I think you're stuck because it looks great as it is. As you mentioned, you already have pops of color. The light walls really play that off. Normally I prefer painted walls as opposed to white or off white, but sometimes painting the walls is not the answer. Just leave it alone.

I actually wouldn't paint it. I'd just add more pops of color -- I think it looks great as is

I think a grey would be nice, light-medium. If you like the color of the table and the furniture you have, then a neutral would probably be the best option.

I agree with Dalila. The first thing that popped out my mouth was "it looks fine". IF you decide to paint the walls, the only other color I could see working is gray because it won't take away from the color you have in your home.

I would just add green plants with delecate structures- climbers, tiny leaves, tiny colored buds or flowers, tendrils, etc. This would accentuate the delicate light in the room.

Othewise its fine as it is :-)

I don't know that I'd actually do it, but I'd be sorely tempted to paint the walls between the picture rail and the top of the baseboard the same teal/gray/green whatever color of the San Francisco aerial photo in the poster. The two parallel walls would read, as you looked toward the window, as part-high partitions, with the ceiling floating beyond them. Were I the one doing it, I'd tell myself I'm also highlighting the very attractive picture rail while implying a higher ceiling. I'd wait for a day when I know I'd be tempted (having the paint and brush already at hand) and then suddenly spring into action. As I type this I'm gazing at a similar space in my own apartment and wishing I had your opportunity, so this may simply be vicarious and wishful thinking on my part. But...

oh, and paint the radiator the same color as the walls :-)

Allison, I empathize as I just finished painting my living space. I subscribe to Maxwell's 80/20 rule, so for my wall color I selected a neutral, Benjamin Moore's "China White."

But when I found that the color was washed out by all the natural light, I had the paint store mix the same color at 200%. The result is a beautiful greige that complements neutrals as well as the pops of color. And the crown molding, trim, and baseboard are painted Benjamin Moore "Super White" and offer a crisp contrast to the soft, neutral walls. Bonne chance!

I like it as is. There's so much trim- it would start looking fussy if you painted the walls and trim differently. I like the suggestions of adding more plants. I'd also like to suggest painting the inside of the front door! That's an easy way to put a pop of color in a place that's otherwise difficult to 'decorate.'

I agree that it's just fine! I, too, would add more pops of color based on the artwork you already have up. A little more green and blue should do the trick. Try painting the flower pots the same blue in the art on the hutch wall. Then add some color to the hutch with some knobs and wallpaper on the back.

Take the money you would spend painting the walls and buy a more substantial (not necessarily larger, just less stick like) dining set. I think a neutral colored table and colorful chairs would work better against the large artwork and light walls.

I agree with pretty much everyone above. Don't paint. Instead, add more pops of color. I'd recommend a larger plant to bring in some green, some great curtains behind the couch.

The pear print and its neighboring San Francisco print look like the start of a great gallery wall, which will both bring more color and balance the size of the art on either side of the wall. (I love the huge satellite photo, but it's so big that the other side needs more).

I'd like to add that I think in general you appear to have great taste- so no matter what anyone here says, stick with your gut!

Sorry, but I can't think about colors until you move that large print by the yellow table. It looks like an accident waiting to happen, besides which it's a disservice to the print to have it (or its frame) partially obscured by the table. The pear and SF prints are on a wall that cries out for a larger piece, IMHO... maybe try swapping them out?

I would not paint either and, as stated, add more pops of colour by painting the door - maybe the red of that chair and paint the back of that cabinet in the yellow of your table. Perhaps even adding a brightly coloured curtain panel (does not have to be functional) on each end of the window would give you that colour in the room you want.

Surf blue by Ben. Moore on at least one wall and white trim and other walls. Trust :)

If I had a place that bright and sunny, I would leave the walls white. It's beautiful!

p.s. add a brighly-coloured trim to the top and bottom of that lamp shade in your window if you don't opt for the curtain panels to put some colour there. Ribbon and a glue gun will do the trick.

Pale mint green. It would help the large print settle into the wall, and create contrast with the yellow and reds. It would also help the white pieces seem more graphic and purposeful.

