You have a great space here and have a lot of "wiggle room" to make this a bold space, which I believe can be achieved easily. I'm questioning why you would like to move away from grey since you have so many grey decorations and furniture - grey can be used to create a very bold room especially if it is used in contrast with your bookshelves being painted white. I think that is your best bet. Also, consider integrating some sort of pattern that you can choose to accent the couch cushions and/or drapes. This is the best picture I could find to explain my ideas. Hopefully this can give you some direction. Best of luck.

Thank you for your input. Your suggestions would certainly make it a happy space. If I did leave the built in shelves dark in their original cherry - what would you suggest?

I would. But depends on what colors u r going with in the room. White is nice n I've seen people paint or wallpaper the inside for a nice pop..

It looks like the built ins almost match your breakfront. If they blend well with your furnishings, why go to the trouble?

Not saying don't paint, just saying something to consider.

I'd paint the built-ins to match the color of your trim, which appears to be some kind of white. It will make them feel less massive in the room, will lighten and contemporize the space.

Your china cabinet. :)

Can you post more pics of the space? I would exhaust all other options before painting the bookcases. Are the shelves adjustable?

I would not do white if you want a "boldness". I would do a dark chocolate brown, I think that cherry color is what is making the room look dated.

It makes me want to cry when people paint beautiful wood. They are classic and from the furniture I see they go well with it. If you're wanting to update a little try some new hardware & hinges. Looks like they are shiny brass so you could change to a brushed nickel or an oil rubbed bronze, etc. It's an inexpensive way to change the look of a piece of furniture.

Many thanks everyone. I can change the hardware. Here are some more pics. Any suggestions for wall paint and rug/cushions,etc

Your living room is lovely. And now, seeing the whole dining room, I wonder why you would want to paint the built ins at all. They match beautifully with your dining room and give the living room an old home charm and comfort. I love them.

Looks like you are an art collector, too. You are on a very good track with your decorating. Enjoy your home. It is lovely.

Well, I'd still paint them -- the mahoghany funiture seems like a remnant, perhaps, of your earlier taste, and the rest of the room is very light and contemporary, so for me that wall is just a black hole.

If your husband (and all the All-Wood-Is-Precious crew here) won't let you paint them, then the idea of painting or wallpapering the backs might be a good step toward lightening the feel anyway. In fact, if you're afraid of damaging the wood, you can cut squares of foam board to fit each niche, paint or wallpaper those (maybe even with contact paper!), and then just slide them up tight against the back! I was going to suggest a gray and white pattern like rocketjcat's second photo...

Yes indeed hubby is still miffed that I painted the oak panelled wall 25 years ago :)) I'll play around with some WP ideas for the BC I did that in the cabinet in the DR and it looks really fun Thank you ACM

You can do a lot with built ins. Here is an image from one of our projects:

Bruno Residence Living Room, Hammonton NJ · More Info

I would paint it a neutral like light grey or beige

Horrors! Never paint wood. Change upholstery, put a beautiful area rug on the floor, find different and colorful items to place on the shelves, colored pillows on the couches and chairs, where you want but not too many. I would take a look at some home decorating in a vintage style in order to get general ideas of what to do with some additions of color.