That ceiling is gorgeous.

I think you need to go pretty bold and deep. That will really make that ceiling stand out and give the dining room a richness that is good for dining rooms Great lighting at night will make it luxurious and wonderful in which to dine.

Some suggestions:

BM Green Tea

BM Everard Gold

BM Mystic Gold

BM Raleigh Sorrel

Mystic Gold

You've done a really nice job so far. The ceiling is beautiful.

You can go in any direction with the color...but I think, other than the Lenox Tan, the colors you've selected are too pale. I think a rich color would be nice in there, and then I would push the squares between the coffers even darker. Seeing as the colors are wide open, do you have artwork or dishes or seat cushions that can help steer you in one direction or another?

Or select a design seed to help steer you. For example, if you liked something like this, you could put the slate blue on the wall and a shade of green or tan in the coffers.

{{gwi:2137340}}

Or something like this with the taupe on the wall and the burgundy or peach in the coffers.

{{gwi:2137341}}

We have a coffered ceiling in our enfilade, and it looked ho hum until I put the eggplant up there...then it really came to life...I also have the eggplant on an accent wall in my library that's open to one side and in the wall paper accents in the dining room on the other so it ties it all together.

Thanks for the suggestions. I haven't selected any pictures yet so I'm not able to go that route. I did look at the BM colors suggested:

BM Raleigh Sorrel - I like this but it may be to dark

BM Mystic Gold - I do like this and will get a sample

As you can see I pretty much have a blank canvas so any and all suggestions would be gladly accepted.

Thanks!

Trust me, color selection would be a lot easier if you had a direction first...what's you're favorite color? Do you have china or a vase that you'd like to use in the space? Maybe start with some artwork...or will you want an area rug under the table? Will there be any fabric in the room...window treatment, chair seat?

Or go to design-seeds.com and look for inspiration...

Or go to houzz.com and look for inspiration.

Once you pick a direction, the rest will fall into place quite easily.

Believe it or not, when it comes to paint color, "dark" has nothing to do with the paint and everything to do with the lighting in the room. Conversely, paint color has nothing to do with a room being "light" either.

If the room has NO windows, like a basement room, yes, Raleigh Sorrel (as an example) would not be right because there is NO light to help its pigments. This is also why it's best to not use very light colors in north-facing rooms, because the lack of light to reflect off the light colors causes them to go gray and blechy, murky. People think hat, if they paint a dark room in a light color, that will make the room brighter and lighter. But that's not correct.

In formal DRs, colors with more depth, IMO, are perfect because the room is used, generally, at night and for formal occasions. The deeper colors add an elegance and warmth and richness to a room that adds wonderfully to that ambience. Same reason I would NOT suggest a color like RS for, say, a breakfast room, where you want bright morning light, an airier more energetic ambience, so go with a color that reflects light in a room like that, i.e.: a lighter color.

With the right lighting, decor on the walls, etc., a color like RS in a DR, with your wainscoting, can be absolutely stunning, i.e.: a deep color. But yes, it definitely has to have the other elements working with it, namely lighting. Artificial light, though, does better with deeper colors, like the Mystic Gold, RS, etc. And that is generally what a DR is using, artificial lighting, when the room is being used by people, i.e.: nighttime dining.

Thank you very much for the response, I felt like class was in sessions. Some very interesting points that I had never thought about. I have a few colors that I will be getting paint samples of today:

BM Shaker Beige

BM Raleigh Sorrel

BM Mystic Gold

SW Foothills

I like the depth of the SW Foothills, but it's got a lot of gray and red in it, so be aware of that. Raleigh Sorrel has the same depth but would be a much warmer color than the Foothills.

But, with paint, you never, ever know until it's actually up on the wall. So here's another tip:

Paint a LARGE swatch of each color on each wall, and paint each so that they go up to the crown moulding and, say, the trim around the window. Maybe even hang a small framed piece of decor on the swatch somewhere .

Then, do that thing that movie directors do to frame out a scene. Put your thumbs together with your fingers up to make a box. Then frame a section of the wall that has JUST the color you're testing in the frame, where it meets the trim/moulding/ceilng in it, and the picture you've hung. Close one eye and look through your frame so that you can ONLY see what's in that frame no other wall colors. That will give you a very good idea as to how it will look if the whole room is painted in that color. You'll be surprised now different it looks in the frame than looking at it just standing in the room.

