The Order of Things
Monday, March 7, 2011 at 6:14PM 
Christine
I have the exact rug you pictured (2nd of the two) and am trying to find a paint color for my family room to coordinate with the rug, camel-colored sofa and brown leather chair. I'm thinking of trying a sample of SW oyster bay. Any thoughts?
- Susan
Hi Susan,
In your question you only mentioned one pattern- the rug, and then two solid colors. If this is what you are working with, it is premature to be selecting paint. As I have said many times in the past- paint should be the last selection. When done in the correct order, after all other selections are made, the paint practically selects itself.
First of all- you need more pattern in the room.
Add some patterned window treatments.
Add some pattern in throw pillows.
If you were to select the paint first, it will make your fabric shopping more difficult. It takes time to find a good fabric that goes with your rug. It is really a piece of cake to find paint. Selecting the paint first will make your fabric and pillow quests infinitely more difficult. Now, when you put paint samples on your walls, you will really be able to tell if it goes well. Oyster Bay is a great neutral shade or bluish green. This post lists some other similar tones.
Fabric from Robert Allen and pillows from Pottery Barn.