What paint colour to go with this, ummm, unusual, carpet?

[WellTidy]

DH and I are working from home, and therefore spending a lot of time in our previously not very used study. We moved in about 10 years ago and haven't touched it, and now that I'm spending more time in here the decor of the room is getting to me a bit!

It is north facing, single sash window. It isn't a bright room. The carpet has to stay, for now, and I don't know what paint colours could possibly go with it. It is a rust colour, but quite pale, as rust goes. The walls are a light apricot shade. There is a cast iron fireplace, which we will paint white. We have a very comfortable tan sofa in here which we will also keep as it is nice to have another option to sit on. Other than that, there is a white ikea desk, and absolutely loads of white billy bookcases.

All ideas welcome! (PS no wallpaper as neither DH nor I are up to hanging it!)

Could do with a pic of the carpet but I'd go with a pale creamy/beige colour

I would go with the colour of your couch, except a shade or two darker or lighter.

Milky coffee-colour?

Picture?

A soft light sage green. Avoid getting one with too much blue in it

Trying to attach a photo.

Sofa is here - we will paint the fireplace behind it white.

I think it sounds great as it is.
Only thing I'd change is the white desk and bookcases.
don't paint the fireplace

Gosh don’t paint the fireplace. That looks original!

Paint the room white or cream. The carpet is bad op, no way round it, and nothing is going to make it look better, just brighten up the room and leave the fireplace be.

Don’t touch the fireplace. Have a look at the Farrow and Ball website. They are especially good at putting colours together. Find a shade that is like the carpet, possibly Red Earth, and look for the colours they put with it

I might go for something with leaf green undertones. If you aren't charging the carpet then I would get a rug. Wayfair do nice well priced ones.

Agree, don't paint fireplace. Paint walls white, put down a neutral rug. Am sure the white furniture looks fine as presumably it has things on it?

Soft off white.

For instance

www.paintandpaperlibrary.com/paint/reseda

But that is if you want colour. Otherwise a cream is always a safe bet.

Don't paint the fireplace!

Don't paint the fire!!

A green colour would work with the carpet.

That carpet could be called coral - warm shades are coming back in now so there should be inspo around.

I would go for a big rug with coral, dusky blue and green in it.
And dont paint the fireplace, I think you will regret it

I wouldn’t paint the fireplace either. A nice sage green will look nice I think.

I’d go for a grey or white if you don’t like grey!

The fireplace is lovely I'd move sofa and show it off

Green or white and a huge rug??

I’d go with a very pale duck egg or green otherwise just cream would work. I second the suggestion of a rug!

Please don't paint the fireplace!

I actually don't hate the carpet colour, though it's not one I'd choose myself. It's a nice warm colour at least, and it sounds like a really cosy room with the sofa as well.

I'd go with a red-based neutral. Maybe F&B DImity, or Joa's White?
www.farrow-ball.com/neutral-groups/red-based-neutrals

Oh I would go dark walls ( a la Abigail Aherne) but I’m guessing you won’t. But whatever you do don’t paint the fireplace white.

There is nowhere else for the sofa to go, really. The room isn't big enough in all honesty to have it in there, but we like being able to sit on it instead of always sitting at the desk.

I really don't like the black of the fireplace. It is original. We have original fireplaces in every bedroom, and I think they look so much less obtrusive when they're painted white. I haven't ever painted one myself, but the one in our bedroom was painted white by previous owners and it looks fine. Am I going to regret it?!

No room for a rug unfortunately.

The farrow and ball website is indeed great for inspo. I quite like skimming stone with what we have. Will order a tester pot.