The homes in our area that are from the end of the Victorian age are usually done in dark green, gold, rose, deep red and maybe some dark blue. Eastern Washington didn't see any big money until the late 1800's. Many have early Craftsman elements, too, with a return of the dark timbers and earth tones. If you like earth tones, what about dark green in the library? It's a beautiful color with most woodwork (think english pub green) and would look nice with the tiles around the fireplace. The music room would be beautiful in gold/mustard, very much like the tiles around the library fireplace. In both rooms, neutral or tan/brown furnishings (maybe some leather in the library) would look great. Do you have much furniture in the music room? Something soft (like a velvet type fabric) for a comfy side chair would look beautiful in the rust/terra cotta, or maybe use the color on pillows for accents? What color is your dining room/other rooms on the first floor? Would the terra cotta/rust tone work in your dining room? Warm orange tones are always nice in a dining room and stimulate appetite/conversation. Some green and gold accents would really tie the spaces together. The entry way might be a nice place to try a little wallpaper, or maybe some stenciling. Perhaps you could find something in a natural motif that would tie in the golds, rust and dark green. It sounds like a great project and a lot of fun. Remember, paint is one of the easiest things to change if you don't like it...but I would still try some test areas and see what it looks like under different lighting/times of day, before I painted the whole room :)

Photos of the space in question would help, since part of my answer would depend on the permanent materials already in place: flooring, countertops, tile, etc. But let me take a stab at this, based on what you have told us so far. 1. In general, light colors, especially cool colors (blues, greens, aquas, lavenders) will make a space look larger, because they appear to 'recede.' White or light gray would work as well. However, if you have dark brown furniture, a pure white will look too stark. You'd probably want something that leans a bit warmer, like Ben Moore OC-117 Simply White or OC-17 White Dove. (assuming again that it works with existing materials) 2. This is totally subjective, and depends partly on how large the home is, and how visible the areas are from a common viewpoint. Too many changes will stop the eye and make a space feel choppy. But an entire white house becomes too bland for most people. Small areas like a powder bath or inside a laundry closet are a fun place to apply some color and break things up. You can also use colorful or patterned drapes in certain areas to add interest. 3. Ceilings can be the same color as the walls, if that color is light enough. If they are very low and light is already limited, keep the ceiling color light or even white. I try to choose a ceiling color that's neutral enough to be used in every room. Choose your wall color first, then you can select a ceiling color accordingly. 4. You CAN mix brown and gray, but would usually need to be either a blue-gray (which Stonington is) or a warmer gray, like BM 856 Silver Satin, or 960 Dove Wing (moving towards greige). You can tie the colors together by bringing in a rug or pillows that combine both hues. As you go forward, don't add any other main furnishings that are dark or brown. You need to introduce contrast with lighter items. Also, decide on an actual color or two that you will use as an accent. Maybe it appears in a lamp, art, small decor items, etc. Otherwise a gray and brown scheme can get dreary.

Following ... What did you decide? I have the same question. I am in Southern California. I am having the drywall in my 2-car garage repaired and will have it repainted (walls and ceiling). My painter has offered a discount if I use an off-white paint they have leftover in-house. This paint has a sheen to it. As mentioned in this thread, my painter said that flat paint is easier to "touch up"; paint with a sheen is easier to clean. The height of my garage is 14-1/2 feet -- the high ceiling is a result of the property sloping down from the street. I don't think I have ever tried to clean or touch-up the paint in the garage.

Where do the doors flanking the fireplace go? Do you entertain guests in this space and what is the maximum number you need to seat here? Is TV watching the main activity here, and do you watch when you have guests? If TV fits in that cabinet, it will probably fit on that wall, mounted on an articulated arm so it is adjustable for viewing. Do you enjoy board games? Since the fireplace doesn't get used, you might try something like this there with a table large enough for scrabble, chess, checkers, or just drinks. The right style of lightweight chairs could be pulled into a conversational grouping elsewhere in the room when needed.