I use gold everywhere :) It's lovely. I like Ralph Lauren Startched Apron with gold tones. Do not trust the paint sample for the color though. Pick up a pint and give it a try...it's absolutely fabulous with any earth tone color and most deeper colors...I just don't like it with ice blues. I have used it in gad...four homes now LOL no make that five, many of my ceilings here are also Startched apron.

I, too, have creamy cabinets and white trim throughout the house. Solid white dishes and figurines were placed in my illuminated wall display cabinets, with dark grasscloth in the back of the cabinets, to bring white into the kitchen and balance out the creme and white distribution. It looks quite nice. The same thing could be accomplished with pure white decorative objects placed on the counter or in other areas, such as pictures hung on the wall.

What color is your ceiling? It doesn't look bad to me where your wall color hits the white ceiling, so I would go for white trim (but keep those beams wood!). Be careful with colored doors. For one, they're an issue if and when you ever go to sell. But more importantly, charcoal and black are cooler colors and would probably look better with white, not cream, walls. (White trim works with them). As for stairs, you can do it either way but I would keep railing wood and balusters whatever you decide to paint the trim.

Not knowing colors of your other furnishings, I think a soft grey blue/green would look pretty and fresh. SW Sea Salt or Silver Strand?