Are you keeping the blue? If not, grey would be fine. What furniture are you using? I assume that the slanted walls will be painted the wall color or close to it.

I am so sorry for your loss! Deeply sorry. I wouldn't want to touch the paintings either. Can you please post some more pictures of the rest of the walls? I need to get a better idea of the room size, window positions etc. Also, do you already have the furniture pieces selected for this space? Pictures of same or similar will help as well.

Maybe instead of a gray, what about something in a darker shade of blue? Maybe a gray blue. I've attached an image with different samples of blues. I think there are some in here that would look lovely with the colors your son used.

You could do the wall in one shade of blue, and then the window frame in a different shade of blue. It would be a nice accent, and go well with the artwork that is up now.

Thinking about this a bit more...you could make the wall with the artwork one shade of blue. Then the window frame another shade of blue. You could then match the window frame blue to the ceiling and wall base with the same shade of blue.

Such beautiful art from a very special person to your family remember! I've made some simulations here.
The new use for the space is for guests, so a good receptive color is brown tones. You can use neutral colors to make the draw appear. I think the color should reflect happiness, gray is not a good color in this case. But you can use gray tones mixed with other colors, like the purple that I used at the simulation. Hope I helped someway! Good luck :)

Medium gray bottom and light gray ceiling and upper walls. Navy curtains or blinds.

Look, blue-green or purpple has a nice contrast with red!

White. Make his art shine! :) First, border it with about 2" of black, then paint the rest of the wall white. Then, you can bring the red into the rest of the room.

Whatever you paint it, it will make you happy when you see it. It will be beautiful because he painted it. What a special guest room.

here are more pictures of the room. The chest will be on the wall it is on now with my son's guitars in the corner. The bed will be on the opposite wall with a small nightstand on each side. The picture of the bed is in the furniture store, there will be no bureau in the room.

headboard

do a warm taup/grey/brown on the bottom and something a few shades lighter on the top. the idea of the navy curtains would really make things "pop". remember in school when we talked about complementary and secondary colors going good together, you have a perfect set up with the red and yellow and a navy blue would complete the triad . any other colors that you add should be warm neutrals. LIke I said darker on the bottom would anchor the room and because the ceilings slant a lighter on top would make it feel more open. could separate the three sections with white trim or a rustic barn wood, sort of acting like a frame for the art (just on top and bottom of the art). And again, so sorry for your loss.

+1 taup/grey/brown

These furniture pieces are a bit darker from a mid-tone, so I would definitely go lighter on the walls. You almost have a blank canvas here, so before I suggest anything, are there any general colors you like to see in this room?

I think the bed looks darker in the pictures than it is. It is maple and the chest is light oak. I really have no idea what colors I would like in the room, I just want it to feel peaceful, if that makes any sense. I should also mention I am doing this by myself on a budget as I have never been able to go back to work full time since losing my son and am now looking for a part time job. Thank you so much for being willing to help me.

Try this color chart for inspiration and reference.

One reason why I feel more towards keeping it a blue theme has to do with color and light, and how it creates focus in your space. The white reflects more light than the yellow, making it stand out more. Bringing the white down with blues (or other darker colors) will let the yellow and red in the paintings to be the parts of the color scheme that reflect the most light. It will emphasize them more.

PS: take a look at teal in the chart!

So sorry for your loss & what a wonderful way to honor your son. I would go with a light beige on the walls that will work with both the floor and the paintings. Then a slightly lighter color on the slanted part of the wall so there is not such a color difference between the straight & slanted walls - this will make the whole room feel larger, and peaceful. I liked the idea of painting black on the outside edges of the art to make it stand out - before u do this try some black tape to see if u like the result. If u need window coverings try simple roman shades in a color to match the walls - that way they won't compete with the art wall

My condolences for your loss and I too, would not be able to remove the artwork and probably wouldn't ever move from the home. I agree with your husband and daughter! Gray is the best choice. It's a versatile color that goes with every other color in the spectrum. I've been using grays for years and you can't go wrong. It's beautiful with red and yellow and would add just the right amount of backdrop for enhancing your special art work. I'd recommend Light French Gray from Behr paint.
Christi for ThosBaker

I pulled out my Benjamin Moore colors to pick out a few when I saw Christi's post above. Just beautiful, this is exactly what I started to look into so I'd go with her great recommendations. P.S. I think it's great you are starting to work again :-))

I would have to agree Gray would be a good choice.So sorry for such a loss in your family.

