This is our coffee bar/desk area in the center of our home. We have an open area coming from the kitchen, dining room and living room. This area is in the center of it all. To the right is the doorway to the laundry room. To the left is the foyer. We would like to redecorate it but need help. While we love our three pictures hanging there, it’s time for a change and we want the back wall to really pop with an accent. Directly behind this area is our living room. I’m attaching a picture of our fireplace/mantle. We have decided that we are going to shiplap the wall above the mantle in a darker gray tone. Should we do the same thing to the breakfast bar? But if we do so, what color then? The dark gray tone might not work with our dark gray countertop. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!! We do have recessed lighting in both areas, so we have potential of going much darker and making a statement.