Just do a white, then when you paint the rest of the space, you can decide on a color then. White will brighten the room quite a bit. Put some birch logs in that fireplace, too, to divert the eye down from the big black TV screen. You can have birch logs delivered.

You can go with white

Or with existing wall color

bump

I'd have to say I love the existing color - the clay or spice or whatever.... with the bookshelves and fireplace you have the opportunity to do a fun, funky color. Looks good with the flooring, too! :)

I would paint the middle section white.

The middle section white

Or paint the middle section the same color as the other walls.

How about enhancing the FP/TV with some rich color and some more trim while leaving the plain bookcases plain?

Project in Tiburon · More Info

ok

Oh yeah, the middle section the same as walls while keeping the fun book shelves background color is awesome. I wouldn't go all white.

Definitely white, even better if you paint it all in trim paint. It will make your built-ins look like they have backs and will bounce light nicely throughout the space.

My vote: Bev's post current paint and her 2nd rug's vibrant additon.

Or celerygirl's same paint as other walls - after all there's plenty of interest in the shelving without accenting with another paint color....

This is ironic. I just finished painting the back of my bookcases that clay color.

I am rallied by the fact that none of you think the taupe or rust color are ugly/outdated? I moved into this house last May and liked the colors when I moved in, then a friend made an innocent comment about the “ugly taupe” when I was painting another room and now it’s stuck in my head and I am looking at things differently.

Bev, can you tell me where the rugs are from you photoshopped? Thank you so much by the way! I agree it makes a big difference.

Celery girl, I so appreciate your visuals

I like the color it is right now, the best, and adding a rug like Beverlys second picture would be perfect. Your current rug, really does nothing for the room.

True that one person's view of a 'no' is another person's "yes!" who cares well I don't even know her ;)

Rust/orange as tertiary color has an affinity for purple another tertiary ... do I have that right? Well if you want a traditional with deep colors, here's an idea.

Was a time that rust was with brown and avocado, but those weren't the only combinations ever ... :)

Transitional Distressed Vintage Floral Persian Medallion 8x10 Area Rug · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/modway-distressed-vintage-floral-persian-medallion-8x10-area-rug-r-1157a-810-prvw-vr~150005965

Just example - this rug, there'd be enough pattern that the accent paint could be ligtened some. Maybe Bev will be 'on' and post her rug....

do you have a coffee table? it can be a difference...

Safavieh Bohemian BOH637A 5'x8' Brown/Gold Rug · More Info

A bit too whitewashed? Transitional / W 40.75" / D 25.25" / Removable tray-top / whitewashed look for coastal or shabby chic... Classic cross-leg silhouette.

Belari Tray-Top Cocktail Table, Whitewash · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/safavieh-bohemian-collection-boh637-rug-brown-gold-5-x8-prvw-vr~51644612

https://www.houzz.com/products/belari-tray-top-cocktail-table-whitewash-prvw-vr~151575044

I like the rust color with Celerygirl 2nd rug choice.

Direction of distressed items added?

Copper Matador Leather and Hemp Rug, 9'x12' · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/copper-matador-leather-and-hemp-rug-9-x12-prvw-vr~40384724

Furniture of America Barb Magazine Rack Coffee Table in Light Oak · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/furniture-of-america-barb-magazine-rack-coffee-table-in-light-oak-prvw-vr~127550557