I totally agree with you. GO NEUTRAL. Add colour thru access. I used Hog Bristle. Honestly, book a Colour Consultant thru Dulux or who ever, who will come out and give u the best advise. Dulux Consultant charge about $150, but this is refunded off the paint you purchase. So ur getting expert advise for nothing, if u purchase the paint. Money well spent. I did this and was so glad I did. She will explain where to use what paint, being 1/4, 1/2 or full strength of the chosen colour. I was going to upload photos for you of my rooms, but for some reason this page won't let me. If you would like me to send you photos thru email, I would gladly do so. ir u send ur email address. Good luck.

You can borrow wallpaper books from suppliers and compare some you like by holding the samples up to your walls. Be sure to test how well they complement each other at different times of the day under different light conditions. I know it's hard to know for absolute certain how a particular wallpaper pattern will look on a large scale, but it's a place to start. And the people at the decorator stores will be happy to advise you.

Very light grey on all walls would be nice or white. Lighter colours like white tend to make spaces bigger and in ur case this needs to be done. The artwork on the weight bearing wall (in kitchen) needs to go as this draws ur eye to the wall . The railings on the stairs need to be painted (either colour of the walls or white)as this will help blend into the background and make the space look bigger.

To be a voice of dissent, have you considered soft greens or green-grey? I've got Baltic Pine floors, pine cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and black tiles in a BRIGHT west-facing kitchen. I went with Taubmans Swiss Meadow double strength and it compliments all the different elements. If you don't want something "obviously" green, check out Taubmans Alpine Snow (double) - it seems to change colour in different light. It's a pale green in full daylight, but looks soft grey at night.