I think you could go light with a dove grey to keep the room airy, or you could go dark with a dark purple-grey color. The red and yellow will pop off it, and it's a romantic color. That's my 2 cents!

I love grey tones with the yellow-y greenish color of your little bistro table and also with the nice bright pops of color you have already chosen.

mint! just one wall.

If you have to paint, I would go with a light grey color, painting all of the walls and leaving the rails.

I would not paint.....I would get brightly colored flowerpots and paint the radiator a bright complementary color, making it look more like a piece of furniture. I would also consider a deep colored rug under coffee table.

I'm with Honest Day-- I would work from the teal/turquoise/gray color in the San Francisco aerial picture as the main color for the walls, picture rail, and above the picture rail. In the back window nook area I would probably go a shade darker than the main color. If I was feeling really gutsy, I might even paint the ceiling. (AT has a great post on painted ceilings-- though this might make the room feel too small.)

I don't think it need any painting at all. You have strong pieces that work better with a white wall, but if you wanna do it, try a light grey or green, maybe something around lavender and leave the rails and the boards white as they are. good luck!

You need a touch of gray with warm (cream) undertones. Awesome compliment to yellow! I would do Ben Moore's Natural Cream for a very subdued look. For something stronger I would do Ben Moore's Revere Pewter or Pashmina. It does look great if you don't want to paint, but I do think putting the right hue on the walls would complete the space.

I have the same issue in my flat (altho i'm in London so HAVE to make the most of every ray of sunlight!) I have decided to keep the living room simple and white and add colour with furnishings as most people here seem to agree. StephieR's suggestions are great; colourful curtains can give the room a lift without taking away any light. Either way the room looks nice as is.

I agree that the neutrals and whites completely let the wonderful furniture and art infuse the room with their energy. If I were to add any color at all, I would paint a small accent wall some very light grey/green from the tones in that marvelous map poster above the yellow table and chairs. Beautiful space.

I agree with others, I would leave the walls as is. Paint the armoire a funky glossy turqouise blue and put up some curtains and you are good to go!

I think it would look great painted a medium to light grey color, with the trim and picture rail remaining white. If you wanted to get really funky, you could paint the picture rail the same color as your beloved table, which would play off the other yellows in the room, too. I think the room would be improved by having an actual color, as opposed to the cream that is there now.

I second your idea of grey (I might be slightly biased by my love of grey walls). Something like Behr's Silver Drop. My bedroom before I moved was painted this color, it's such a light and subtle grey that it doesn't clash with darker charcoals like your couch and makes other colors pop.

What a beautiful space! I would paint the walls "Argos," a gorgeous true grey by Sherwin Williams (SW 7065). I generally paint trim to contrast (ours is all a creamy white), but I like the idea of keeping it monochromatic. If you want to draw attention to it without making your room too busy, you could do a different sheen (flat on the walls and gloss on the trim) for fun. Your room and furniture are fantastic; good luck!

I love Benjamin Moore's selections of grey. It looks like you have great taste. Go with your gut, you won't get it wrong!

What about a color on the ceiling, and maybe also above the rail on the walls?

There is so much wonderful trim in the space; I suggest highlighting it with a color 2 or 3 shades darker than the walls. This includes all crown. picture and base mouldings, window and doors trims and the doors.

My first instinct was "it looks awesome the way it is".
If it were me (and I tend to be pretty brave with paint), I'd go with a soft (but not too soft) pink. It would look great with the grellow table, red chair, grey sofa and existing artwork.

I love your home. Here is my advice, for what it's worth...Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray. It's light and airy and will go with everything. It is not a pop of color because you already have those! It is understated and rich. Paint everything...every single wall and the picture rail! It will be fabulous and beautiful! Also...try grouping your pictures a bit. Not just one here and one there. It's okay if you have some bare walls until you find more art that you love. Have fun! Can't wait to see what you do!

I'm not always a fan of white walls, but it does look nice. If you keep it white, I suggest adding more "pops" of color through the room.

