I'm in love with steely grey/pewter, and I think it would look gorgeous with the white cabinets and the backsplash.

So you're just planning to paint the walls? What about something rich and warm, like paprika?

I think it is great the way it is, but you say you like more dramatic colors in the blue/ green range, so go with that, get some samples of paint and try them out.

My first impression considering that you want color was something in turquoise/green-blue. I think it would complement all your counters/cabinets.

But I know that some people believe that the color red helps to stimulate the appetite and make for a festive food atmosphere - but I just think a red would be too aggressive for the feel of the room.

No yellow, no greens. The griege is nice - but too expected and tame. But if you're going for serene, leaving as is would work.

I'm with medusa, I dont think the walls need to be painted. And if you insist that they should be painted, then you might want to consider figuring out your major furnishings first (couch etc) and work around that.

With such neutral cabinets/appliances/floors you can go pretty much whatever route that you want. I don't think blues and greens are a problem in dining areas-- they create a relaxing atmosphere, perfect for a low-key dinner party or doing the crossword at breakfast on Sunday morning. A slate blue would look particularly good, I think.

I think the fixtures and details are so universally appealing and neutral that you should just select a color that you absolutely love. personally, I think those cabinets, counters and backsplash would look beautiful with a peacock blue. If you think it will be too overwhelming in the dining area, I would get a great, oversized light piece of artwork for the back wall.

Olive green. Looks great against white cabinets and I think it would also complement the natural tones of the granite and wood floor.

What are you planning on doing as far as color in the rest of the house, seems like you would want some contentnuity?

This is when black would look hot. http://www.thekitchenvote.com/?paged=4

You have such a great canvas to work with. I think blue turquoise on the lighter side or grey blues would be beautiful. I don't see yellow, orange or warmer colors because you have the tile and stainless which would lean towards cooler shades.

How about a beautiful grey-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44713708@N00/3279542454/

Look how pretty this blue is with white and dark floors-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44713708@N00/3843266728/

Cobalt blue, not too dark.

thats a beautiful kitchen!!!

i think either a pale gray/blue or a light green would look pretty!

i always tend to like cooler colors with white cabinets... warm saturated colors always look jarring to me against white cabinetry (just my opinion)

If you really like bold colour, you could consider something like Benjamin Moore's Soft Pumpkin (2166-40) The orange shade would show off the blue tones in the backsplash and countertops and harmonize well with the floor. If you use this shade on the walls in your kitchen and dining space, make sure you introduce it elsewhere in the spaces nearby, especially if the walls are neutral. Add some "orange" throughout the other areas of your home by way of cushions, flowers, glassware, artwork etc.

...or you could go with something "cooler", such as Benjamin Moore's Gossamer Blue (2123-40) on the walls, and introduce the orange accessories in the kitchen and dining area to warm things up. An oversized piece of artwork on the wall that faces towards the kitchen, that has shades of orange within the design, would work well in your dining room against the pale blue walls.

In either case, since it doesn't look like you have a chandelier or a rough-in for one, add some sparkle with an oversized mirror, reflecting the light from your outside windows.

Either way, you have a wonderful space to work with!

I'm usually all for big bold splashes of color but for this room I think you should keep it toned down. I would definitely do a slate blue.

Salmon (mixed with white) not too dark.

I'd think about a mustard yellow/gold color. It would be a nice contrast, and still neutral.

I agree with cuminafterall. You could do any background color with those white cabinets. Decide on what mood you want to convey and go for it. Warmer tones and darker tones will feel more homey and intimate. Blues and greens will feel crisp and clean.

Hodley Red by Benjamin Moore
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/portals/bmps.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=fh_color_hiddenPage&np=public_site%2Fapplications%2Fcolor_collections%2FCFYH2009#/view_interiors/synergy_livingrm/HC-65/

I love bright colors but I think your kitchen is a bit large for something like that and also I agree that it might be too jarring with the white cabinets. If it doesn't get a lot of light then I think a good pale-medium yellow would be nice with the gray, or even a pale brown like a milky hot chocolate. You can always jack up the brightness with pictures, accessories, flowers, etc.

Wow, what a nice problem to have.

Yes a pale grey/blue would look good. I think as a society we have moved past the mandatory red dining room.

this color is perfect....it perfectly complements the cabinets, backsplash, countertops, and flooring. I really wouldn't repaint at all.....just bring in accents of color with your linens, furniture, artwork, etc.

I'm not sure if a bold color would work with the colors of the floor and cabinetry, it looks like you have good lighting so it couldn't hurt to give it a try.

As an alternative to bold... maybe a blue/turquoise as suggested above or a pale lavender. I love lavender kitchens: http://mirrormirror.typepad.com/mirror_mirror/WindowsLiveWriter/KitchenAquaandLavender_11C31/0307_Sunset_kitchen_l4.jpg

I agree that a light gray or light blue would look great. I have Ben Moore Woodlawn Blue in my living room and it looks great with our white moldings and dark floors.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/morses/3673498463/in/set-72157620750584230/

Quiet Moments or Palladian Blue would be pretty as well. Since you'll be in this space a lot I would use subtle color on the wall and bolder colors in the accessories.

Coventry gray is a really pretty gray and would look nice with the stainless appliances and charcoal counter top. All colors are Benjamin Moore.

