Sorry Cassandra, been working! What about the colour Ridge in the New Sunrise range. It's not as stark as Valley, has a lighter appearance, still in the darker colour range, but with adding wood and copper etc, I think it'd look great and tie in nicely. Best bet is to get your local carpet shop to lend you a sample (if they do that) for a few days and put it under the drapes. You'll be able to see how it looks at night as well as daytime. While you're at it, get a sample of colour Paua in either the Detroit (28oz), Columbia (36oz), Golden Bay/ Alabama (55oz), or Wattle Bay (70oz). The weight is indicative of price, also depth/height, or plushness if you like, of the different names I've listed. FYI, New Sunrise is a 44oz, to give a comparison. I've seen Wattle Bay Paua installed with beige-y curtains, and looks amazing. If you have a darker colour at the bottom (floor) and lighter colours on walls, ceilings, it gives the place a "grounded" look.

I like the idea of hardwood flooring and as previously said you can add nice rugs for comfort and texture, they can be changed out at any time for a different look or fashion, I found light carpet shows all spills and marks and as also previously said here dark colours show lint, animal fur and anything lighter like fluff ...I do think hardwood floors in the long run keep you from having to re-do carpet especially as you have no idea how the renters will treat your investment. I also find myself having hardwood flooring with rugs it is all so easy to keep clean.

More Carpet pics. Only my only 2 favorite options are shown in the photos. As you can see different spaces = different shades visible. I should add that our staircase and upper floor will be carpeted. Ground floor is mostly tile - only a kids/multi-purpose room and bedroom will be carpeted. These rooms sit next to tiled spaces.

I like the grey against the reddish floorboards. With pets and teenagers, I wonder if darker would be better? I installed pale carpet pre-parenthood... worse mistake... will be going a darker shade next time!