You need samples before you select. I would suggest you try these: Very inexpensive and great soft white tones. https://www.houzz.com/projects/1292813/tongue-in-chic-collection http://www.alysedwards.com/collections/31/tongue-in-chic Try "Don't be Shell Out" and "I think I'll Bisque it" colorways. These have a great hand cut appearance at an incredibly palatable price. Use a one third off set install, they are 2. 5 x 10 inches. Match the grout.

That's what happens when it's not painted properly. It's a different story when brick is painted with the proper prep and product. With that said, the look you have right now is a look people work really hard to achieve. The flaking paint on brick might just be serendipity. Check out the Romabio IG feed and you'll see what I mean. You could leave it as is and the more that flakes off, may be the better. https://www.instagram.com/romabiopaints/

I am no help with colors, but I will advise you to prime the oil painted fixtures before painting them with latex paint. I once lived in a house with all oil painted walls. Back then, you had to prime them with oil-based primer to switch to latex paint, or the latex would simply peel off in time. Since I could not breathe oil paint fumes, there was no way for us to paint the house interior! Nowadays, I believe that latex primer will do the trick.

I'm with you, I generally hate "ceiling white" when I see it in a room. Why not use Alabaster? it is a white, isn't it? Or, you can use a pale whiff of color - if your walls have a color, you could use a similar color, or a color that complements but doesn't match. White walls, any pale color you like!