Thanks for the suggestions everyone. dazzlemewithcolor, sounds like both colors are ones I will put on the list to consider. beekeeperswife, thanks for the pics of Sarah's kitchen. I do like the look and a buttery yellow is in the running. A friend had suggested gray also, but I must admit I am having trouble picturing that. As far as the bright white, I don't think I would do that, as in the rest of the house, except for mudroom and half bath off the mudroom, all trim is painted a creamy white. In fact it is the same white as the cupboard/hutch is painted now. What I did think was to paint all terracotta the cream color (like other woodwork) and then maybe the walls a soft buttery almost yellow? But then I would have to paint the hutch a different color, but then what color for that? Also, would I then paint the cupboards and woodwork in the mudroom as well as the wainscot the creamy white too? or a different color? jillinnj, all woodwork in the house except the kitchen, mudroom and 1/2 bath off the mudroom is painted a creamy white. The kitchen, mudroom and 1/2 bath all have the wainscot. Yes, if I change the terracotta color it will be a lot of work and a lot of painting! :-( but part of me is really getting tired of the terracotta although it is unique? Plus I do feel it really darkens the rooms. You are right, it is an old Crystal coffee grinder that is mounted on the cupboard. melle sacto, buttery yellow on the walls or wainscott?

For white or pastel choices on trim, Cabinet Coat, Muralo Satin Flow or Satin Impervo Waterborne are great products. To recolor the dark trim with a dark cherry or mahagony color, I recommend you sample the one step products by Minwax, Olympic or Varathane stains. They work well. Michael

Nice cabinets, but the white wood piece over the window and the white pendant lights make the cabinets just look dirty - they don't compliment them at all. Take down the white wood and replace the pendant shades. And I definitely agree with the others who said to take down the valanc, and valances are kind of out as well. It just doesn't go at all. I like the idea of a bamboo shade mounted high, either do that or nothing there exepct for taking down the cornice. Also, why does the island have what looks like old cabinetry? You need to overlay it with something or paint it. For the walls, I would use a light soft tan or light soft neutral green paint, whichever would go w/ the family room too. I don't like blue with those cabinets at all - it will make them look yellow, and definitely not white which will make it even more yellow. I just got the Biscottti myself, BTW, and if you do these things, it will look gorgeous, but right now the other elements are really fighting with it.

So I went with the vale mist and I love the result. It was a good compromise with the husband who wanted to stay with white. A shout out to @JudyGDesigns for suggesting the color. Thank you all for the help. And just like that, two other people nearby have gone with similar colors. So I guess copying is a form of flattery. I want to also let you know that I took my door hardware to a metal restorer and they did an amazing job! So please if you have old door hardware and they are worn, have them restored. Mine look awesome and I felt good about helping out a small local family business. I included a photo of just the brash door knocker which was old, black and tarnished. My door knobs and handles look great as well. Like new. I also updated the house numbers to be raised and modern.