I agree with your husband: trust your instincts. Sure, you'll have a couple of missteps, but that's to be expected as none of us are static and many of us upgrade as budget permits -- just part of the process of learning about yourself. Fill your home with what you love, however slowly as you need to create your haven, not ours. That being said, your perfect daylight greige is likely affected by the lightbulbs. Try Reveal and add a dimmer if you don't already have one. Lots of candles as everyone looks fab by candlelight and your DR will be wonderful. Next paint job on your agenda in another room, if you want to save a bit of money, try Pittsburgh Paint Manor Hall. Nearly half the price of Aura, and I like the hand ever so much better. I've used Aura for years since it first came out, but I really like Manor Hall better. As far as your chandie/mirror dilemma, I'd opt for round on one and rectangular on the other. Since you already have the mirror and are open to leafing or painting it, then an easy out is a round chandie. Have you looked at any of the antique crystal chandies on Ebay and considered adding a drum shade? But if you truly think you'll love the rectangular chandelier, I've seen some nice ones of Ebay as well as the selection on Overstock. Finally, rather than wed yourself to a color concept for the back of the cabinets, would you consider paper, fabric or even painted panels that you can change when you want? You can easily find just the right striking print or color rather than struggle with paint. Many of us have bought enough samples to paint a house so that's not a route I'd advise. I'm a fan of practical displays until you have the budget to devote to passion collections so add whatever sparkly crystal stemware and candlesticks and any silver pieces you have to the cabinets for the interim. HTH!

I love the first and last stripe! I like the way the line draws your eye up and the last one is simple enough to not compete with the rug or the armoire. the one I picked was tough; there were so many that had your colors in them at Horchow! That one seemed to go more with your rug (which looked red, gold and brown on my monitor!)because it didn't have any green, but in the end I was thinking it had a subtlety that might work. having all of the colors represented is probably your best bet, though- it definitely brings your eye all the way around the room in a nice way. IMHO, you can't make your walls look too tall. Drawing the eye up is almost always a great thing. And I think some height will balance out the weight of the armoire as well. but only you can see how things look in person! clearly you have great taste!

The wall color is SW Ramie. The chair was my grandmothers, and it is just sort of a placeholder right now. I have been searching for new chairs. I would really like to get 2 chairs, but I am unsure how to arrange everything. I would also like to get a new rug--I've been coveting a real hand-knotted forever. The current rug is very nice, 100% wool Couristan machine woven. It is in the same line as My3dog's lovely living room rug. They have been selling this line of rugs in the last year at Tuesday morning for less than half price. It doesn't come off quite as pale in person. I want to eventually move it into my bedroom, where it will be perfect. Does anyone have recommendations for a rug? What color scheme? I really like some of the orientals that are a bit more modern without a really tight or busy pattern. Something maybe like this: This rug is from Williams Sonoma home, and is way out of my price range at over $2K. Is it possible to get a hand-knotted for around $1K? I need at least an 8x10.

I don't think there are any rules about what kind of art can go in what kind of room. Art sets a mood quicker than anything else. So it's all about the mood you want the room to have. You've created a powder room that's warm and welcoming—what could be better than that!?!