Otherwise, there's a color just featured on Making it Lovely that Nicole painted her office. Sort of a blueish gray and it's very pretty and would work well with any color I think. It's Sherwin Williams content. Here's the link to see pics of it: http://makingitlovely.com/2011/08/16/my-newly-redone-office/

Don't paint !!!
Add colour the same way You already did !
Chairs, pillows, paintings... and You can change it.
With basic furniture that You have, it's easy to change , once You choose the colour for the walls, it will determine everything else permanently - boring !
Why Do You keep sofa in front of the window, so it is impossible to enjoy the view or just light !

a pale "Robin's Egg Blue" (light blue with a tinge of green) on every wall. Leave the picture rail white. Paint a paler version between the picture rail and the crown.

Looking at all your furniture I think you should paint your living room a cool color like this green I found on this English website http://www.dulux.co.uk/servlet/ColourAvailabilityHandler?name=green_parrot_3
It's called Parrot Green 3.
It's calming, not to 'in your face'
A perfect color for your living room.
Also you asked 'Should I paint all the walls?'
I would say, no. On your 4th picture you have a picture of a big window with two walls either side. Paint them to walls and then paint the rest white.
Your other question was 'Would you paint the picture rail?' Paint it white like the other walls.
I hope I helped you!

I think a grey would be nice. And with the yellow accents it should pop.

Paint the ceiling only -- either a brilliant school bus yellow, or a laquery peacock or turquoise. Gloss is important!

pam h
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

I think the one wall behind the table would look so cool if you painted it horizontal stripes of very light grey and a creamy white. I would leave the rest of the walls white.

It looks good as is. But my first thought of color is a cobolt blue and as an accent wall where the china cabinet is. But then again the color you have now is nice and airy and helps make the room look bigger.

I would say a an extremley light blue with thin vertical pinstriping of the color you already have. That may take some guts to do, but in my slightly odd opinion I think it would work.

What about painting the trim? A yellow or aqua or red?

Your space is beautiful! I also agree that you don't need to paint, just add more pops of color and plants. The idea to paint the door sounds interesting too.

Pale coral, leave the trims the same color you have, put up some climbing plants (they will thrive) and hang some patterned curtains~ maybe couch-gray, your wall color now, and bits of other colors. I know you've got a rainy season coming, so some sunny bits of color inside would be satisfying.

I'd go with gray!

AQUA! Paint all of the walls aqua and paint/leave the trim - including rail - white. Aqua will really allow your fun furniture pieces - yellows, chartreuse and coral, POP! You can pull a color that works well with the water in the satellite image. Also, the back of the built-in is calling out for a shot of color or maybe a bit of wallpaper (or simply a decorative paper). Enjoy!

Why paint? It looks great.

Something like Sherwin Williams "Austere Gray"...it's a subtle, neutral gray-aqua shade. It looks great with other shades of green (especially chartreuse,) as well as yellow and red. I would paint the picture rail the same color as the wall...

Or don't change the paint...I agree that it looks nice as is!

Gray! A light shade that will not compete with the sofa. The warm tone as it is now is not helping your furniture (which rocks!). I would say a warm gray with yellow undertones. Silver Drop by Behr is a good one, you can see that we tested it here:

<http://thenestinggame.com/2011/02/02/paint-it-gray/

Of course, seeing as how this is a Sherwin-Williams sponsored post, I'm sure they have a lovely shade that is quite similar. :)

Another vote for matching your walls to the gorgeously rich "water color" from your SF print. The room looks too washed out right now and you're losing some furniture without contrast (the hutch and chairs, rug, etc). The cool tones of the paint will be a nice counterpart to the warm wood floors.

Keep your mouldings and trim as-is to highlight the beautiful architecture in this room, which is lost in the current style. The red and yellow will still pop against this color, but now you'll also get some pop from your white/neutral features too. Given the number of windows and doors in this space (that will remain white), you actually aren't painting too much and you'll still have a good balance of light-to-dark, plus the benefit of a ton of natural light.

