Unfortunately, there is no waiting to choose paint; I have one week left. But yes, I definitely plan to add some bright colors. I have an accent wall right now, and I just don't love it as much as I do in magazines. I just remembered today that we got this very cool orange bowl for our wedding that has just been sitting in a closet for years, because it didn't match anything we have. It might be time to dust that thing off! I also love cobalt blue, which I think would look great in the kitchen, but probably not so great in the living room (probably clash with the blue I'm leaning towards--I tried a sample of Meditative today). I guess there are upsides and downsides to trying to do make over a big chunk of the house at one time: stress now, but less hodgepodge whem it's done. Thanks for the ideas so far!

I agree with a gray, although finding an approprite one to tie all the elements of your open concept together will take some trial and error. And a lot of sample paint on the walls! A pale taupy gray that is good as a neutral is Edgecomb Gray by BM. For "True" pale gray tones, you could also try SW Agreeable Gray or Silverpointe Its a great room, love the windows and beams!

Putting beige and gray together in the same space used to be frowned on, but lately I've seen this done rather successfully, for instance where the rug was gray and the upholstery beige. With my light beige upholstery my new carpeting is going to be a warm gray color called London Fog which I would say is more or less greige. However, for a wall color I would probably choose something lighter, more like the solid color of your rug. It's already next to the "yellow" floor and I don't think it clashes. That color would lighten up your living room considerably and make the art on the wall pop more.

The paint looks like "sea salt" so I am with Annie : ) Re -do that, take the "Pewter" to a paint store, cut the formula to one half or a third strength. Start there, then the other answers as to questions mentioned. There may be 8 million rugs with a little or a lot of gray.......or any complementary color, texture etc.