I think there area a lot of things you could do but it depends on the "feeling" you want to give the space. Modern? Traditional? Wild? Also, I would want to try and find a color upstairs that I could pull into the stairwell or landing so that it transitions well. You said the walls upstairs are Vanilla ice cream (yummy) - but what are the accent colors in the upstairs rooms. Any bright warm blues? Reds? Oranges? Light greens? Warm colors are great for small dark areas. Esp trimmed with pure white. I would avoid pastel or greyish tones. So little light will only make those colors more dull. IMO I'm personally partial to yellow. My northern facing small den and kitchen area are much warmer and feel brighter painted yellow; more than when they were beigey-white. And yes, it took a LOT of samples to find one that worked in every light and corner of the room. But it works (all the trim is bright white.) The yellow follows one wall up into the landing space of the stairs, but then the wall of my VERY dark stairwell is bright white with a sheen to make it reflective. I did hang artwork on the landing to pull the colors together. One painting on the yellow wall and one on the white wall - both the same artist, feel, and related colors. I like it. Another thought, is to incorporate stripes (I'm getting into stripes lately. You could do the foyer in a warm color, but on the wall that extends upstairs (and maybe one other) paint bright white horizontal stripes. That gives you color but lightens it up. And the horizontal shape will help make the space look bigger. On another thread, as an example, someone posted this link of aqua and white stripes. http://www.thehandmadehome.net/2010/06/the-veranda/ Another idea is to keep it all the same color as upstairs, but add marvelous art and lighting fixtures, and maybe jazz up the risers of the stairs. Here's another post I found in FW that has some GREAT ideas you might be able to use: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg071758089676.html Here is a link that might be useful: aqua stripes

I guess I was wrong not from Lowes. It is from our local decor shop and I would have to wait till Monday to get the brand. It is called Pongee. Here is the blend from the can. Blk OP 2 YOX 2P 26 OXR 1P3 that is in a pure wht tint base. Other wise I will be glad to smear some on a card and they can zap to find your blend. c

I wouldn't put anything under the niches and especially not two different kinds of things plus a table away from the wall by the door. If you want an elegant look in this space, I think less is more. I might paint the walls on the back of the niche a darker shade or different color and the shelf a lighter or darker shade and then put all my effort into art. You might be able to put a minimal console between the door and the niche if you really need a landing space, but I would really resist the urge to over-furnish the space.

That single plate is too small for that wall. It's probably going to be too small as a single on any wall. How about getting a plate stand and displaying on what looks to be a buffet in the dining room? As for the rest of your walls, I'd be happy to make recommendations, but not without seeing the entirety of each room. The foyer wall, for example, is located where in relation to the front door? Is that wall the first thing you see when you enter?