Thank you all so much for your help. I like the french gray and will go to home depot to get a swatch to see it better. The reason I mentioned doing this on a budget ( and I meant to say low budget) is because I forgot I had just asked about the wall color. I am thinking if I paint the walls gray that maybe a yelow and red comforter with red pilllows or red and gray with yellow pillows might work. Any opinions, I am not good at decorating at all.

nonnie.....this is another idea for the room entirely. Have you ever considered cutting the sheetrock out where the artwork is and saving those pieces by either framing them somehow and using them wherever you want to use them? That way, you can decorate the room however you want to, replace the sheetrock in that area, and move those to another part of the house or use them in an other part of the room.
I'm not trying to be offensive in anyway regarding your loss. I am an artist and I may want someone to do that if it were me. That way you never lose the memory, but may bring you some freedom.

Or the other paint color I would suggest would be the yellowy gold in the painting.

Thanks APK and decoratinglady5. It's always nice to get support from fellow decorators! I checked out some bedding ideas for you nonnie. Of course, it all depends on your personal taste, but I chose those that embody the color scheme of your art. Each would create a different ambiance in the room, but again, it depends on what you personally like. There's bright and cheerful, muted and conservative, or rich and earthy, as well as different fabrics. Since you're turning this room into a guest room, I thought it was important to give consideration to bedding that is flexible and welcoming to guests of all ages.
Christi at ThosBaker

oh, I love the last one you picked for bedding thos baker......even a sage green for her wall color would work well with the artwork!

mendi, your idea of saving those paintings forever…you are so dear.

nonnie, losing a child…I can’t even think about that happening. But, your son left something so special. I would cut it out of the wall and do whatever to make those two works pieces of art which could go with me anywhere.

mpoulsom, it is very dear of you to think of saving the paintings forever, but I do not need to take them off the wall to do that. I will never leave this house, we moved here when my son was five years old and he was 18 when he passed away. This house his filled with wonderful memeories of him. I also always want his bedroom to have some of his favorite things in it, such as his guitars etc. We still call it little Scott's room and probably always will. And those paintings will be on the wall as long as my husband and I are alive anyway. Thank you all so much for your kind words and help.

Wallpaper, using your son’s artwork for inspiration?

I'm really sorry to your son...Well, I think you should try blue or gray and install a curtain to the window. It would be great for the room, or you can find another references here: http://dhomedesign.com/

You can use shutters here also

Hi nonnieto2. What a talented son; I'm one more who is so very sorry for your loss. I'm so intrigued by the symbolism he used -- do you know anything about it? The circles, the feathers, even the butterfly...were they from his imagination, a book? Did you know that many believe them to be signs from loved ones who have passed? He did an amazing job.

I would suggest that whatever you decide to use for side tables will need to be a few inches from the wall because of the heat register anyway, so I would mount a pair of those $10-20 under-cabinet lights in back to throw a wash of light up onto the wall. And whichever color you choose as wall paint, I would also put on the ceiling, so that it disappears somewhat and makes the walls feel taller. I'm thinking a fairly monochromatic greige will keep the focus on his amazing art -- here's a comforter set and duvet that may work too:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Somerset-Home-Molly-7-Piece-Embroidered-Bedding-Comforter-Set/31342605
http://www.walmart.com/ip/KESS-InHouse-Family-Photos-II-Duvet-Collection/33156548

I'm so sorry for your loss, my sincere condolences.

Instead of drapes I would put a Roman Blind up in something neutral so that in no shape or form does anything cover his paintings. Pottery Barn outlet and Home Depot have lots to choose from (prices vary by size) Also my first thought for color was Benjamin Moore's Gentle Cream 0C 96. It will soften the room making it restful for your guests but will make the art pop. Another idea is to put a narrow chair railing in the Maple around the art (sort of like framing them).
As for bedding Sears & Wal-Mart have really nice bed-in-bag options. Something neutral with a pop of red would look really nice.
Take your time and have fun. Take care.

Thank you mpoulsom. I like that bedding too. This is such a special room -- it's an honor to be offering helpful suggestions. I agree with Superior Interiors that white shutters would be an excellent choice for window coverings. And just as yvesun pointed out -- shutters wouldn't cover up any part of Scott's artwork.
Christi for Thosbaker

Barnhart the art is from a Led Zeppelin Album cover. I added the butterfly because my son did send me a sign, a Monarch butterfly was flying around me and I kept hearing in my head "put your finger out" and when I did the butterfly landed on my finger and stayed there for a minute just fluttering its wings and then flew up over my head and over the house. I did know about the butterfly and the feathers being signs, we have found so many feathers in odd places, but I do not know about the circles.

