moving into recently purchased home and needing help coordinating paint colors. the challenge is we have 8 foot ceilings and not a ton of natural light (i.e. a ton of shadows). we narrowed down our wall color to Ballet White (Benjamin Moore OC-9); other contenders were Halo and Winds Breath (OC-46 and OC-24, respectively). **my question is, what BM paint will complement Ballet White to use on the bottom part of the wall (below the chair moulding)?? this moulding is used in the dining room and front entrance only. once that is figured out, what kitchen cabinet color (we like warm whites) would work well with the wall paint we selected, Ballet white?? we are staining our floors a dark color, like special walnut or something if that sort. thanks!!

I would forget the shelves by the fireplace. That TV is too high and could have gone on the left wall with a nice cabinet beneath with maybe some display and the sofa facing the TV and sitting on the rug so that you can access the door. Decor items and art are things you need to shop for. The art in the DR is hung too high , hang some art on the entry wall with a coat tree in the corner for guests and a shallow shelf under the art.

Your first photo is typical of how one must arrange a narrow room. A chair could be placed on either side of the fireplace, but the center of the room needs to stay open. Put an etegere in the corner where the chair is sitting. If you want to use this room for dining, put ONLY a dining table and chairs here. Your second photo shows that a dining table with a sofa makes for a cramped space that is no longer easy to walk through. How wide is this room from window wall to fireplace wall—10, maybe 11 ft? Sofas and chairs are around 3 feet deep. Their width starts around 25 inches, but arms can add 6 to 12 inches extra to the 20 inch average cushion size. Always take a tape measure with you when furniture shopping to make sure the piece will fit where you want it. Your description makes me think this room is seldom used. Perhaps 2 chairs facing each other in front of the fireplace with a small coffee table or ottoman between them. Place a chaise in front of the window. This might cause the path to meander just enough to avoid a bowling alley feel. For more possibilities, draw a floor plan where 1 ft equals 1 inch on paper, and place doors, windows and fireplace as accurately as possible. On a separate sheet of paper draw the outlines of furniture you want to place in this room. Label each piece and cut them out. Set them on the floor plan and move them around until you are happy with the placement. HERE is a site that offers a printable room grid and furniture pieces.

You won't regret having the recessed lights. Make sure they are all on dimmers and have them organized into different groups so you have even more flexibility. Sometimes you want a room completely lit up and sometimes you don't, and it makes sense to build a house with those options. I had planned 2 chandeliers in my family room with 12 ft ceilings. Now that the house is nearly finished, it is obvious that one will be plenty, so the electricians will make some final adjustments to the plan. Also be aware that some fixtures are taking months to be delivered.