If it were mine, then I'd be tempted to paint all the walls in a turquoise paler than the bluish green in the big framed print. I'd paint all the trim, including the picture rail, bright white, and maybe paint the ceiling in the table chartreuse. I'm clearly in the minority, though, and agree it already looks good. Also, I second pippigirl's suggestion to switch the big framed piece over the table with the two smaller framed pieces on the opposite wall.

Horizon by BM

Please don't paint it. It's beautiful as it is. any color is going to take emphasis away from the brilliant cushion and table and your other rad pieces. I'm a firm believer that walls are there to hold up the roof. Let them do their job and let the color come from your furniture, art, cushions, etc.

You seem to not be afraid of color so how about Lavender Ice BM 2069-60 flat with the same color in high gloss for the trim?!

Gasp! Leave it as-is!

If you really want to go bold, I would choose an orchid color. In the first photo, I though that was the color of the chair peeking out. I would just paint the wall behind the table because the orchid and yellow colors will really pop against each other, and it still works with the couch color and other accent colors. It would be a small shot of color that wouldn't be too overwhelming and would be easy to change.

The color I'm thinking is along the lines of Benjamin Moore's "Twilight Magenta" or "Liliac Pink".

I agree with very pale grey which is nearly white.

You already mentioned a grey, but that would almost be too sad, as the light is really lovely. It's kind of obvious that you really want to paint, so I'm throwing this out there, and don't poo-poo it before you check out all shades. I'm suggesting a *really* light, not grey/not too colorful - lilac or lavendar. People really forget that all shades og purple are actually neutrals, in that there's a little bit of the whole color wheel in there. A light lilac/lavendar would tie the yellow, the brown etc together. Keep it below the trim though, the extra white abpve the trim would be fab, and you need it in that small space.

Do yourself a favor and find small swatches that match the yellow, brown etc, and buy some test paint and pick the one that disappears the most behind those colors.

dark red or dark turquoise/aqua accent wall! Alternatively, grey would do well too but with the wood floor I would prefer a non-neutral color.

I think a bluish-greenish pale gray would be lovely. And I wouldn't paint the picture rail. Also, I'd use it for that big poster!

Do not TOUCH the walls! The colours (or the lack of) are just fine. You have great furniture (red chair!) that make your space cosy and stylish.

If you wanted to paint, and felt absolutely compelled to, I'd recommend JUST painting the inside of the large window frame. Maybe a slate blue color. It would offset your yellow accents beautifully. But I agree wholeheartedly that you should leave the majority of the walls as-is and use accents to add more color. It's a beautiful space and I am jealous!

my vote is grey... in a similar shade as the current color. grey will make it look more modern without sacrificing the wonderful light your windows give or sacrificing your ability to redecorate. if you paint anything other than a neutral, you might limit yourself when buying new pieces for the room that have pops of color. keep the the moulding the current color.... a fresh coat of grey will make them pop without standing out TOO much....

btw... LOVE the yellow accents :D

I'd pick a moody gray-greenish-blue from that large painting/art but in a pale shade, not very saturated.

1. I know it's crazy, but I'd choose something much warmer for that much light. Rather than match the sea-green of the satellite print, I'd go with a complementary color in the vicinity of a salmon. Benjamin Moore "Smashing Pink" and "Mixed Fruit" are my first & second choices to go with the print, the brown sofa, all the yellow accents, and the pine floors. The room looks too small to go with anything dark.

2. I'd paint no more than 2 walls, adjoining rather than opposing.

3. I probably would paint over the picture rail, since not painting it would make the room even smaller, in my opinion. Obviously, don't touch the trim or the built-in.

It sounds like most everyone is in agreement, you have great taste and sense of style and your living room looks wonderful as is!

However if you can't stand the white walls, I would suggest a light greige. Then I would contrast all of the trim and built in with stark white. Paint the inside of the built in cabinet the same chartreuse as your table (BTW, love that!!).

Or if you want something a bit more bold... paint the ceiling with a bright chartreuse or aqua. You could even do stripes in one of these colors. Then, leave the walls and trim as is in white.

