With the tones you're using, I think black / brown would be ok. Thoughts on rug?

I think for an artist, I'd go for all white furniture. That way, your mind is clear of distractions for the art at hand. But, anything that is art in the space would be your own!

Thank you everyone for these comments! Included below are rug ideas in photos (I prefer the design over the solid gray). I really appreciate Darzy's comment about white and distractions. I am very very concerned about distractions and that's why the simple IKEA lines in white furniture, with black, or black-brown accent IKEA pieces are very appealing to me. My big problem now is I agree with Carolyn Albert-Kinci that the buffet doesn't look great on white (even though there are white tones in the white engraving below the top molding on the buffet) but I'd really love to make it work without painting it because its well made and it was a lot of work to get it to the studio! Is the consensus out there that I cannot make do with that piece? Thanks again, so very much for all your help.

Just move the buffet to the blue wall where it will stand out nicely, and maybe use non-white finishes on the other pieces that are close by so its color difference is not so noticeable. Perhaps it depends on the type of art you're doing, but I find your rug selection to be quite traditional, much more so than most of the furnishings I associate with Ikea.

I would select one of their more contemporary rugs.

Here is a better photo of the white detail in the buffet molding. I've also included a photo of the opposite wall showing one of the three columns that are interspersed along that wall.

Your piece is lovely and I agree with Carolyn to simply move the white piece to the painted wall. Then, the contemporary, simple rug.

You can place the piece in front of the columns if necessary and paint the columns the blue of the wall.

Carolyn, I can't paint the columns because they are part of the original architecture of the building that all tenants must preserve. I had actually planned originally to put the piece between the far columns where it does fit. But that doesn't help with the cream on white, does it? (Gosh, I really used to like cream and white together- don't know why this is working so badly. .. The lighting in the room is blue in kelvin temp- I'm sure that's making things worse...)

The cream on white stands out more now than it will when you get other things in the room.
Worry about it then, not now. You can change your light bulbs to a warmer kelvin rating of 2700 K.

Thanks a lot for your thoughts. I agree that everything will look better with warmer light and more furniture. I was going to try to return the piece today - it is from a non-profit organization - the sooner I try to correct the mistake the better - but maybe I'll try to find a local designer to help me put the rest together before taking that step. I am in the Baltimore area. Do you know anyone who could help me? :-) Thanks again.

You can find interior designers in your area by going to the "Find Local Pros" area at the top of the screen.

Might you consider putting any of your work spaces away from the wall, and sit with your back to the wall? I personally hate sitting at a desk or table facing a wall.