I'm looking for color ideas. The house itself is a red cedar chalet in a natural setting - lots of trees. The ceilings are red cedar, too; downstairs the ceilings were finished in a clear varnish, and are quite light-colored. But upstairs - where the home office is - I had given the ceiling 2 coats of spar varnish, so they're dark and dramatic. The walls are beige. The window treatment are minimal - maximum view, minimum fabric/blinds, so are easy to change.

I want to add some color this time. The desk is walnut, and there are full bookshelves on the gable end, cedar-stained plywood with cedar trim to cover the 'plywood' edges. Big windows with northern exposure. Window frames are bright white gloss.

What colors would look nice with cedar ceilings?

I don't know about you, but I'm a huge fan of green. Moss, sage, light green, lichen, whatever you want to call it, I love it. It's soothing, fresh, and will contrast nicely with the dark wood trim in your office.

Any shade of peach or mauve will look good with your cedar. Also red, orange, electric blue, hunter green, lots of them. Click here for a useful color wheel. Pick the color nearest that of your cedar and take colors to the side or directly across, for contrast.

Catty (who used to live by this thing)

With your wood combinations, and trying to keep the office a nice soothing color, I would go with a pale green like a light sage, with mauve accents for curtains & such.

Lots of plants will also add to the hominess of the room, as well as helping to circulate clean air.

Good Luck!

how about a nice light blue, in the periwinkle direction?

Before I read any responses, my first idea was sage green -- sounds like the most popular suggestion thus far. There is also a very nice "warm vanilla" type of color that is a cross between creamy white and a very light shade of yellow.

I've been seeing the light green colors and very pale yellow tones in a lot of the new designer homes that have been developed in my area.

I repainted my house interior in a very pale yellow with a hint of green.. Real pleasing soft, light color and any other color goes well with it...