Whatever color you choose and whatever walls/ceiling you decide to paint, select a high sheen to be sure that you get a great reflection of light. Take advantage of what you've got! I think that is key.

Can't wait to see what you decide to do!

grey, pale green or pale blue. Maybe a robbin's egg color. The room is so pretty it doesn't need a strong color! :)

There's a Ralph Lauren paint color called "Architectural Cream," which is actually a very pale khaki to taupe, depending on the light, but it definitely has a green cast. If you really want a bit of color, this might work for you.

Gray was the first color I thought of -- contemporary and a great neutral for the colors already working in the room.

Have to agree with the others. Although I love color on walls, this time, I think it would detract. Looks like you have a lot of architectural detail in a relatively small place. Keeping it all white allows you to have a clean modern feeling while still enjoying the character of the molding, etc. If you paint a color, it will either feel busy or potentially look strange to have the molding painted over in a color.

I would also go with a turquoise/teal color on the long wall with the 2 paintings. It would focus your eyes on the 2 paintings and add a little drama. The neutral colors are great in sunlight but on damp, cool days a wall of color will help your mood.

I agree with the (few) others who suggested the green in the SF aerial picture. It would be great with all of the other colors in the room and is blue enough so you won't think Christmas when paired with the red chair. I also think the dark color would help pull the room together. With so many "pops" of color, it feels a bit disjointed. A strong color on the walls will make it all cohesive while at the same time letting your yellows and chartreuses stand out a bit more than they do against the cream.

I would paint every wall and make the picture rail the same color. Other trim could be white - or you could paint it and the ceiling green as well for a whole jewel box feel.

I was immediately struck with the idea of a light grey as well. Make sure it is light enough that the darker couch still appears bold against it. I think that little table would look absolutely delightful against a light grey as well!

Poppy orange accent wall at the long wall. mushroom grey throughout.

If you're craving a bit more color, and if the colors portrayed by my monitor are accurate, it looks to me like you could do one wall in a tangerine or thereabouts, and have some fun. Me, I'm a cool color person generally, but maybe you'd like the variety?

I'd recommend painting it a nice peach/apricot color, not too orangey, but not too pastel-y, either. I think it would make the lime green chairs even more prominent, and would also coordinate with the sofa.

Don't paint it! It's beautiful as is!

http://www.facebook.com/?action=read&tid=4ec2306756d04823909b562aa0c72a77&sk=inbox&page&query

or

http://www.facebook.com/?action=read&tid=4ec2306756d04823909b562aa0c72a77&sk=inbox&page&query

don't know if that worked

A very pale gray!

I love the walls as is too

The pear print -- is it Marimekko?

You could do grey, but look into something with some lavender to it and the purple undertones - something that would make that green/yellow table pop. You could go dark aubergine and that would make the artwork stand out...but I'd be afraid you'd lose the light, airy feeling. Paint large swatches before you do anything.

I don't know if anyone else suggested this, but a bold rug may be the only punch of color you would need. If that's not doing it for you, I would agree with the masses and go for a pale grey.

french gray and leave the trim white...DO NOT paint that trim! : )

I agree that it looks good as is, but I'm also a big fan of color. I think a pale shade of aqua or a soft taupe would coordinate nicely. Although, I'd probably get carried away and paint my room a brighter shade.

i think don't paint the walls - paint the ceiling

I'm probably a wildcard but a deep blue purple with a lot of black in it behind your zesty green/yellow table would really pop. I would also follow that color over the window. It will increase the look of the size of your room and deepen the impact of your design. Considering some more colorful drapes, maybe something with a light pattern but bold colors would be really effective. GOOD LUCK!!

I'm partial to rich taupe these days, and it looks great with anything from a red accent wall to bright aqua accents.

I'm doing a family room now in greyish blue walls, a light lime accent wall, and teal/aqua accents.

I'm saving the taupe for my living room and can't wait!!!!

"refined" by Ben Moore - light light grey with a hint of green, like air almost.

paint the white cabinet in the living room near the sofa, so that it adds some 'pop' of color.

Turquoise, or a similar light blue. It would be calming and make her existing furniture pop!

