A big vote for a basic gray to be used throughout the whole area -- THEN add your orange accents in fabrics, artworks, rugs etc. In time -- and perhaps according to the seasons -- you MIGHT want to switch accent colors -- and this way -- it is easier to do .... Also -- perhaps consider waiting until you can find an inspiration piece -- like an area rug or artwork -- and THEN match the color and shade of gray -- MUCH easier to do in that order! :) For example check out BM Willowcreek #1468 -- a medium (but still fairly light warm gray) .... Hope you don't mind some thoughts!

kitch4me: The rug is fun, but I was worried it was too dark. The ceiling tiles will have to stay for now, but we will be replacing the fan with a new light fixture as soon as I can find one that doesn't hang too low. sis2two: Thanks for the color suggestions, I'll take a look at those. LOL olychick. I told my husband people would laugh at his sock, flipflop combination...he just laughed. His socks look like blue in the pic, but they are actually grey. tinan: My husband is out of work, but there is some budget for this. We have no mortgage or debt, and have some savings, so we're okay, just don't want to go crazy (I'm not much of a spender anyway) I should have said, the room is cluttered right now, and has things in it that shouldn't be there. The table in front of the TV is actually a stool we've been standing on for doing the sheetrock, so won't be staying. The bench in front of the window is actually the over the fridge cabinet from the kitchen! It won't be staying either. I actually don't like a lot of clutter, although I have to admit, I'm not an overly tidy person either :) I have ordered some white curtains from Ikea, they should be here next week. The angled bookcase was originally in our dining room. When we moved the bookcase to the living room we just threw some binders on. I have the books all piled up in the sunroom ready to go on after painting the room. My dh is pretty adamant that bookshelves have books, not decorative items on them! I agree mostly, though I do like a little variation. My wonderful dh actually finds the shelf full of binders very relaxing! We are both avid readers, don't have many visitors, and our home is where we spend most of our time. We have been thinking about putting in a window seat on the north window. We have to redo that entire wall as it is covered in ugly diagonal paneling! Thanks for all the suggestions so far. The only things that need to stay are: the couch (it's a small 2 seater),the arm chair, the rocking chair, the bookcases (by the window),the tv stand, and some sort of coffee or end table.

Huffychic I'm so glad I found your post, because I'm in the same dilemma with an adjoining wall in my dining room/kitchen and deciding on paint color. We just did a major reno of the kitchen with beautiful hickory cabinets, walnut flooring and granite counters with splashes of gold and deep gray (National Treasure). How do I join the dining room bright orange paint color (re-painting the dining room is not in scope with this project) with this kitchen? Huffy chic have you decided on anything?

Art is so very personal, IMHO. I like the older Monet styles of art, but something bright and bold would bring an infusion of color. Do you like contemporary? Do you like abstract? Do you like impressionism? Is there someone local that speaks to you? Do you want people in your art? Try a poster from art.com because it can be cheaper and may help you. We have a Hyunah Kim and a Vassileva in our hall bathroom!! I have impressionists in our living and dining room and a TC Steele in our dining room. I also have some original art in the LR/DR. The others are posters. So, what I am saying is, art is very personal. You need to find some that speaks to you!!!