Would you consider painting in the same deep gold on the back of the kitchen peninsula?

I'm loving your color choices so far!

You'll get more responses if you can post a photo of the areas in question - especially if your question is regarding color.

Offhand, without seeing the area I would suggest a light Gray or Charcoal. This will work nice with the two shades of Red you have in place and won't create a jumble. Gray won't clash with the natural elements viewed from the window. Gray is a Modern trendy color. Gray will offer a respite from the energizing colors already in place. The use of Gray in the area may depend on how much light comes into the room but you mention a lot of window area. Gray should go nicely with your White oak flooring.

I would try to keep the wood trim throughout the house matching. This would mean using painted white and you would have no problem with the Gray then either.

Some would consider Gray walls a bold moves but you have made bold moves with the place already. The place sounds interesting and photos would be welcome.

I think a pale watery blue would work. It would play nicely with the red and the gold and would tie in with the water/sky. You absolutely can use cool colors and paler colors, in fact some might say you should. (like me)

And yes, a picture would be very helpful.

Here's a site from a designer that thrives on mixing bright colors. Check out the portfolio page for some inspiration. (Click on the numbers to see the pictures.)

Here is a link that might be useful: Portfolio with bright colors

I searched through >750 photographs my husband has taken and organized for our family. Travel, wildlife, gardens, relatives, and our dear daughter doing everything under the sun. Sun is the operative word here--there wasn't a single interior shot of our home since we moved in and laid the oak floor! Not even as background to some other activity. (There's a lesson here, eh?)

I was so moved by Holly Dyment's portfolio. I feel I could learn everything I'd ever need from studying those images!

Most sincere thanks for your great responses. I WILL take interior photos and post them some day!

Here is a link that might be useful: DH's idea of an interior photo

That link says "Security violation" and of course there's no picture.

There is a person on the Paint forum who is a color expert in the true sense of the word. She helped me immensely. Her nic is FunColors. You could go there and ask her assistance. Call her out in the posting subject line. She's terrific.

I'm so glad that you liked Holly Dyment's work. I think she is extraordinary in a world of beige.

forhgtv-

Thank you for posting Holly Dyment's work, it is truly inspiring and my kind of decorating. Great find. Her work reminds me of Susan Sargent, a Vermont based designer who also embraces her inner [vivid] color goddess.

still lynnski-

amysrq's suggestion of a watery blue for walls is a good one, and don't be afraid to use a bold color for the trim. Below is a pic of the black gloss trim in the kitchen.
I read somewhere that black trim recedes and since we want the focus to be on the view as well, we tried black and like it a lot. I don't think I'll ever go back to white trim again.

Good luck-

sandyponder

No need to look elsewhere for a color specialist.

Some of you may not know that our very own Amysrq is a trained color specialist.

She's done work for several members and has quite the eye for color.

Sandyponder, I love your black trim. The view's not too bad either...lol!

wow wow wow! I've never seen anything like that trim. Boy does it make the view pop!

Can you post other photos of black trim in your house, Sandy? Or other photos of your home? That picture just blows me away. Did you paint the black yourselves? The high gloss looks terrific. I know it's very hard to get a clean finish with such a glossy paint. I'd love to hear more about what you did, how you did it, what the negatives might be, other positives that aren't immediately obvious...and where you live! We're on a quiet lake in western Massachusetts, just south of the Quabbin Reservoir.

I noticed that what's shown of Holly Dyment's work all features white trim. Also noted that she does not use much textural contrast--mostly silky shiny surfaces and sheen. So much to think about!

Thanks so much to everyone, and a special thanks to forhgtv for leading the way to Holly Dyment and sandyponder for posting her amazing trim. These developments have officially Rocked My World. Thanks everyone for your suggestions about colors and paint experts on the forums. I will hold back on the shout-out until I have photos to show what's happening here already.