I think from what you say that you will have an a light grey wall color from the high railing down, darker grey above the rail, and white on the ceiling? You would paint the fireplace surround the light grey color (Cornforth white) but paint the remainder of that wall darker grey (so below the rail as well), with white built-in cupboards on each side...is this correct? If so, it seems there would be a "stripe" of the darker grey around the room on the upper wall, not sure how this would look (a photoshop mock up would help, but I don't have that skill). I like the Cornworth color and think it looks great with white. I would use only the two colors - white for the trim/rail, the fireplace surround, and the ceiling, and light grey for the rest of the walls.

Just to repeat what a couple of others have said. The cabinet is in great condition and a good colour. perhaps change the knobs for a very simple small aged brass or even a dark bronze button type. Change the lamp as it is too big for the unit, the shade is pressing against the wall, (it could work well on a side table by a sofa perhaps). Exchange it for a lamp with some brass incorporated into it (very popular and in most decor stores now) and it could look lovely. the difference between painting or leaving the unit, depends on the final look you are going for. If you want a more classic feel. Don't Paint, go with the above suggestion. If you want more quirky as some of your accessories suggest, Then Paint and adorn with crazy abandon! Happy days!

Hi, It depends what you want to achieve. Do you want to make a feature of it.. Go Olive. Or do you want to blend it in and minimise its impact so as not draw attention to it? Regards, Gina

I have used lots of paints and had a chat with the people at the Brewers near us recently as I'm helping a relative choose colours for a Georgian house overhaul. My own opinion on Paint and Paper library was already that the quality was amazing but the guy at Brewers confirmed it. He also confirmed that (sorry) but F&B is generally awful, watery thin and poor quality. Paint and Paper is easliy at the top of the pile when it comes to quality, Little Greene a possible second. I was tyring to find a really good neutral for my Auntie's House and Stone came out tops, not too yellow, not too green, a perfect neutral. The Stone 1 or 2 was good for woodwork the Stone 3 perfect for walls. I can't comment on the suitablitity for how practical it is, it possibly comes in a wipeable version.