Btw, I would also try BM Danville Tan, which is somewhere between Shaker Beige, which is so light, and the depths of the the other three.

I don't think gold is a good color with your red toned floors. Red and gold reads Tuscan, which was overdone in the 90s. With your transitional dining set and light fixture, it seems to me you don't want a too warm color palette. With no furnishings in the photos, all we see are white, black, and red-brown. We could suggest any of the thousand of paint colors available. Paint should be the last selection. I'd do as Annie suggested and find a rug first.

Rich colours for dining room can make dining experience enjoyable wiping out the dull look. Golden or rust coloured walls can make this happen. By the way your walls and ceilings are really beautiful.

Thank you for the compliments. I did do paint samples on the walls and honestly they all feel to dark for me(BM Raleigh sorrel, SW Foothills and mystic gold). I was leaning towards Mystic Gold but my wife wants it to be just a shade or two lighter. It doesn't appear that the historical colors are on paint strips so how would I go about staying in the same family but my be just a shade or two lighter?

Left to right: foothills, Raleigh sorrel, mystic gold

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SW Fiothills
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BM Raleigh Sorrel & BM Mystic Gold

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Also try SW Baguette

I really like your original SW samples. I have Lenox Tan and I'm a little tired of it. The other two seem a little less in your face.

Went out and got SW baguette today

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Maybe Tinbrix is correct, just a little nervous about going with the dark color. I will say that having the SW paint chips and bringing those home really helped because they do look true to the chips(comparing the baguette I just purchased). I didn't have the BM paint chips and was just going by the color on the monitor which doesn't seem the same once it's on my walls. I will say this is getting exhausting , never knew picking paint colors was this hard!

Picking paint colors is a PITA

I really like the depth of the Baguette. Is it showing a bit green just because of the monitor or camera? How does it look IRL compared to the pic?

Also, I think maybe you missed my post about putting your thumbs together to frame out a section? It's on Jan. 9 at 11:26. That will REALLY help you get a really good idea as to how a color will look in the entire room.

What do you think of something like this?

Above is SW Latte.

This is one chip down from Latte, Hopsack

You know what? Let's start over for a second. Forget about color, per se, for a moment. Ask yourself how you want to FEEL when you're in the DR. Do you want it elegant? Cozy and warm? Etc.

That's really the place to start

Oo la la! How about something like this, spicy, autumnal…

BM Cinnamon

Cinnamon walls to match the cinnamon floors?

Xclusive, SW in my area offers an in-home paint consultation with a designer. I think it's $75 and you get a credit toward a can of paint. What you see in your lighting is reflective color. We only see transmitted color on a computer screen. Paint color advice given online is limited by that and the quality of your photos.

Probably should have posted this to begin with but this was my inspiration photo to begin with although I will be painting instead of grasscloth.

[{{gwi:2137347}}[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/seeley-dining-room-traditional-dining-room-chicago-phvw-vp~214110)

[Traditional Dining Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2107) by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Michael Abrams Limited

I did see a few more pics on Houzz with white trim, red floors and dark rich colors that I do like:

[{{gwi:2137348}}[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/custom-home-draper-traditional-dining-room-salt-lake-city-phvw-vp~395936)

[Traditional Dining Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2107) by South Jordan Home Builders Candlelight Homes

Some other pics I like:

[{{gwi:2137349}}[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/hardwood-floors-and-more-inc-traditional-dining-room-atlanta-phvw-vp~1147492)

[Traditional Dining Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2107) by Evans Carpet & Flooring Hardwood Floors & More

[{{gwi:2137350}}[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/shirley-corwin-traditional-dining-room-phvw-vp~51286)

[Traditional Dining Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2107)

[{{gwi:2137351}}[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/shirley-corwin-traditional-dining-room-phvw-vp~51289)

[Traditional Dining Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2107)

The picture you posted of the dining room I really like! Cinnamon the wife isn't liking at all :) Maybe that's my problem, I want something that is warm and cozy but elegant at the same time. Is that even possible? As far as the paint consultation, if I don't figure it this week that may be an option.

