Foyer dilemma

Dear Hannah,

I have a foyer dilemma - what color do I paint it? Things to consider: How do I want people to feel when they walk in the door? Calm? Invited? Energized? Wowed? Or should it be a seamless transition to the rest of the house. I know I owe you pictures of the actual house - we still are in such flux, I'm embarrassed to post pics. For now, an internet inspiration board will have to do.

The room I'm struggling with is tiny. Right when you walk through the front door, you step into a space that is maybe five by five feet. It has natural light from a small window and two side lights. There is a white built-in bench that lifts for storage. It is a sweet space except for this:

Hideous. Nothing I would choose, but we're stuck with it for now. I thought I finally got away from hunter green tile when we left the old house (it was all over the kitchen and bathrooms), but it is following me, haunting me! How do I match it or should I just ignore it? Our refinished oak hardwood floors look so pretty - why dark green??? WHY???

Currently, it is painted a light mushroom gray over wood panelling (so no wallpaper). It's okay, but with the polka-dot patches, it must be repainted. Remember, we went with a neutral in the entire front of the house. Whetstone gray (by Martha Stewart) is in the hall leading off the entry, the kitchen, the dining room and the living room as well as the hall to the bedrooms. It is a lot of gray. I like it - it makes the space look continuous and sophisticated, but I'm craving color. It is such a departure from the old house and my rhythmic blue.

Here are some ideas:

House Beautiful reccomends these colors - I like these

Palladian Blue, Drab, Oyster Blue

Mother likes Folly Green

Inspiration Board:

This is my favorite (surprise, surprise)

I like these too

What do you think?

Love,

Ellen