I would pick up the lighter tan color of the shells - perhaps a latte color - for the walls. The white from the comforter will pop against the walls, as well as the woodwork.

White does not have to be boring, White walls do not have to be the same white as the woodwork. The woodwork can still be a focal point with a softer contrast to the walls.

What's your preference for the 'mood' in this bedroom - is it the master?

Going with a soft white will make for a very serene space with the other furniture pieces I can see - with mid to dark toned woods it will be lovely.

The blue is lively and fun and creates a very beachy vibe with your comforter - is that the direction you want to be going?

I would not pick up a color from the shells because on my monotor they have quite a bit of gold in them and gold walls are not my favorite but that's my personal bias. I don't think a latte-ish color will blend well - too cool with the shells and it's going to look like a swing and a miss. But you're seeing this in person and can better judge the actual colors.

Kat: I'm starting to love the lighter look, more and more. The heavier wall colors are great as well, but looking at the comforter you've picked, I would definitely go for a creamy white or soft buff color, even a soft taupe. Either one will be a nice contrast with the wooden bed. And as for the trim fading into the walls, I like that look too! Perhaps painting the trim creamy (not stark white) and the walls just a shade darker, will still let the trim show without being such a contrast between the two.

Pick up a copy of Sept's Traditional Home...there is a beautiful bedroom in mostly all white, light taupe/grey walls, white ceiling, white bedding, camel bedskirt with a few dark lines here and there (curtain rods, desk and chair) Just beautiful!

PS..I like the comforter!

If you do stick with bedding I think that your current wall color could work. Especially if you added accent pillows in the same color to the bed. Otherwise I agree with kgibbins on a latte color. BTW, I brightened up your two dark pics so that we can see the room better.

{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}

I'm a lover of all things white...I don't think white has to be boring at all!

I love your bedding...looks so fresh. I really like it with the white furniture as showing on the package, but you likely don't want to paint your bed.

I could see your room with a creamy white (not stark) on the wall with this bedding; you've got great lighting with that wonderful big window so I don't think a creamy white would look dingy/dull at all.

You could take a look at something like Benjamin Moore White Down (or even Natural Linen-but this is darker) for the walls and Cloud White for the trim.
Test, test , test though...white is hard to get right!
(tester pots and foam core board are a wonderful thing:))

I also like the blue currently on your walls and am considering this shade for my office...I want fresh & cheerful. Do you recall the colour name by any chance?

I like the current wall color, but I don't think I like the bedding with it.

Since you are not 100% decided on the bedding, I would probably just spend time looking at inspiration pictures before deciding what to do next . . .you have such a pretty room and bed, and you could take it in many different directions. Since you are open to changing both the paint and bedding, I'd rather you find a look FIRST that you adore, and then go for it, vs. trying to accommodate a wall color or bedding. In other words, this is not a time for a Band-Aid solution!

The wall color is great.....the bedding is too cute.
Your room is classic good looks....the bedding beach house cute.
I would keep the wall color. It's lovely, restful and cool without being cold.
Take the shells back to Marshall's and look for some white bedding. With all the white woodwork and the very traditional bed, white would be great!

The walls remind me of water and the bedding of the beach - so I think they
go great together . Do you want the style of the bedroom to be like a beach
cottage ? If so , I would paint the bed white and keep the walls and bedding .
I would bring in more white with the accents and other furniture in the room .

Gosh, thanks everyone! I knew I could count on you guys to give me great advice, you all never fail! Thanks so much for lightening up those pics too! I'm embarrassed by the mess in our master bedroom, but the one messy pic shows almost the exact color that the walls really are. The chair won't be staying in that room, and the other furniture will be re-arranged.

I would love to have a white bed, but my bed has great sentimental value. My father built it out of natural cherry and my mother finished it for us when we moved in to our last house years ago. Sadly they are both gone so it means even more to me now.

