Here are some ideas, remember color is dependent on room lighting, ceiling color. I would pick out the grey color from the rug (the one you thought was too cold and put it on the ceiling). Then pick a complementary color from the rug you like that livens up the room like a blue or green or gold (unless you like red which is a great color for a dining room). If you decide on a red color, remember that your primer for a red wall must be tinted blue for the red color to come out correctly.

I looked through your idea book and was a bit surprised that you picked an oriental/Persian rug for you dining room. Since you are leaning toward traditional, here are some photos. Note that NONE of the ceilings in any of the pics are white.

Although your rug is not at all like this one, it looks like the same oriental color palette is involved.

roxbury camel
delightful golden
hilton head cream

in addtion, i believe the sage is an excellent choice above, but for blue how about more like

cooks blue orhalf sea fog

If you want to go light and bright how about

I love the way it glows! 2 examples below




hope it helps Have fun.

Could you show us more of the room please?

It would be nice to see more of the room. Here are a few colors I think may look nice with this rug . I would be careful about actually picking out the colors of the rug itself ; but choosing a color to enhance it . These are all BM 1. Shaker beige 2. Annapolis gray 3. Bradstreet beige 4. Baja dunes . These are just suggestions, having not seen your room it's hard to tell!

I so do love that room Bernhardt Gallery!

blue, blue, blue, blue, what is not to love!

Wish we could see more of the room, it would make a huge difference. It appears this room has nice moulding features . I love the idea of navy blue but the OP was not fond of the cold feeling of gray owl:(