Hi ijmiller, I think you could go darker than Stardust such as BM's " Ashland Slate" and have a simple grey and white scheme, you can add accessories to make it less bachelor pad. If budget allows I would modernize the fireplace with stone and hang the TV above the fireplace is a good idea, make sure it's low enough so that you're not tilting your head in an awkward angle while sitting at the sofa. Bookcases on either side of the fireplace would finish that wall nicely.

Desert light is very different. Try large swatches at several times of day with other pieces you plan to have in the room to see if you really love it. Full spectrum paint is beautiful in desert light. Try Citron paints in Tucson. Two great greys are Inca Dove and tarnished silver. Then use a chalky white like Dust Devil for trim and a soft blue ceiling like Twilight. Dust Devil would look good in the kitchen as well.

Thanks dytecture for a quick glimpse. Those colors are definitely too dark for me.

Estephens, unfortunately, since I live out in the desert I don't have many stores that carry paint. The only one that does carries Ben Moore. Any idea what Dust Devil, Inca Dove, tarnished silver, etx might be equivalent too or similar to in BM colors?
I attached a few grayer color options, the dusty blue one may again be too dark for the room.
Thoughts, opinions, options?

I love the photos. Full spectrum paints are quite different but I looked for something close. Try Kingsport gray, with Plymouth rock (lighter), or buckhorn (darker). Try Lancaster whitewash for trim. White winged dove, old prairie, or wish might bee good in the kitchen since you have dark cabinets.
Hope that helps.

Or try millstone grey if you want more green.

Fieldstone 1558 is a great mid-tone grey.

Benjamin Moore has a new full spectrum paint called Color Stories. There are beautiful grays that you can see on line. Good luck.

Thanks so much!

Great space!! We just moved "to the desert" as well (Arizona) and YES! the light is much different out here than over on the east coast (South Florida) Although we're renting, we asked if we could paint - and they said yes. We really liked the Ralph Lauren greys we lived with in Florida, be here we tried some cooler greys from Martha Stewart at Home Depot (but hurry - the line is being dropped) We used 3 shades of grey: Dark in the brightest area (LR) called Magnetite, medium grey in the stairway and entrance called Cement and a lighter grey in the bedroom since it gets the least light called Driftwood (all in an eggshell finish with a few painted black doors & railings). It all works great with the rustic laminate wood floors, dark stained woods, black and white (similar to your images). It's also neutral enough to pop any color for a change, like red, orange, or green. To warm up the look of the gray, try adding printed textiles & a few pieces in gold. If the kitchen cabinets are too warm: try painting them & remove a few doors for some open shelving. Good luck and hope this helps!! :)

Paint is not just about walls - ceiling plains as separate elements. Rather think of using paint as a tool to visually build space with having wall & ceiling surfaces work together. Some of my favourite inspiration comes from the work of famed http://pinterest.com/source/tamizo.pl/

The fireplace wall is quite busy already with so many changes in surfaces and angled ceiling, simplify with choosing one element you want to put in focus and then select a complimenting colour for all other areas, paint baseboards as part of the wall and consider using the fireplace as a feature either lighter or darker ...

Kitchen consider painting the base drywall a darker colour and the uppers a lighter colour ... neutrals are always best if you have an eclectic collection of furniture and accessories ... hence when you go to an art gallery white is special, it helps highlight and put elements in focus.

Matte finishes are also much more timeless.

here are examples of colour blocking

relaxed khaki....think it is by sw