I agree that your blinds should match the white of your trim as best you can. If you go with the creamy ivory, I think they're going to look yellow or dingy next to the trim. I really don't think white blinds are going to draw your eye to look at them any more than an off white would. also, I think you'd be happier with the faux blinds vs. opaque duettes - which I think would block your view more and make you feel more closed in. As far as the faux vs. real, I have both, and you really can't tell the difference. I ordered my blinds from blinds.com - their house brand faux and I have one window that is 96" and did one blind. That blind is heavy and I think it would be a problem to raise and lower it every day. But, to be honest, why would you raise and lower the blinds? Other than to clean them, I just shut or open them, and the size has no affect on that functionality. Wood blinds have that heavy bottom panel, and really don't look nice raise half way etc. You can't really raise them out of the way anyways because all the slats take up headroom. So, in a long winded response - go with faux, check out the pricing on blinds.com(great customer service and excellent pricing), and 72" shouldn't be a problem for a single blind across both windows. One last thing, if you are worried about 72", you can order two blinds on a single head rail, so it's one blind across the top for the mounting and the header bar, but there's two independently controlled blinds underneath. You would measure them so that the blinds are separated right at your center divider between the two windows. I did this in my son's room - on his 96" window because I was afraid he'd break them if he didn't raise them carefully. The problem here is you need to adjust each blind separately and it's a pain to get them exactly in alignment if you open and close them alot. Hope this helps!

Oh I'm sure I won't be able to pull off ALL white/cream rooms (even though I've seen them online and love them if they're done right). I also love white rooms with splashes of color. My floors will be hardwood, so that will warm it up a lot right there, and I will have a few aged wooden and metal accents here and there unless I decide to paint them all. It's all sort of evolving as I go along and I don't know how white it will be in the end. I love simple, clean farmhouse style and cottage (if it's not too fluffy) and will actually be living in a farmhouse. So will be incorporating rustic/vintage/aged pieces (junk!) and interesting textures throughout my home. The house I'm in now is fairly dark and my style until now has been dark. But I'm ready for a change, and am excited about having a light house (first time homeowner). The grass is always greener, I guess! I know white is associated with apartments, but I've never lived in a house with white walls (or very light) and want to try it out for awhile. Also, since I'm not actually living in the house yet I thought it was too risky to choose colors at this time. Next time I paint I may go with a completely different scheme, who knows. Guess I'm boring... I also prefer nuetral walls over colors at this point (even though I like other people's colorful homes). I find it easier to incorporate color through the home's furnishings than on the wall. Thanks for all comments so far and for helping this newbie out.

@penn307 omg that’s so weird because SW Alabaster looks peachy in my house! I still haven’t found another review saying that to this day, and I’m so baffled when people say it looks grey/yellow. Its really grown on me and I like the vibe of it. now I’m painting the whole house either chantilly lace or simply white BM and they both look ver y stark next to the alabaster. See how peachy the alabaster looks in comparison to the other whites? On the left is chantilly lace, center is Swiss coffee @ 75%, right is simply white BM.

All Alabaster trim looks great with Alabaster walls, but potentially can become a real headache down the line if you are likely to fancy whiter, more neutral wall colours. For the trim then is more colourful, less neutral than the walls which may limit some choices.(not a problem if more neutral whites are unlikely) FOR ceilings suggest either Alabaster or Delicate White or Extra White. Delicate White or Extra White & Alabaster have enough difference in Chroma (colorfulness) that the walls would not appear dingy by comparison. Which option you choose depends upon how much contrast you enjoy between wall and trim. Even Alabaster will offer subtle contrast when painted in a different sheen on the trim, the other suggestions will show a stronger contrast and feel more crisp. Ceilings painted the same colour as the walls can often look a little darker and more greyed by comparison. actual Ceiling paint can appear very stark in some lighting.