Ah-ha! BM Briarwood

This post was edited by Tibbrix on Sun, Jan 11, 15 at 20:45

BM Briarwood

I have white painted trim and used SW Kilim Beige in the family rooms and hall, but I went darker in the hall bathroom that has no windows. It is SW Latte. I love it, the white woodwork really stands out. I wouldn't change either color. Check these out because on my computer they look somewhat like the colors you like.

BM Brandon Beige

BM Cole Stone

BM Finnie Gray

BM Coriander Seed

It's a beautiful room! IMHO, you are going about this backwards. I would first pick a rug. The rooms needs one to anchor the table bc the table and floors are similar in color and right now everything blends together. Plus the room needs some softness. A pair of drapes would be great too. Then pick the paint color last.

I used Lenox tan in my son's bedroom. It is a gorgeous color.

Pps has a very good point. So does Tibbrix. You should think of what you want the mood to be like. If you want cozy and moody go with a darker color. If you want iy to feel open and more airy then go with a light color.

I am a fan of overstock.com for area rugs. I've always had great experiences with them. Just be sure to read the reviews. Sometimes they will tell what the colors are like irl if the monitor changes them to your eye.

With this rug, I'd go with the gray green and you could either go close in color, darker or lighter in airy. Or you could play with the gold or cream.
Not sure it's your style, or the right colors but may spark some ideas.

What a beautiful space you have created! As others have suggested, starting with "the feel" or the finding the perfect rug may make picking a color easier. Not that it won't still be a challenge but maybe will focus the direction. It seems you are well on your way to creating a simply gorgeous dining room!!

I love your inspiration picture...very rich and classy. I think the other samples you have will be way too dark for your room, especially since the window has shutters which cuts down on so much light.

I think you would be much happier with a color like BM adobe beige which has both warmth and brightness, yet enough body to stand up to the white trim.
{{gwi:2137352}}

[{{gwi:2137353}}[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/paradise-island-bahamas-tropical-living-room-san-francisco-phvw-vp~2080354)

[Tropical Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/tropical-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2108) by Sausalito Interior Designers & Decorators Linda Banks Interiors

Took another trip to Sherwin Williams store to look at colors. I must have been looking pitiful and frustrated because the sales rep there gave me paint chip deck to take home :). Probaly should have done this to begin with to see what the chips look like at my house with my lighting. Would have saved some money I'm sure!

{{gwi:2137354}}

Also on the advice of others went to TJ Maxx Homestore and Kirklands today to looks at pictures and rugs. Not trying to rush but would love to have my dining room done as soon as possible!

I went and got more paint samples and took pictures with natural light and no natural light. The colors from left to right: Raleigh sorrel, mystic gold, baguette, nomadic desert, latte, Kilim beige and Lennox tan.

Natural light

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Starting with baguette

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All colors

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No natural light

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Starting with baguette

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More pics

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This is exhausting, I never knew picking a color could be so hard!! Wish I had a designer to just say paint it this color AND that I would love it!

I like the Latte best of the swatches, and I'd actually go one further down on the Latte strip and go with SW Hopsack, for a dining room, esp. with all that beautiful trim and moulding.

Picking paint is very hard!

I like latte the best andlennox tan 2nd. It's going to look fantastic!

I agree on the latte...very nice.

Ok I added the last paint sample today so it's time to make a decision. I'm going to live with these for a couple of days and them make a choice an live with it :). The colors from left to right:

BM Raleigh Sorrel
BM Mystic Gold
SW Baguette
SW Nomadic Desert
SW Latte
SW Kilim Beige
SW Hopsack

{{gwi:2137365}}

{{gwi:2137366}}

SW Baguette
SW Nomadic Desert
SW Latte
SW Kilim Beige
SW Hopsack

{{gwi:2137367}}

{{gwi:2137368}}

Thanks for everyone's input and I'm taking any and all suggestions!

I like the hopsack! Rich, elegant, sophisticated…and it would make your woodwork REALLY pop and look fantastic.

This post was edited by Tibbrix on Thu, Jan 15, 15 at 17:05

Hopsack on walls. Lovely. Notice how great the white woodwork looks due to the sharp contrast. Also notice the framed artwork on the wall. I'd put gold-framed or black framed artwork up on the Hopsack, though.

Yup…Hopsack.

This post was edited by Tibbrix on Thu, Jan 15, 15 at 19:31

What color did you end up with?

He went with the Hopsack, and it's gorgeous. I'll bring his attention to this thread and have him put pics up.