I have also thought about the trim being a different white. My trim is painted a bright white through out the house. I should know, I am the one that painted it last summer after moving in!!!!!! After looking at pictures of different kitchens, I found one by BamaSpice (I love her kitchen) and her cabinets are a different color than her trim and it looks good. Hmmmmm, maybe I can find a link to her kitchen. I am still considering Alabaster. I have started in my laundry room and out of 12 doors (though I had 10), I have primed 4 of them. They look realy good even if it is just primer.

I'd put white beadboard over the rafters then paint em white.

Thanks everyone! So of course the one I chose is not even one of the original top 5 contenders from the top of this thread. I chose Hampton Cararra 3x6 satin finish from The Tile Shop. I was so afraid to go with marble because I really like variation in the tiles and I didn't want to end up with boxes of all white. I found a Tile Shop near me, never knew they existed until GW. I loved that they had so much in stock, and on display. So I was able to take an entire box of the Hampton Cararra home before I decided. Its the one in my post above from Nov. 7, on the right. It had a lot of variation and was a lot less expensive than some of the options I had been considering too, so it was my winner. Herbflavor, thanks for the compliments & for remembering. You are one of many here who specifically helped me a lot. Yes the whole project now is done. We love the new use of space, its really working out for the way we live just as I hoped. The kitchen is done just how I wanted it, though of course theres several decisions I second guess, but overall I love it. The other 2 rooms which we opened into each other I am just not thrilled with how they look yet because the budget has run out but I really wanted to do more in those rooms. I wish we could get all new furniture and I wanted built ins next to fireplace and new mantle, etc but its not happening for a while. I know we have time. I hope to do a reveal now soon, but I still need a window treatment on the big kitchen window. We get tons of light so I needed to put a paper shade up and I don't want that in my final pics!! I might still need one more post for advice on a window treatment...I'm thinking a woven wood shade in a dark tone like the island cabinet. I love the light kitchen, but I really like to ground it with some dark pieces. Heres a closer up...

Thanks to all who have commented. This is my first post and I am really impressed with the speediness and thoughtfulness of the replies. I am inclined to do as suggested by several of you (aktillery9, justerrilynn, daisychain01, aprilneverends, tuesday_2008) and start with painting the basic components that outline the family room. If the built-ins and fireplace carry the look as individual pieces of furniture, I'll leave them stained. As Linelle noted, this is "good" stained wood which will hopefully carry the look. If, as Ingrid suggests, that end of the room looks too patchy I'll go further with the transformation. I really like aprilneverends' idea to back the bookcase with inserts. I had wondered about painting the back or the bookcases, but your idea would give them some pop without committing to painting. So glad to get positive feedback on the french doors. I'm inclined to agree with artemis_ma to keep both sides the same...unpainted for now. I love the idea of the french pocket doors, Ipinkmountain, but a portion of the wall they would have to recess into is an exterior wall which isn't workable. I am also limiting my budget for this project since I'm still finishing up a renovation elsewhere in the house. I will definitely leave the windows in the sun room stained as is. I agree with comments that another wall color will freshen the look. So grateful to have the help thinking all this through. I also found many photos on Houzz with stained/painted combinations, so I've got some good examples of where it worked. This project probably won't be started for several months. I'll try to remember to post photos of the finished project. Any additional input is welcome!