that I really don't want to repaint. The rooms are neutral but somewhat boring. It is very light and bright in the front. What overall color(s) would you suggest, keeping it open but contemporary. There is a kitchen, family room, informal gazebo dining area, master and two hall bedrooms and two baths. I don't have any furniture yet, just starting out

Here is a link that might be useful: Photos of Home

I'm not 'into' painting rooms various colors since *I* feel it disrupts the flow. My whole house is a very warm tan, and what looks to be about the color of your MB, if that's tan. You can accessorize with any color, and change as often as you like, if the walls are neutral.

If you do decide to paint, bring a little bit of that same color into every room w/accessories, bedding, etc. Until you get some furniture, it *will* look boring. I don't think it's just the color of the walls.

If you don't mind me putting in my 2 cents, I think I would finish painting the trim. It seems to stand out and make windows, doorways, and baseboards more obvious. It the trim were more substantial, I think I would leave it. Good luck!

How about a pale French Blue? It's sort of a grayed blue, and would probably look great with your cabs.

My last post was meant for a different thread. I guess if you REALLY are in LOVE w/blue, a whole house full of it could work. LOL

Well I like both your ideas , patty cakes! Maybe it was a good mistake.

Do you think a French Blue/grey would look good with *my* cabinets and tones too? Should I paint the kitchen and lower level a neutral blue/grey, with the main living and bedroom areas neutral tan? Would one room break the continuity or add pop?

My other dilema is the beam on the family room ceiling. It is a dark wood stain, and I am hesitant to change that, as it may match future dark wood furniture selections. It would be sooo white against the off white vaulted ceiling. Has anyone played with their beams? Live to regret it or love it?

I think a blue would be stunning, providing it's the *right* blue and not too strong, like a Robin's egg blue. The tan IMO, would be very sophisticated~think Candice Olsen, she uses those 2 colors quite a bit.

I would leave the beam. It's a structural feature and not necessarily a decorator feature unless *you* want to play it up, ie., w/dark furniture.

Start looking at blues! ;o)

Benjamin Moore's virtual fan deck:

http://benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/portals/bmps.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=fh_explorecolor&cachebuster=Fri%20Jan%2008%2023:46:35%20EST%202010