Reminds me of our house when we bought it! Almost every room had some type of floral or plaid wallpaper...with matching window valances. We had it all removed in a flash. Will leave it to the pros to suggest paint colors...tons of options.

Prime it with white primer, then decide what goes best with your own rug and furnishings.

Go with a light neutral color to open and brighten the space.

I agree with apple pie - remove the wallpaper, prime it all, and then decide. And post lots of photos - it looks like a great home!

I would suggest a neutral color.

I like the central area of the house to be a warm brick red, a sienna,even an ochre, something with some life. The surrounding rooms then can key off of the central area using the core color as and accent in many different ways. It ties the whole floor together and also makes a warm heart to the home. Think of a gray living room with accents of teal, sienna and gold.

Clearly, I agree with Kevin.

Here is a photo of the room to the right of the foyer.

Looks like a salmon color - thoughts on should this color stay, then integrate this palette into the entryway?

When you paint, try rearranging the furniture like this.

I'd just select a neutral paint color. See below.

I'm not a fan of the salmon color (personal preference) but a warm brick red that Robert suggested would work with that color.

awwww its not horrid, just past style. i'm sure when it was first hung the owners were so proud.

yes, take it down, prime, get a fresh view.

The photos show the sellers' furniture?

What a fabulous entryway. I agree a larger mirror is needed.

Yes, the photos show the sellers furniture. They are a 55 and over couple and have lived in the home for 25 years.

I have a few colors I like; please see below.

the second photo is a paint named “Monroe Bisque”

Personally I think the salmon color is pretty outdated. I would paint the entire living room to match the color of the built ins, and then paint the foyer a slightly more updated (less pink, less dark) version of the salmon. You can tie both rooms together with the couch by incorporating a blue rug and a few more blue accents in the living room. If you're feeling brave you could do all or one wall of the foyer in a blue paint as well. I think blue is a great accent color because it's "almost neutral" and has a calming presence especially when combined with warm beige walls.

Some basics, since you're really starting from scratch with a newly primed home. First, the foyer serves to introduce you, your style, and hints at what to expect in the adjacent rooms. Paint colors should be based on the fabrics and textiles to be used in an area. So, what kind of furniture are you moving into the adjacent rooms? What color sofa, chairs, area rugs? What style is your furniture? Traditional, MCM, transitional, contemporary, etc. There is no reason to jump from style to style as you move room to room. Coordinate your look and repeat. Paint is really the last decision in a makeover plan as it can be custom blended to work with your stuff. Here is a classic neutral for you to consider. Ben Moore's Navajo White walls and White Dove trim would probably be a close match to this look if you just want a canvas for your furnishings.

Monroe Bisque is way too pink & won't work with the current color of the floors.

Gross!!! I definitely don’t like the Monroe Bisque.. darker floors maybe, but not those floors.

A light yellow, maybe a cool grey? Potential is limitless.

Mannequin Cream? Ballet White? (ballet is the one with the pink rug)

My client had a similar situation. We went with a grey and brightened the trim. She had a lot of sponge paint along with wallpaper borders.

thats hard to believe its the same space!!!!

I would choose a neutral taupe/ grey that works with the rug.

The wall with the credenza I would paint a deep green. The other walls I would do a white that has the slightest bit of contrast to the white trim (similar to Alison Alfredson Color & Design example).

Alison that is an amazing transformation - what manufacturer and color is that?

Spen M, we used Gray Owl from Benjamin Moore

Looks like a beautiful, well-built home with nice trim. I'm going to disagree that you need to paint it. I think that since foyers and hallways are usually spare and devoid of much furniture that they benefit from having wallpaper. If you don't want a pattern, then what about a grasscloth? It comes in all colors and some even have muted patterns on them. You might also consider installing a wainscot or other wood trim to add interest.

However, before you select anything, you need to consider the adjacent rooms and have a basic color palette and style selected to make sure that the foyer works with the rooms that open into it, probably by large cased openings.

Some suggestions/inspirations:

Recessed paneling:

Raised paneling with historical wallpaper:

Updated damask wallpaper:

Combination of beadboard and horizontal paneling:

Recessed paneling and contrasting wallpaper:

Horizontal paneling:

Grasscloth and raised paneling:

Closeup of grasscloth paper:

grasscloth with muted stripe:

Decided to go go with Benjamin Moore Sail Cloth for the entry.

I now need to find ways to decorate the space, including the right area rug.

any help is appreciated.