I just saw these new paint colors today on a blog I follow. It's a Swedish paint company but I'm sure you can find similar colors locally. Basically, I think the place looks nice with white walls so muted colors are a safe in-between choice. That's what I would do.

http://pinterest.com/pin/120242828/

I agree with the grey people are suggesting, but here's one that may be not so common..how about painting the bottom half in a rich navy? Something more blue and less like black. I'm seeing it painted navy until you hit the moulding that is top 1/3 of the wall. then fill the wall opposite the white cabinet with your large frames grouped in a grid, so as to balance the navy...and you can help the colours pop more by adding a couple plants or a pot of flowers.

or, you can even just do an accent wall, maybe the one with the dining table, or the one opposite it.

Forgot to say I'd leave the picture rail alone, and would leave the window frames and ceiling white. I still vote for a peach or apricot color; believe it or not, it will work even with the red chair.

Oh darn my reaction was robbin egg blue but you don't want blue. Well then I guess my fall back position is grey.

first, i love the apartment! i'd say, paint the ceiling! from the chair rail up, a blue-green that plays off the one in the print by your table! I think it would really fill in the room without needing to change the art you like!

i'd paint one wall, probably the one behind the yellow table. depending on what you're going for, paint it a deep purple; or bright orange

I'd do the whole room in a peacock blue, and paint the picture rail a bright white.

Two options for you, both of which I used in my house and LOVE:

1) Smokey Taupe by Ben Moore. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/color-gallery?cd=983&col=CC#ce_s=smokey t
It's a great color, sometimes looks grey, sometime looks taupe, always looks fantastic. Would work well with the color of your sofa and all your pops of color, as colors really seem to pop next to it.

2) Gray Owl, also by Benjamin Moore. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/color-gallery?cd=OC-52&col=OW#ce_s=owl
This color is gorgeous and subtle. It makes pops of color look so vibrant and looks really good with yellow.

I think a lavender color on all the walls would look nice - leave the rail white. Our wedding colors were purple and the shade of green you have in your table and they worked so well together along with some brown accents!

I'm with the grey crowd! Two weekends ago we painted our living room Behr's Dolphin Fin grey - after I read great reviews of it and saw several images here on AT which I really liked. LOVE IT, highly recommend it - and I think it would look GREAT in your apartment.

I understand why many people suggest leaving the colour very pale and neutral, it looks very soothing as it is. A more intense colour on the walls would make the room more intense too and perhaps less soothing too. However it would also probably make it more exciting and energetic.

A strong grey would probably be in keeping with contemporary vibe you've go going on. Here's a link to a nursery which has similarly styled furniture and accents to your room with the walls painted a strong grey with yellow and white:
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/my-room/my-room-blaiseport-coquitlam-british-columbia-152868
I think it will show you how the cOlours could work in your room.
The other suggestions about purples and oranges I think would also help your furniture and artwork stand out more. Although they could have a little to much energy and excitement if you use your room a lot for just chillin' and breakfast (I'm not very excited in the morning(;).

With your white furniture, rug and window dressing you could still come in close to the 80/20 rule for colour.

I'd love to see some after pictures if you decide to paint. I hope you do. Your table is great and needs showing off!

Something in the turquoise family, but tinted as pale and close to white as possible. It will have the warmth to set off the lovely gray sofa, yet be cool enough to help the yellow and red continue to pop.

I would go for a warm gray on the walls only - it will make the yellows & reds pop. They sell small samples @ the paint store & when I was picking a grey I painted several different swatches on my wall to see which worked best "live". Get a cool area rug - maybe dhurrie with a large scale graphic in either your red or turquoise accent color & white - it will pull everything together.

i think it looks great the way it is! maybe you should play with the idea of coloring the trim but leaving the walls white. it could be another playful pop of color that adds dimension to your walls. :)

I would go with a clean green that would go with the green already in your apartment, and just paint the ceiling in the window nook and any wall space in the nook that colour. Leave the window sills and the rest of the apartment the colour it is, so that it makes the most of the beautiful light coming through. You could find a white curtain with a touch of the same green in a pattern, if you wanted to match it up a bit.

