grasscloth!

How much natural light do you get?

Will you have rugs? Any window treatments? What does your furniture look like? Artwork?

We have a saying here... Pick the paint color last. You have a zillion colors to choose from, and the color, whatever it is, will help pull everything else (rugs, furniture, art, drapery) together.

I agree, the paint color should really be driven by what is going to go in the room. What does everything else look like?

In terms of those three paint colors, though, neither the two swatches you have or the original color do a thing for that paneling at all.

Kateskouros is right though too. Grasscloth would look awesome.

I'll just echo everyone else - pick the paint color last.

But, not knowing what else will go in there, I would suggest picking a lighter color than either of the samples your photo shows. For my library (which I am probably re-doing soon, although I do like it now) I went with a darker color than what is in most of the rest of the house, but one which is still lighter than those two colors you have. It's Glidden "Whispering Wheat". (Yes, I know everyone "disses" Glidden, but early on that is what I used, and I've actually found it to be a perfectly good paint - goes on easily, covers in one coat, doesn't fade, is washable, etc..) The colors is a bit warmer and darker than what appears on my monitor when I do a search for it. It gives me a warm and cozy "library" feel while not making the walls feel like they're closing in. I know you said you have high ceilings, so you can probably go darker, but still, those are pretty dark.

Whoops, I actually submitted the non-edited version of my post.

I added a link - the library in the photo is NOT my room (obviously) but the color on the wall is pretty similar to what I used. I found this when googling "wood panelled library" - you might do some image searches to find an inspiration photo.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks everyone for your replies and suggestions! A little more info about the room. We just bought this house, and have not moved int yet. We wanted to have the whole house painted before moving in. The painter is going to start next Monday. I don't have furniture for this room yet, but was planning to get a couple bookcases, 1 or 2 chairs for reading, a desk for a computer. We will use it as a library and study room. Below is a better pic from the house listing, so it's the previous owner's furniture. I'd probably take down the valance too:)

Here is a link that might be useful:

Whoa, that's some room! Thanks for posting the additional photo, jqchen... completely changes my initial impression of the room.

You say you want to have the whole house painted before moving in, which is practical, but from a decorating point of view, it makes life harder for you.

You say you don't have furniture for this room yet. If you choose a color first, you will then have to choose everything else -- rugs, upholstery, furniture, drapes -- based on that color. That approach limits your options so much! "I fell in love with these chairs / this rug / this whatever / but it doesn't go with the wall color..."

Is it possible to postpone choosing the wall color for awhile? It's so much more fun shopping for furniture and rugs when you're not constricted by wall color.

The painters will always tell you to paint the walls before bringing in furniture -- because it makes life easier FOR THEM. Not for YOU.

I gotta ask, what's going on with that ceiling? Is it a chambered ceiling? A tray? Are there other windows?

LOOOOOVE THE ROOM, by the way.

Are you keeping the wall-to-wall carpeting?

If the carpet and wood work is staying the same then I would suggest a navy blue (BM hale navy). It's pretty much a neutral and should work with most office/library color schemes.

We have a similar room that's BM hot apple spice. It's a darker, browner red than the one you have up. I don't think you can go too dark in that room.

mclarke - you're absolutely right that it's so hard to pick the paint color before having furniture. We want to move in ASAP. The house haven't been painted since it was built 20yrs ago. So, we really want to get every room a fresh coat of paint before moving in.

pps7 - Thanks for sharing your library photo! I love how your bookcases/chairs/hardwood floor are all integrated! Our room has a lot more bare walls than yours. So, I think I will stay away from dark colors now.

At this point, I'm thinking to paint a safe/neutural color, then I can always change it later if I don't like it after getting all the furniture. What do you think of something like BM Pismo Dunes or Shenandoah Taupe?

Btw, the bookcases I'm thinking to get are likely espresso/dark brown color, if that helps.

For a warm feeling, yet a light color, a soft peach or apricot would work well with the existing paneling, yet provide enough contrast not to overwhelm the room with too much of a muchness. Alternatively, for a more masculine look, navy or hunter green would be great choices.

PPS7, I LOVE your room and that red shade is perfect for that room! Jqchen, I agree go with a neutral color for the room. Please post samples of the colors you have in mind and we will all try to help. That Taupe shade sounds like it would be nice.

For a small room I'd pick a value (light-dark range) that didn't contrast strongly with the furniture values, or with the paneling if you don't paint it. Darker walls also tend to allow rooms to hold more "stuff" than light ones without looking busy. Do you have any proportion problems with the room, such as the ceiling feeling too high when you're sitting there? If so, you might use paint to help with that.