Thanks all! Ttodd and awm, those pics really help. I think you are right - trim color it is. If I don't like it, I can always do it wall color later. In fact, I'll just have the painter skip it completely -- it will stay white like it is now and when he's done, I'll get the idea of whether it looks right in white or not. If not, I'll paint it wall color. Thanks all! Now, if I can only get over my "issues" about hiring a painter in the first place. This is my first time hiring a painter. I've always done my own painting and really enjoy it -- I'm just hard up for time these days with a job and 2 kids. I tend to be persnickety about the final paint job and often do 3 or 4 coats because I'm not happy with the coverage of 2. But I don't like ladders (or falling!) so I knew we were going to hire a painter to do the tall walls over the stairs and in a big open two-story area over the breakfast room. The painter we picked came recommended by a friend and his price seemed good ($300 for the tall stuff) so I asked him what it would cost to do the rest of the walls and ceilings that aren't done - he quoted another $800. Still seems like a good deal for all this space, but I'm having pangs about paying $800 for painting walls I can very well reach myself. Then again, I'm going to have my hands full wtih all the trim, plus we have two small kids who would probably rather be going places with mom and dad on the weekends instead of hanging out in the house while mom and dad paint. And I'm worried that I won't be happy with the final job because of how picky I've been in the past. He says he'll do as many coats as I want (for an extra fee, of course) but the prices he quoted only include 2. So anyway, I'm very nervous about how this whole experience is going to go...hoping I end up happy and feeling like the money we're spending is worth it. Thanks for all the advice!

I pick all my paint colors at one time. Ceiling, wall and trim. I make sure I look at the paint chips in the room I'm going to use them in in a variety of light. Both natural and man made. I always start by painting the ceiling and then the walls and then the trim. When you use a roller or even a paint brush you learn pretty fast about drips and splatter. It's alot like when you clean . You start at the top and work your way down so any dust or dirt doesn't ruin the work you've already done. Same with painting. Start at the top and work your way down.

It is near impossible to suggest a color trusting monitors…but I will give you a color to look at with the off-white trim, as that’s a lot of trim to paint white. Try this color on the wall (two coats). I think you need a color with more brown in the mix: B.M. Silver Fox. Silver Fox is a great backdrop for you gray upholstery (which is probably why the now gray walls are fighting with the furniture.)

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