What about painting the molding black and leaving the walls the color they are? The result would be something fresh, crisp, classic, and clean. It would give you the updates you are after without locking you into any color schemes. I adore your style, and your seemingly care-free selection of colors that all work so well together. I would hate to see you worried about "does this go with that" or "Does that clash with our walls."
Rules are made to be broken, dont start following any now!

I'm with the "don't paint" camp. I have a large set of antique lockers in my living room, just about exactly the same color as your little table. It's a tough color to complement! But, I tossed in some vibrant pillows with that green in them, plus reds, yellows, and blues, so I add colors that go with those shades. (Blue couch, by the way - across the room from the grellow.)

I think you need MORE color to make the room pop - maybe buy some cool wallpaper and line the back of the big cabinet, and find some art whose colors bounce off the colors you already have. (THe large art is beautiful, but its colors are much more muted than your yellow/green/red.) Or even some blocks of funky wallpaper or fabric framed and hung, so there are big blocks of color over the brightly colored furniture.

Nice stuff!

I see your problem. It just looks hodge-podge mod/industrial, but doesn't tie together. I also see two options:

One is to paint the walls a very neutral gray as suggested above.

The other (and I would personally go with this one) is to really commit. Get a killer bright gloss shade - grab whatever appeals from the yellows, blues, and reds already there - and hit all those moldings with it. Do top and bottom as well as the doors.

Pops of color only work when they have a context as well as contrast to show them off. Simply adding more pops won't fix the lack of context, it'll only make it look even more random and disjointed. Doing the moldings will give the color continuity and context, but leaving the walls white will still show off the other pops. Your moldings will actually become the main color pop. That's your 'story', only told with color and lines. It's kind of like announcing, "In case you wondered, we are all about color pops here. Oh, and by the way, check out all these other cool pops we have in here."

Juicy violet.

Or deep periwinkle.

If it were up to me to decide what color to paint your living room, I'd open all blinds and pull back all drapes and consider all of the colors out your windows (noting these colors at the times of day you're most likely to spend time in that room -- of course, while it is light outside) --- so you see all these different colors: concrete grey, or asphalt black, or brick red, telephone poles, trees etc. and then i'd choose the most expansive or interesting color from that palette and I'd paint a wall or two, or three or four, THAT color --- make your living room walls expand and connect with what's outside your windows.

You have the perfect pieces in your living room to paint the walls a pale gray, but not too pale; a warm gray, not a blue gray. Benjamin Moore's paint colors have wonderful grays from which to choose. If the floors are a reddish brown, I would restain the floors to a blackish-brown, no red and no yellow tones.

All the walls should be the same color. Try using a high gloss paint of the same color on the picture rail or go one shade darker.

Do not leave the walls as is; the color is boring, boring, boring and the room looks unfinished.

I am actually more interested in where you got your table and chairs!!!! LOVE

I think a very, very light blush pink color (with some grey tones) would be unexpected and gorgeous. Like the color of a room illuminated with the light of a sunset after a storm.

I disagree with everyone saying not to paint. Paint is what ties a house together and makes it personal. I would totally take advantage of the picture rail and the molding and paint different colors. I love the idea of doing a bold color on the ceiling and something else above picture rail and I agree with others who say take a piece from the room and try and incorporate those colors.

Grey is boring, and every one is doing it. I would go with a deep slightly brownish plum. Think sherwin willams plum brown or benjamin moore's kasbah.

Lavender

I think you answered your own question: "we LOVE our Fermob table (bright greenish yellow!) and love our couch, which is a brownish/greyish/greenish color." Green would tie both pieces together and make your red chair pop. I would go with a shade pulled out of the picture over your table, but make sure it is a bold color, not a sage or sea, or you will end up with an off-kilter feel in the room. I would paint every wall. I would NOT paint the picture rail, as it adds some architectural interest to the wall. Don't be afraid of getting too bold, and remember that pulling a color from a piece of artwork that you love to paint the walls is like extending that painting to the whole room. Cheers! (Also, don't second-guess your first instincts, or you will end up painting your kitchen three times, like I did, only to find that your initial idea was the right one in the end.)

