The room is approx. 11' x 12', has (SW) corner windows and a small attached bath, which is tiled in the original 50s grey/burgundy. I think the vanillin is too yellow (a) for my liking, (b) for the quilt that my MIL kindly made for us and (c) to tie into the bathroom color scheme. The bed frame will stay. The cherry dresser, bookcase & nightstand--while I love them--were not purchased for that bed and do not work with it. I hope to replace them with more simply styled furniture. The blinds are a problem from the exterior viewpoint also, and will either be lined in an off-white or replaced entirely with sheers or some other off-white treatment. We took out the old white mini blinds and prefer not to go that route again (the cats loved bending them). I'm viewing the quilt as my fall/winter bedcover, and would love to get new, lighter coverings for spring/summer. I need help in identifying a wall color that could work with that quilt, contrast/coordinate nicely with the bed, and provide a nice backdrop for new white/patterned bedcoverings. This is the view from the hall door. The wall on the left is 11' The bed runs parallel to the 12' stretch And here's the bathroom Just to complicate matters :-) we may move to an adjacent room that is longer but also has a (SE) corner window set up. I'd love to discuss layout, but the color issue is most pressing right now. Thanks for any help!

I know heliotrope! A robust lavender w/ a hint of cornflower or bachelor button (Salvia is too dark). I only learned that it was a flowering plant a few years ago, the things you learn! I don't remember the names of all my faves. I w/o doubt gravitated to the same ones over and over. Especially, Silver (?), yellow green and carnation pink. What colors did the kids clamor over when you were a kid? There were always a few that were more coveted than the burnt sienna, bark or flesh! Funny! I thought I'd gained "adult status" the second I was permitted to use my mothers 'Prismacolors'. I also felt the world had ended when 2 days later my status was revoked for sneaking them to school. I "covertly" returned the huge box thinking she wouldn't notice 3 were missing (incl. baltic blue-$$) and 2 had little kindergarten teeth marks in the middle! Isn't it wild how color makes such an impact (figuratively and literally -I can attest! LOL) Oops, sorry for the ramble... The 600 thousand dollar question.... If you could name a paint color for commercial circulation, What would you name it?? (I'm guessing NOT 'Dead Salmon' or 'Dirty Sock Feet') Oh, and describe the hue,tone, shade of your newly concocted color! I'd love to hear/see the responses. -september

And rather than poster board...if your local paint store carries them...use Mighty Boards. I find they hold up better, with no curling, and give a truer representation of the paint color/texture/etc. I've taken to cutting them into quarters and I am building up a sample library---very useful for friends who are having a hard time choosing colors. Allows them to see the paint on the wall...without painting splotches immediately. (Then when it is narrowed down to a few I still suggest they get a sample can or three and splotch away.) Here is a link that might be useful: Mighty Board

Muted simply means its muddied up with other colors and not a stark yellow or orange for example. For comparison Hawthorne yellow is a crisp yellow whereas Dorset gold has more orange undertones. Not that they're bad colors either way, I had just envisioned Firenze as having more oomph in my space but everything is relative. Those stripes look fabulous, as well as the color. I didnt read the link you memtioned, But I don't mind the gallery wall, very homey.