Remember Ann from Friday? She was kind enough to respond after I posted the answer to her paint color question with pictures of her home. Here is my response:
Ann, your new kitchen is GORGEOUS. The Sahara Mélange glass tiles paired with the Sierra Madre Silestone countertops and the natural tones of the wood cabinets are very good, very livable choices. You should be very proud of your decisions. I do agree with your plan to extend the wood tiles to the kitchen as well. The current white squares are not in balance with the open feeling to the space.
The reason you are having trouble finding a color from the-ahem-multiple swatches of colors you have used is because all of these colors are too saturated. They are competing with the wonderful elements you have, rather than enhancing them. Choose a color that allows the combination of the tiles and the counter to be the center of attention in the room. The Behr Winter Wheat (the longest and largest swatch at the top to the right of the table) is probably the closest to what you should aim for, but even it is too harsh.
Tyler Taupe may work, and I can see by your inquiring about it that you, too, are realizing the need for a calmer, softer color. I like the idea of working with a color with a green tone, which will serve as a nice compliment to the red accent wall opposite the kitchen and will contrast with the brownish tone in the new addition. Your thought to paint the entire entry area an orangish color is also a good one. This would give you the punch of color you are looking for.
Since you mentioned the Affinity colors from Benjamin Moore, let’s keep it simple and choose a few from this palette. My first choice would be the grayed green, Elemental. Of course remember that I am looking at snap shots on my monitor, but sitting here at my desk in Virginia, this looks like what you need –not too much green and not too much color, but still deep and rich and luxurious. The color seems to coordinate well with the Sahara Mélange tiles.
A bold choice for the entry would be Buttered Yam, but honestly, Etruscan, a much more mellow brownish orange, may serve to better balance the Elemental and still allow the red accent to be the focal point.
Finally, I would not add a chair rail to the entry area, or anywhere in the pictures you sent. There are already a lot of breaks in the wall spaces. Your home appears to be more contemporary. Thick base boards would be a better use of trim and would harmonize better with the style of your home, but these are not necessary. The vaulted ceilings? Leave ‘em white.
Good luck and remember to update us as you make progress!
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