Hi Guys,

This is my first time posting on this forum, though I've read lots of posts. I just bought a house -- my first -- and need some painting advice.

The issue is that the floor plan is one big, open space with high ceilings and lots of angled walls, which is GREAT for flow, but makes painting difficult as the lines between distinct rooms are blurred. I got some decorating books at the library, and one chapter discusses painting different planes different colors to break up a large space.

So yesterday, I painted some color samples on the wall. I chose shades that have subtle variation because this large space -- which spans 1,600 square feet -- also has multiple types of flooring and I don't want TOO much going on.

My question is: (1) should I indeed use more than one color to add character/depth and break up the space (would one solid color throughout fall flat and be too one-note?), (2) if I do use multiple colors, how many should I choose, and (3) how do I determine which walls/planes to paint which colors?

Does anyone have advice for how to approach this?

I know I can use some of the paint websites' color visualization software that's out there, and I've tried that, but the three colors are different brands, so I can't really preview the different colors accurately. And let's face it, those previews are just kind of so-so.

I'm posting three images in total: two shots of the house, taken from different ends, and my paint samples.

I'd love some help! Thanks in advance.