There are many different shades of white .. your contrasting trim at the window pair tells me the walls are buttercream / warm off-white. That is why it looks dirty all the time.

If you were brave enough for a pale gray . . a repeat fave bm classic gray, or bm moonshine . . trick is keeping it warm enough to resonate with the deeper wood tone elements in the timbers. A warm soft taupe would be my prescription .. .btw Fab house.

Historic whites are never as white as the window trim that now flows to the sashes. I'd consider painting trim and wall the same - it produces a more contemporary feeling which echos your furnishings.

The upholstery would be fabulous with a deep gray blue on the back of the entry door in a gloss .. something like bm trout gray or deep space. https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/find-your-color/color/2124-20/trout-gray?color=2124-20&source=%2Fen-us%2Fcolor-overview%2Ffind-your-color%2Fcolor%2F2125-30%2Fgray-shower

I can also see the walls with a neutral with a taupe /wood /tan undertone. Something that won't turn blue.

I'd first suggest bm light pewter . . https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/find-your-color/color/1464/light-pewter?color=1464&source=%2Fen-us%2Fcolor-overview%2Ffind-your-color%2Fcolor%2F973%2Fice-formations

You might also test bm abalone, or if you want color - go all the way to bm shale . . a bit deeper, says "I'm a dramatic, clubby, room. You'll need to add lighting - plug in sconces if you take the walls deeper than the off whites.

This is a nice neutral and more gray or cool

Anything but gray ...!!!!

First, check your lighting. Add more light sources, and use bulbs with more natural light (not flurorescents, but not warm yellowy light if it's too dingy). Once you have the lighting situation figured out, picking wall colors will be easier - and more accurate. Even pure, bright whites can look dingy under yellow lighting.

I also think that a pale cool grey could bring in some of the lightness you're looking for. Super subtle greys at the top of the paint chip might be enough, or something like Sherwin Williams Repose Grey might work. Test out some samples and let us know what you pick!

It's a blue lol

BM gray owl would look beautiful with BM White dove trim

Amanda, you're so right! Thanks.

Love BM Titanium to!

Hi. I like both of your suggestions but I thought I was supposed to use a neutral with warm undertones because of the warm colors in all the wood. The house does not get a lot of natural light because it is north facing and has a very wooded lot. Sigh. I might be over thinking this.

Yes these have a warm undertones......the number one gray to go with oak or golden woods is Galveston gray..it has a lot of warm green brown undertones...the paint colors I suggested are lighter in tint but have the same undertones..

they have a way of neutralizeing golden tones...you don't want anything going more to the blue spectrum.....

Very nice house! I like that walls are white! I would paint the door frame though as the windows are painted and that seems odd that that isn't. Once you change your lighting and if it still seems a bit dingy to you I would paint the walls true white! The wood is a very strong element here. When you add rugs and colorful art against the very white walls it will look wonderful.

Pics

White walls work with wood trim if you have A: Great natural light (not all do) and /or B: terrific architectural interest. Note the volume ceilings, transom windows, etc. Galveston gray . . and its softer shade counterparts do work well with oak trim. Thus the warm gray suggestions above - these are grays that look like cool browns . . and they work great with wood because they are warmed by camoflauge greens / earthy tones that pick up on the woody elements in the trim.

Blues and clean grays will make the trim look more orange, not less, by way of contrast. Blue greens are tricky - not great right next to wood trim - again, make them more orange, but are the actual color wheel compliment (blue green) to redorange .. so you may find rugs and prints and rooms that use both with one of them in small amounts.

Maybe this will help

Maybe I'll try Galveston gray at 50 percent. I also like titanium.

Galveston Gray is really a beautiful gray...50% might just do it!

good Luck keep us posted!

I will.

I really like a lot of these colors posted here but still think this space should stay white. Now you should know I Really love color and am not at all afraid of it! But there are some hefty natural wood elements here. When you put color on the walls it will make the not so large white moldings pop and I feel this will be very distracting with everything else that's going on in this space. I would paint the door molding and the rest of the baseboard that isn't white , white. Improve the lighting significantly and paint the walls the same as the molding. Either way, very pretty house and good luck.

Lynartist, You make some great points. The white on the walls (and there are a few different shades ) are not working. Finding the right shade and sheen and improving the lighting is what needs to be done to make it work. I think that is why most pictures I found online have white walls. I also think the white walls and trim would make it easier to pick a color to paint my cabinets. A neutral might be distracting I think I will def paint my trim the same as the wall color.

Patty -great place. Sure to bring loads of enjoyment in the future. I agree with lynartist's input and believe even a pure white base with no tint could be your best bet for your walls. You can use semi-gloss finish for trim and flat or satin for walls. I prefer flat on walls that are not perfectly flat, because any sheen reveals blemishes in not so great a way. Then you can pull colors in accessories. I would keep any window treatment same color as walls which will create more clean light overall look. While I definitely agree with loads more layered lighting, I would get an electrician in first to assess your current capability and what upgrades might be needed for safety, and your future power needs. Keep us posted on your progress. Going to be work but a wonderful project.

I was looking for a paint color for my kitchen cabinets. We will be replacing the countertops and all appliances. The fan will be replaced with a light fixture. The cabinets are nice wood but too red and dark for my taste. Any suggestions?

This may be were you may want to use one of the lovely paint suggestions mentioned above!

Pics

Yes, I like the light sage greens would be fabulous. What a great place. The more I see the more I like!!

I think anything gray will darken your home even further. But the pale blue suggestions that lean toward gray may be great with the yellow pine. And the grated out version of blue will prevent the color from looking bright. A suggestion for the cabinets would be a navy. You could accent with mustard. It would all flow and play nicely with your pine. You could then add in area rugs and pillows with navy and white and mustard to tie it all together.

Such great ideas from everyone. I was thinking of a green or blue. Now I know I am on the right track. The idea of navy is great. Once I get the lighting figured out, I'll get a better feel for the cabinets.

I love the idea of Navy with mustard. That would be so fantastic. Great idea Leslie. I am really loving Navy lately too. So sick of grays I could scream!

Flo, the house is really a unique place. I fell in love with it the second I walked in and the beach is 2/10 of a mile and you can see it from the house. Thanks.

navy on island and bottom cabinets, with white. Love this

Ahh , what better than navy for the beach;)

Patty, lighting is the key here! I love Jennifer's pick of blue and white kitchen cabinets! A strong graphic statement to hold up to the rest of the house.

Lynartist, I love the idea of the blue and white cabinets. It is not a large kitchen so I think it would be better to keep them all one color. Also, I had an electrician in to give me an estimate on adding more overhead lighting. It is more work because of the open beam ceiling. We also talked about the best type of light bulbs to use. He was very helpful. As I get older, I need more lights. Thanks for all your suggestions. Everyone is very knowleable and creative.

Knowledgeable

Why not just paint kitchen cabinets the Galveston Gray and keep walls a beautiful soft white! You can accent with navy blue..very chic and beachy.

I love the Galveston gray. Those pics are great.

Whichever way you go, I'm sure your house will look wonderful! Post pics when done so we can ohh and awe!

Thank you! You're too kind. I will post pics as soon as I make some progress . It could be awhile. I am not as fast as I used to be. Lol. Seriously, thank you all for your comments and suggestions. You have all been so helpful.

Patty - sounds like a little piece of "Heaven on Earth" to me!!!

It is nothing elaborate but I am very grateful for it. I call it my happy place.