I see your dilemma was lost in the maze of houzz. West facing white? You need a blue or green undertone to balance the late afternoon yellow impact. B.M Patriotic White should do it…yes, it is not really white, but I am afraid that any white/white will go yellow on you. Hey, try painting an area…two coats.

I agree that tall walls are not for decorating all the way up. Generally you decorate down at human level and leave the high spaces as restful travel for the eye. The exception might be if there's a balcony or other room overlooking the high wall, for which the upper reaches thus become "eye level" and can appreciate very tall art. I don't understand what kind of high ceiling becomes "hellacious emptiness," but maybe you just don't like your house, or have decor that's making it feel heavy and empty rather than soaring and light. If the former, I'd move; if the latter, I'd post some photos and maybe we can help you humanize the lower reaches so that the heights don't oppress you so.

That is the issue with large sectionals - they don't always work in new spaces. I would try placing the TV flat on the long wall, and turn the sectional so it curves into the front window area with the back toward the entryway. That gives you an open area toward the other end of the room for a couple of chairs and your horizontal art. The art needs to be hung much lower - the middle of it should be at eye level when you're standing.

I had an inspection done, the plumbing and electrical are all up to date, thank God. There is no HVAC but I am going to see how this summer goes before I decide to install it through the house. I live in Virginia and the summers are hot but being up in the Blue Ridge keeps some of the humidity at bay. The windows are original and there are exterior aluminum storm windows covering them. I am hoping and praying that they are sufficient to keep the house from being windy inside. I think the cafe curtains and tension rods will work perfectly while I get settled. I was not planning on working on the exterior of the home right away but it looks like the porch roof will need to be replaced and all of the windows and trim around the exterior need to be painted. The 115 year old wood is exposed. The previous owners did NOTHING in the way of maintenance. The walls have been scribbled and written on by their children, they didn't bother to paint over it. So it has been at least 13 years since any exterior wood has been painted.