I think in this situation it's more the view than the color. The view from the dark house is spectacular..

I'll have the same dilemma when I eventually move. The first thing that I will be doing is buying some large, neutral coloured rugs, probably jute or sisal (or similar), to help juxtapose the light timber floors with the dark timber furniture. I think having a "break" between the two timber styles/colours is a good idea. I'll personally be aiming for some kind of combined Japanese and Scandinavian interior design. Here are a few photos which I'm intended on referencing to create an aethestically pleasing space with my existing furniture (until I can afford to replace it over time): [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-living-room-perth-phvw-vp~12023403[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-living-room-perth-phvw-vp~12023403) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-living-room-perth-phvw-vp~12023627[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-living-room-perth-phvw-vp~12023627) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-family-room-perth-phvw-vp~12023359[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-family-room-perth-phvw-vp~12023359) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-entry-perth-phvw-vp~12023440[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-entry-perth-phvw-vp~12023440) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/wheelers-hill-project-contemporary-dining-room-melbourne-phvw-vp~15173340[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/wheelers-hill-project-contemporary-dining-room-melbourne-phvw-vp~15173340) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/wheelers-hill-project-contemporary-dining-room-melbourne-phvw-vp~15173334[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/wheelers-hill-project-contemporary-dining-room-melbourne-phvw-vp~15173334) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/vaucluse-residence-i-contemporary-living-room-sydney-phvw-vp~10839233[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/vaucluse-residence-i-contemporary-living-room-sydney-phvw-vp~10839233) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/the-boulevard-contemporary-dining-room-melbourne-phvw-vp~3024359[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/the-boulevard-contemporary-dining-room-melbourne-phvw-vp~3024359) Good luck. I'd like to see what you eventually do.

Hi betty do you have a picture of the space? Personally I think if you are trying to open up the space, light floors are the way to go

What natural light do you get in the room/what orientation? i.e. is it a 'cold' or 'warm' room? If it's a colder room, I'd go with a grey with orange/red undertones to warm it up a bit, or if it's a warm room you could get away with a cooler grey, maybe green undertones to compliment the maroon. Or you could even try a green rather than grey. The Aerobus is a blueish grey so will be cooler. As others have said you would probably want a lighter tone than this for the walls (unless you're purposely going for a dark dramatic mood). 'Miller Mood' is a couple of shades up in the Colour Atlas. Get sample pots and paint a section on each wall, or paint a white bit of card and stick to the wall to see how the light is at different times of day.