For the kitchen, you might try something like BM Yarmouth Blue, a gorgeous blue which makes you feel like you are in the sea.

For the family room, use a nice neutral, then get your color in paintings/posters, drapes, decor. I'm surprised that, with south facing windows, it doesn't get a lot of natural light.

If you want to go with a coastal theme, I would definitely paint the trim white. BM White Dove is a great color for trim.

I'll try doing some mockups.

Woodlawn Blue is also a beautiful color---not too overpowering for a kitchen, I don't think. It's not washed out but it isn't dramatic either.

Love that second one, especially! Really complements the existing finish colors.

The south window in the family room (actually, the window in the picture) is next to a covered porch, which has a good sized overhang. It is also shaded by a very large tree in the neighbor's yard , and a vine-covered structure in ours.

Yes, I'll be painting the trim. The family room is the only room without painted trim (it's an addition that was added in the 70's). Actually, all the trim all over the house is different colors (yikes!0, so I'll be painting them the same white color.

I wouldn't change the family room paint until the woodwork is painted white and your own things are in the room. You may find you like it!

I'd go with a neutral like this in the family room

"that coordinates with the existing tile/counter/flooring."

Definitely agree.

If you like the color in the family room, but it is washed out, can you select a darker shade of the same or similar color?

tiibbrix, that first blue color really made the kitchen come alive. It looks so much better. The color you put in the FR makes the space look much warmer and friendlier. If I ever need to repaint I know whom I'll ask for color advice.

Lol@ingrid. Any desire to reimburse me for the seemingly billions I've spent on sample colors myself? Lol.

Paint color is one of those, easy to say, not so hard to do things! But the two places to start aren't even what color a person likes but the light in the room and how a person wants to feel when they are in that space. Took me a couple of years and a collection of paint samples in my basement later to figure that out. Took me three samples to finally get the kitchen wall color right for the recent reno.

I'm flattered, though, by your compliment. My broker called me last night to ask if I would go over to their new build some time soon and make paint color suggestions. She and her husband loved the BM Midsummer Night brown - an almost black brown - I had suggested for their kitchen in their old house, which was gorgeous and even I was blown away by how amazing it looked. For me, it's just fun!

tibbrix--That color in the FR looks great--so cozy! Does that color have a name?

Nicole, technically it does, but a name wouldn't help you because on the monitor and in the paint program, it's going to look completely different than IRL. What brand of paint are you planning to use?

Take a look at Sherwin Williams Whole Wheat.

I am probably going to use Benjamin Moore, but I am not especially partial to particular brands.

Take a look at BM Grant Beige