Agree with sandra on the flat paint. I just moved into a new house in July and had builder chalk white everywhere. Now I am a person who loves color but even if I were to keep the white walls, I'd have to put at least eggshell finish on them. I can't stand the texture of flat. I used eggshell in my great room and a satin finish everywhere else,... kitchen, baths and even the bedrooms. I was told by the guys in the paint store that I was making a mistake, that it would be too glossy. And I just don't agree. I have 3 kids and a big dog. I love the way my walls just wipe down and they don't look or feel dusty. I'm a pretty left-brained decor-challenged person, too. So I know what you mean when you say you have to pretty much copy the picture from the magazine. I've learned that that real life with my family means my house isn't going to look like the magazine and that I'm going to make some mistakes when I try to modify the plan. But my house is going to be comfortable and unique. And I wouldn't trade my 3 kids and big dog for a designer 'look.' What is it you like about the picture? Is it the color scheme, the simple lines of the modern furniture, the architecture, the glass? You may be able to have a room that you love without the white sofa. But if you really want white furniture, I have found that slipcovers are very helpful. I've had the fitted kind that cover the whole sofa. They did a great job of protecting the sofa but they were kind of a pain to retuck all the time. Now I have the kind that just lays over the the top, like this one. I have a cream-colored sofa from PB and I don't have to worry if the dog is shedding and the kids want to eat cheese curls while they watch TV. Here is a link that might be useful: slipcover

First thing to do is make sure you have the optimal efficient layout. Even if you think you do, I'd strongly recommend posting it here. The folks on here saved me from a huge mistake, had I gone with the design of the "highly recommended genius architect" that I'd hired to design my kitchen.

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I do like the idea of going with a softer trim color such as Linen. Would the house benefit most from a light trim or a dark trim? Any thoughts on using SW Urbane Bronze for trim and/or front door.

This photo isn’t quite your mix, but the example for you to go a bit darker with upholstery to balance the fireplace stone/brick/tv.