I’m not a fan of non bright white ceilings— I lived with bone white (off white) walls and ceilings for a decade and by painting them ceiling white, it made the space feel cleaner and open. I have SW agreeable grey throughout my whole house and in lowlight areas, it looks tan. Have you tried that one?

I hate tan for a paint color it is not neutral and IMO pretty blah but I need to see your space .

I do think pictures would help a lot. Tan seems to be making its way around and is a pretty hot pick now. However it needs to work for you and your space. If it doesn’t. I would consider a blue. It will compliment any color tan you have and will be a fresh new color to look at.

@Liz H I have looked at agreeable grey. In the rooms with the east and north lighting it really washes out and looks dull. I like the color, but not in that space. There literally may be 3-4 small strips of areas for paint in the kitchen since my cupboards and molding will reach the ceiling. So unless I paint that ceiling the wall color, it may be very disjointed. Like you, I prefer the crisp white ceiling with the colored walls. But since the rooms are connected/open, while that scheme would look great in the nook part of the room, I have been told by multiple people that I should paint the ceiling in both rooms. As you are probably picking up, I am struggling with that idea. Thanks for your input.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting I understand that many beige/tan/greige colors are not neutral. I have done quite a bit of research and this is what I have read on more than one site:"

If you're seeking that perfect light and bright tan without that yellow or pink undertone then Sherwin Williams Natural Tan is your best bet - it lives up to its name “natural tan”. Take it a shade darker, adding a creamier and warm tone by using Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige."

Natural Tan is the color match for the paint in the rest of my rooms, which is why I am leaning toward it. I have seen images of several rooms with crisp bright white cabinets and a warmer color than a greige in east and north facing rooms. A color, like blue will not work on the walls as the furniture in the adjacent rooms would not match. What other colors might you suggest? And what would you do about the ceiling dilemma? I appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting Thanks so much! I really like the Gray Wisp. :) I also just looked at Quiet Moments. I have some existing furniture that I will have to work with, and am going to order Samplize squares to see if one of these green grays works. I haven't posted photos as to be honest, right now my home is totally torn up with boxes of packed materials, along with all of the construction tools, boxes of flooring, and cabinets stacked in every room. There just isn't much to see. Do you know off hand what Sherwin Williams colors are similar to the Gray Wisp/Quiet Moments? I've seen Sea Salt which I just read is similar but I recall it looking more blue in the space I saw it in. My contractor will be using SW paint. Have you seen Gray Wisp in North and East facing rooms? I tried samples of several of the more greige colors and they were very cold and drab in those rooms. I am not wanting a super cool effect, and would like something that leans subtle and warm. I appreciate you taking the time to offer me suggestions!

You can choose near neutral colours from every Hue Family to work alongside the fixed finishes and furnishings you aim to keep.

See the Colorographies at The Land of Color. .com for lots of popular near neutrals set into their Hue Families. They also allow you to compare and contrast details of such colours before short-listing to sample in your space.

I worked with a great designer for color consult help. You should too.

IMO your contractor needs to usew whatever paint you tell him to use. IMO without seeing the space i use a gray/ green alwsy like when the paint has to be chosen in a new build before the floor are installed. They are neutral and always seem to work with everything. A color consult can only work when all the other elemnets ar ein a space . BTW you can have SW color matched but thye will not be exactly yht esame but if you don’t have the other anywhaere to compare you probablt will be fine.