Thos. Baker- your suggestions are always so classy and modern (fresh). I like the grey (my favorite Behr grey is "elephant skin") and agree the shutters are a wonderful idea. I think a grey would compliment the furniture in the room, as well.

Nonnieto2- we lost our daughter suddenly in October 2013 and understand and share your grief. Our sunny, gentle girl was also artistic and we treasure her work.

Nonnie, my younger sister is a ladybug to me and one of my good friends nicknamed "Buzz" is a Bee! I love it when they come up to me unexpectedly!!! :) So I totally get the butterfly thing!

I like the idea of the wallpaper with a pattern on that back wall above and below the art. And I thought of something else that may be cool.........adding wood flooring to the wall above and below. May be a very nice look. It could have the darkness and richness of the red background with texture so that it just blends in and feels like it belongs. Then just paint the rest of the walls a lighter neutral color and that whole wall will be the stand out in the room!

p.s. I also think you should have a monarch butterfly mobile hanging somewhere in the room from the ceiling! ;)

or maybe a big monarch butterfly kite to hang from the ceiling below the light fixture in the room??

pharod60, I am also so sorry for the loss of your daughter. So sorry.

nonnieto2, there's no question, from the conversations we had before her passing, and the times and places they appear, that among other signs, the white feathers I get are from my sister. The first was less than a week after she passed; I had been assigned as photographer for the kindergarten hat parade, and as I pulled in to my driveway after taking the pictures, for some strange reason instead of music there was psychic John Edwards who I knew from TV on the radio (?), saying, "Well, if a white feather meant something to you and that person then that could be a sign..." Then I went inside and downloaded this photo of a white feather floating over my son's broken heart. (The next one fell out of my Christmas tree at the stroke of midnight Christmas Eve.)

...and of course, Led Zep -- I knew that looked familiar!

Shutters or soft roman shades for the windows so none of the art gets covered. Liked the light french grey that ThosBaker suggested

noonie, your story brought tears to my eyes. Sorry for your loss. I lost a sister many years ago, she was 9 and I was 14. Also just lost a younger brother two months ago. Just wanted to let you know that the Led zeppelin symbols are something that for thier 4th album they each picked a symbol. Bonham picked the three circles, and its been said to represent Mother/Father/Child forever intertwined.Bless this tribute to your son.

I assumed that the bed would have to go in front of the window -- making shutters difficult?

Thank you pharod60 for the lovely compliment. How very kind. Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss as well. The most difficult loss is a child. My dearest friend lost her daughter a year ago and it's been very painful for all of us who are close to her. I like to think that those who have left are not really far away at all -- always here in spirit. It seems that we can all share and empathize with the wonders and tragedies of life.

Led Zep! Scott sure has great taste in classic rock nonnie!
Christi at Thosbaker

Christi, thank you so much for your suggestion of Light French Gray, I bought a sample and put it on the wall today and it is perfect. I really can't thank you enough. You are right the loss of a child is the most difficult my heart goes out to your friend. Even after 8 years I still have some very difficult days and I remember after only a year that most days were still very difficult. I also believe that our loved ones who have passed are not far away at all.
Yes Scott did have great taste in music and was a very talented guitar player, his favorite band was Pink Floyd.
thank you again I can't tell how glad I am to finally know what color I am going to paint the walls. Will send pictures when it is done.

pharod60, I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. I know that you do understand only those of us who have lost children can truly understand how painful it is. Since losing my son I have met so many people who have lost a child and we all agree that this is not a journey we can travel alone. Talking to other mothers is helpful during the difficult times.

MarleneM, I am so sorry for the loss of your sister and brother.
I did know about them all picking a symbol for this album but I did not know about the circles, thank you for that information.

Thanks, and your son did have great taste in music!

nonnie, I'm so pleased to hear that Light French Gray worked perfectly for you! I think we'll all look forward to seeing a photo when it's done! Actually, I have two dear friends who have lost their children. The first friend that I mentioned, and a second friend I recently met. It has been 9 years since her son passed and like you, she still has difficult days too. My prayers go out to all who have shared in this discussion. The support for nonnie's project and for one another has been an inspiration.

P.S. Pink Floyd! Another great band!
Christi for ThosBaker

I hope everything turned out well! Send you our warmest thoughts and wishes, The team @ BONHAM