Do you know what color furnishings you'll be using?

good question... one I haven't thought about?! at least initially the living room sofa will be dark brown leather. My thought with having the same color throughout the house is to create a warm "shell" . I'll then use "pops" of color in each room to personalize them (and also make them pretty easily changed as the mood strikes me!)

Kathlyn,

It is very exciting to build a new home, and so many decisions to make. The pros are telling you that if you want a cohesive whole, it is a good idea to start with a complete plan. Even the choice of what color white trim to place with polished concrete and dark wood will make a difference. A neutral wall throughout will give you a backdrop for the future, and we can recommend some things that you should test yourself, in your latitude and light to see how they flow. I'll recommend some below - but may I also suggest that you go to the library and take out some interior design books - keep building your ideabooks here on houzz and think about how much the layout and function of a place determines how we live ..

You already have a color palette of cement gray, espresso woods. These correspond closely to bm nightingale, bm branchport brown. I suggest you test bm abalone for your walls - http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/abalone

I think the choice of white is going to be really important here - the undertone needs to pick up the cement element (which often has a sort of purple undertoned gray) so I am going to suggest bm atrium white http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/pm13

It isn't cold but it works well with a range of gray tones. If you have a small powder room or another place to add drama - an accent wall or guest room, a deeper shade that works well with these elements and your palette: bm taos taupe http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/taostaupe

and next time you are out, buy one of these. when you own a paint deck you control your universe.

I also like the washcloth method - when you settle on an accent shade, if you can find the right tone in a washcloth, that is an easy thing to fit into a purse and pull out . for just the right shade of green or blue or red etc .. you can lay it over things / next to things and stand back . . it is big enough to provide a big square of color but small enough to carry . .