New Couch, New Paint Color

The new couch was delivered yesterday, and I am sooooooo happy with it.  The fabric seems very durable, and we also have a 5-year plan for stains, but still -- every time the kids go near it, I cringe.  This morning, Nathan had Trix for breakfast, and I caught him afterwards climbing onto the couch with a big mushy purple Trix on his butt.  Got it just in time.

Here's our family room as of yesterday morning:

I tried to get a photo when the Wiggles weren't on the TV, but let's face it -- when aren't the Wiggles on our TV?  My mom made those curtains for me about 6 years ago.  I love them, and the pattern goes great with the green wall, but I'm thinking I'm ready for a change.  I do have a little curtain DIY project in mind, but it's gutsy.  I'll keep you posted.

This is why we needed a new couch in the first place.  We've lived with this long enough:

Anybody else out there have cats that do this?  We have a scratching post for them and everything, but they still use the couch.  The good news is they haven't done this for a while, so we're hoping that they leave the new couch alone.  (Just let me dream, alright?)  Our new couch has a feature that I THINK will help out with this situation, too.

Here are the new additions to our family:

Not Charlotte and Gavin!  They've been here a while.  I mean the couch and the recliner.  See how the arms of the couch are behind the cushions?  I think that will help with the scratching situation, because that's what the cats usually scratched.  They also scratched the back, which is now up against the wall.  Plus, I think they somehow know that if they even think about touching this couch, they'll go back to the barn in which they were living before we adopted them.  Kidding!  Sort of...

So now comes the question of paint color.  Since our family room and kitchen are essentially one big room, whatever color I choose will have to continue into the kitchen.  I'm really leaning towards a gray color, but a lighter gray than the couch.

Here are some of the contenders.  I'd love your input!

AMAZING GRAY by Sherwin Williams
This looks like it can come off as a bit taupe, but that's what I like about it.  I think it looks great with the gold accents on the bookshelf, which is good to know, because I would LOVE a gold sunburst mirror above my fireplace.  See the tiny one on the shelf there?  I want that, only bigger.

from atlantahomesmag.com via A Perfect Gray

PALE SMOKE by Benjamin Moore
The photo below is from Katie Lee Joel's house, and the room was designed by Nate Berkus.  If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me, right?

SILVER SAGE by Restoration Hardware
I love this color.  It seems like it would be a different color every day, depending on the light. However, it also seems to look really great with white and black accents, neither of which I'll have in the room.

Can't remember where I found this photo.  If you know, let me know!

CLASSIC GRAY by Benjamin Moore

Maybe it's because I'm in love with the upholstered headboard and the bedside table, but this color is, well, classic gray.  By the way, Lindsay customized these bedside tables from basic IKEA ones.  See how here.  

Aubrey + Lindsay 

What do you think?  Are there any other colors, gray or otherwise, that I should be considering?