Dlm2000 I saw your post and then ran out the door for the evening so I thought about what you said the whole time I was running around. The words I would use to describe the feeling I want in this room are:

Tranquil
Simple
Soothing
Classic
Vintage

Now, that I'm back home for the evening it's been great to read the other posts and to take in what everyone has said. We live on the water (a very large river), but not the ocean so the colors surrounding us are less tropical. I find myself drawn to pictures of simple farmhouse bedrooms filled with things the owners love and with white walls as a backdrop to showcase them.

I will read and re-read your comments over the next few days and think hard about what I really want from this room.

Thanks so much, I really do appreciate how total strangers on the internet can be so warm and helpful...it never ceases to amaze me!

Kat :)

Oops sorry Lisa, the name of the paint is Azurean by Pratt & Lambert!

Kat :)

Take a look at the thread oceanna and others put a lot of time into, in case you have not already. Maybe it will help you better form your ideas!

I think the natural wood of your bed with light (doesn't have to be white . . .you could go for cream) walls would work very well with what you are looking for.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cottage Ideas

Keep the paint that I adore and do all white bedding and the white woodwork, it will be outstanding! I am sorry but I don't really care for the quilt at all, I think it's boring...tan shells on white. There are all kinds of quilts that will have that teal blue in them if you want another quilt! Nice room and nice windows with a view.

I love the wall color too, not so much the bedding, especially if you're going for a farmhouse look. Have you seen the many inexpensive but nice patchwork quilts they sell now? Those are the epitome of farmhouse.

I agree with those who said you can still do white. There are so many shades of white out there, and someone here not long ago posted a room with white walls and white trim, but in different shades. It was gorgeous!

and balance out my wild wall color (which I sometimes still like!)

I don't think your wall color is so wild to begin with, but most colors are going to look overwhelming until you finish the room. Pictures on the walls, drapes and a permanent bedspread/comforter would reign in the color.

You need to love, love, love your bedspread. It is the place to splurge because it will drive the rest of the room. I would leave the walls alone for now and find a bedspread you love. Since the bed is so meaningful to you, look for a bedspread that accents the wood. Picking your wall color will be a breeze after that.

I know you are going for a simple farmhouse look, but a rich paisley comforter maybe?

If you keep your current wall color (which I really like) and go with white bedding, here is a link to a white matelasse coverlet from Penney's that I think would look good in your room. I purchased this for my guest room and I really like it. It is lightweight and it is easy care too. (I "dewrinkled" it in the dryer with a wet towel before I made the bed.)

Here is a link that might be useful: matelasse coverlet

Lesmis, based on the feel you have described for the room, I think you are on the right track but could do better. I, too, have found great deals on quilts at marshalls and tjmaxx. I'd keep your eye out for patterns that are a bit more vintage and soothing. Also, for the vintage look, consider mixing patterns. Checks, stripes, florals can all work well together with a few common colors. I like to combine various florals but it can be hard to start with mixing florals. My TJMaxx has has had a couple of options with a subtle floral pattern on a white background-- paired with a similar stripe or a linen duvet cover would be gorgeous, simple, tranquil and classic vintage.

I'd keep going down the path you are-- but don't settle. Stick with your vision.

Thanks everyone, if we end up keeping the wall color, my husband will be a very happy camper!!! I found this quilt on the PB website last night...what do you all think?

Anele and Chicadeead, thanks so much for the links!

Kat :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Pottery Barn Quilt

lesmis picture this - buy the coverlet in white from JCP that chickadeead linked to AND the PB quilt. Make the bed with the white coverlet then fold the quilt at the foot of the bed. It looks like it will work with your blue walls and that would make one stunning bed and the feeling in the room would be all the things you are seeking.

The sale price on that coverlet and sham is wonderful - I put them in a shopping cart and am off to look for a shipping deal!

I love dim's idea! The Pottery Barn quilt and the white coverlet, with that wall color and the right art would be really serene and lovely.

Your bed is so beautiful---and even more special because your father built it-----

It is truly a work of art.

I lke the white coverlet with the colors in the quilt-

Florence---