I think the current color is a lovely background that harmonizes well with the floor, cabinets and countertop. I would bring in bright dramatic color with the furniture and accessories. That would make it much more lively.

i think a grey would be great. pull a lighter shade out of the beautiful backsplash.

bright light blue for airy, breathable quality. Or dark grey with a semi-sheen for drama. The dark grey will only work if you have some light or bold furnishings to stand up to it. Otherwise, everything will melt together except the cabinets, which will be left floating awkwardly.

Warm it up. Prime, then use two coats of Benjamin Moore's Rapture. It'll be cozy, but passionate and inspiring.

http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Benjamin-Moore-CC-66-Rapture-p/mpc0077560.htm

I agree with others who have suggested grey. A really crisp, bright grey.

I'm thinking pink. Really. A rich, grown-up but fun salmon.

i agree with a rich slate blue/gray color on the walls. i think that would look best with the counters/backsplash and flooring. then i'd keep the dining set neutral and maybe use the wall color you have now on some comfy chairs. you could add a pop of color such as paprika with accessories.

Gray wouldn't work because the counter and the back-splash is gray. The back-splash is beautiful! Get a bunch of paint chips from the store and tape them next to the back-splash.

Personally I'd like
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Match-of-Sherwin-Williams-SW2390-Greek-Isle-p/mpc0031019.htm

http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Match-of-Samson-Myosotis-Blue-p/mpc0028659.htm

http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Match-of-Sico-4172-73-Holly-Leaf-p/mpc0028467.htm

http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Match-of-Solver-2457-Atlantic-p/mpc0029458.htm

these wont look the same in chip form usually because of the computer but it gives an idea of color i think :)

I think the cabinets look great as they are. I'd paint the walls a nice steel gray-blue and keep the ceiling white.

i'm thinking very dark grey ("hmm, is this black?" kind of grey) . you should then keep the lists (over, under and around door) and ceiling white.

Dark grey ("Hmm, is it black?" kind of grey)
Lists (up, down, around door) and ceiling white.

I have used Palladian Blue in my dining room/kitchen - it is beautiful - a Benjamin Moore color. It would look great in yours.

A bright apple green or periwinkle blue would really make the white cabinets and trim pop!

What about a eggplant color or chartreuse green/yellow. the play off the grey counters and backsplash around the stove would be amazing!!
Pale Avocado from Benjamin Moore
http://www.benjaminmoore.com:80/bmpsweb/portals/bmps.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=fh_explorecolor&np=colors/2146-40

If you like blue, go blue - your first instinct is often the right one. Personally, I've never found my blue to do anything BUT flatter my dining room.

I think this is a really handsome kitchen. I agree with those saying pale gray, or maybe another light neutral if you don't like the color you have. The problem with a dark or bold color is that it will completely dominate the dining area and just make the kitchen look busy by highlighting the tops and sides of the cabinet and making all the cabinets pop forward. I'd say go relatively neutral on the walls and bring in bold colors through artwork, window treatments and/or gorgeous fruit bowl-dishes-glassware. You can always change it over time.....

a nice grey/gray or something dark to place a significance on the crown molding.

I think it looks fine as is but, if you want colour, I am voting soft gray blue or sage green if you repaint. But, some large artwork with a pop of orange or red or yellow might do instead and save you money and hassle. I am seeing clean lined white dining furniture and a large print on the wall - maybe a vintage poster. Love the dark wood floors.

wow, i love it the way it is now!

I also vote for a sophisticated gray jumping off from one of the shades in the really beautiful slate tiling, but paler. I think grays in a kitchen can be really beautiful, especially with stainless steel elements. You have such a lovely, natural palette already that something serene and subtle like a dove gray seems like a good bet. If you want something more dramatic, I'd go with a very dark blue, maybe, but since you said the light isn't great in there I'd lean toward the pale gray. You can punch up color elsewhere. Why fight what's already going on in such a beautiful room?

Again, I vote for a blue/gray because it would really expand the room for "fake light" and it would be really fabulous with your chocolate floors, gray backsplash and white cabinets. A deeply saturated color would be a little too garish with the white cabinets. You can always bring in more colors with your pillows/throws/decor, etc.. with the ability to change it up, so you can have a cool/sophisticated pallete in two seasons and then warm it up with oranges and red during fall and winter. And as above, also think this would be nice and is still a neutral enough:
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Match-of-Sherwin-Williams-SW2390-Greek-Isle-p/mpc0031019.htm

I love nthompso1's suggestion of BM Palladian Blue - it would be lovely in this already smashing kitchen. Leafy plants and mercury glass accessories - oo la-la!

I think the actual colour is perfect but if you want a blue, try Ralph Lauren Basalt blue, a very very pale blue. Or Benjamin Moore Stonington Grey, a bluish grey.

Ick, on the cobalt blue. I just took your images down and colorized them in Photoshop. Not sure how I would get them to you, but I'd be happy to share. A grassy green actually looks really good, a darker steely blue looks good, and a darker terra cotta kind of color looks good too. Turquoise is kind of crazy on that great expanse of wall in the dining room, but if you have a large piece of complimentary artwork, and pieces of furniture up against the wall, like a sideboard, it could look okay. A dark teal, what I often think of as peacock blue would be my personal choice. It's an amazing looking kitchen as is.

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone. I like the idea of soft grey-blue.

Danica123 - I'd love to connect and see your photoshop images. I'm at rachel[at]sfgff[dot]org

Thanks all,
Rachel