To paint or not to paint! Hmmm. Well, you have a great room with great pieces that you love. Accentuating them with paint is a great idea! I would start with BM Spring Dust on the ceiling of the window alcove above the couch. When the sun comes in and lights up that color, amazing and at night will just warm that space. Also paint the whole ceiling in the BM Spring Dust. The walls could take on BM Greenmount Silk and leave the trim as is. Painting the inside of the large cabinet BM Brown Sugar, including the shelves will tie in the couch and coffee table and make all your items in the cabinet stand out. Maybe you could do BM Brown Sugar on the wall directly opposite the couch. There's no picture, but I bet the wall could take it. I have a brown wall and it makes my living room rather cozy! Good luck!! :-)

I love the idea of a solid turquoise colour on the walls, with maybe a slight ivory white trim.

But I don't know how that would work with the rest of ur blue rooms...

room is 100+ yrs & furniture is 50- yrs, yet room has shaker style. two ideas: paint trim beige/grey/greige/mustard not too different from off-white walls, similar to what exists (this pic will show idea & rest of the post will show poor paint choices for similar 100+ yr space http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/chi-michelle-joshuas-secondhand-compromise-apt/item/275391) OR paint trim gloss version of off-white walls & paint ceiling a colour, but it is tricky b/c bright colours mentally lower ceiling & pastels do not work w/table, chair, etc. w/ one window & fog, keep it light. pippigirl has good point abt swapping pics.

i'm in agreement with those who have mentioned pale coral/pink/salmon. it'll contrast nicely with the yellow and grellow pieces, and the red is distinct enough it'll still work

*the red CHAIR is distinct enough from the wall colour that the combination will still work.

Like it as is. Or a smokey almost gray lavender...think it might make things pop. I also like the blue suggestions above as well.

I would go with a light blue/gray on all the walls, except for the wall with the window.

But I'd consider this above any suggestions we have for you: what is the mood you want to create in the room? Do you want it to be calm or energizing? That's something I consider when choosing color.

I vote for the Benjamin Moore china white but I would paint all your trim and ceilings, inc the wall above the picture rail in a crisp white. You need a bit of contrast between the trim and the walls because it all looks too bland. Painting the ceiling and above picture rail will freshen up and make the space feel larger.

If you paint (or not) think about patching the holes in the wall and using the picture rail as it was intended.

Once you experience the freedom of being able to hang artwork on the walls without nails you'll be glad you did. It's so easy to change things around and experiment with new layouts.

Here in SF you have tons of options for the style of hanger and cord or wire.

Hi everyone- Allison & Ian here!

Firstly, thanks for all of your wonderful comments. We're just returning from a vacation and are overwhelmed with the enormous amount of suggestions that we've received! We'll be reading through them all and commenting on them as we slowly piece together the ideas and formulate a plan for the room.

A few brief comments for those who have asked questions:

1. The pear print is by an artist named Heather Amuny-Dey - I love it!

2. The table is by a french company named Fermob, and the chairs are from Crate & Barrel.

3. We have our couch in the window because there's essentially no other place for it in the room; the radiator and built-in don't allow it to be on that wall, and when it's along the other wall it makes the room much too narrow. The other wall (opposite the windows) has two doors in it, leading to an old murphy bed closet (which we use) so we can't have the couch in front of the doors.

Also, just to clarify- we have no intention of painting the trim, picture rail, or built-in; those questions were added by apartment therapy. We actually are in a rental space so painting those items are out of the question for us!

We can't wait to show you what we decide to do!

I would go with a semi-gloss silver/light gray color. With all the color in the room, and the white trim and picture rail, it would look fantastic!

Life is too short not to live with color--esp when you have a lovely bright apartment. Grey, or khaki not too dark would be good with the furniture. I'd paint the picture rail the wall color, and make the cornice and other trim very bright shiny white. Why? Because the last image makes the room look narrow and the picture molding would reinforce that.