Thanks , Ann and nosoccer! How's this for vintage ironic? (Ironically, my daughter sent this pic to me last week because we are thinking about framing some of DH's collection of album covers as art for the bedroom. He has some good looking ones and actually agreed.) Love the ski furniture, but DD requested that we not go with a ski theme. she's a big skier, but I guess that when you live in a ski resort town and work for the ski corp, there is sort of an overload factor. So we're leaning a bit more nature themed with a twist. At various times we've seen moose, elk, deer, fox and lots of bear behind the house! Fur (faux) is a definite must! Keep the suggestions coming!

we are now waiting for 3 samples to dry by sherman William's anew gray, agreeable grey and accessible beige, think I got the last 2 names right or reversed the adjectives!...I do like the idea of defining the pool and drum area with another color. want to see what would make the Yankee collection pop. and then I want a sewing area with a raised work table under the recessed porch lights

https://youtu.be/KAUak7Xneh0 Here is a video of our basement. We used color to define various areas within the Great Room. Basements require good artificial lighting in order to make them feel comfortable. My suggestion is to paint your color(s) under consideration onto a 2x2 piece of drywall that can be moved about to view. Good luck.

First you may want to consider changing your lighting in the basement. It's likely impacting the color as you say.