There was a recent thread about using bolder colors in darker rooms. The thought to use a light color to brighten a darker room is flawed. Deeper, richer colors look better with a lack of natural light vs. light colors. Counterintuitive to what one might initially think.

I don't have many full room pics as they're tough to get (ok for me cuz I suck as a photographer perhaps?) Anyhoo, I have one deep room that's about 20x20 and one that's 20x25 in a non neutral. This is the 20x25 dining room. The walls are Jasper with an aubergene accent and a greenish gold on the ceiling. Same room in tone on tone whites with a hidious 40 year old red carpet: And the deep toned room: I'm balancing the blue room out with gold drapes that match the ceiling color. (that is if I quit avoiding them like I am now) This pic shows the color at it's truest on the computer...I took the color from the ocean in the picture of the boat and had it matched since the view from the room is also of the ocean: And again in insipid white: I wish the parlor across the hall was done to show you. It's 20x30 and will be done in a rich persimmon. I'm having fun with the bold colors of the victorian era myself :) I think they suit furnishings and art so much better than soft tones, and really make a huge room look rich and cozy. I have a friend who has a huge great room in a modern house that she did in a really bold brick red. When it first started going up it was frightening LOL but when it was finished, and all of her gorgeous leather and upholstry was added....yummy :) is the best description.

Thanks everyone! We are installing hardwood throughout the entire downstairs.The revere pewter is actually through french doors off of both rooms but you can't really see itwell from either room so I am not so worried about that going with the other rooms as much. It is mainly this view I want to flow well. I considered van cortland blue for the formal living room but it might be too dark/bold for me. I tend to be more neutral/conservative when decorating. And yes I love the yarmouth blue but don't think I want it everywhere. It looks perfect in the dining room.

I think the current paint is easily neutral enough for real estate sale. A better investment of your time and money might be to rent a storage unit and begin to eliminate the abundance of your things that are making the rooms look crowded. You also want the furniture you do keep in the home to give each room a purpose. For example, in pic #1 you have a china cabinet in the living area. For realty, it should be put in your dining room or stored, if you don't actually have a dining room. In the same photo, the table on the wall to the left and the piece on the right side are constricting the walkway into your living area. You want to increase the impression of spaciousness, so that little bottleneck should be eliminated. In the kitchen, I think your cabinets look fine and in good shape. You might want to replace the pulls and knobs with some that match the finish on your light fixture above the table. Clear the counters, remove the corner shelf with all the fall decor and remove the clock and calendar. Remove any wall signs. As well as I can tell, most of the items on your walls are too small and are hung too high. Better bare than just not right. You're way ahead of most people at this point in the game.