For 'pop' rooms I would use the darker variations on the paint sample card.

Federal jurisdiction is so broad and casts a large shade for these major banks to rest under, as opposed to state legislation which is a lot more specific and strict. 

I would get darker carpet, definitely not white or beige.

"I can't get into specifics" from a guy with a profile pic of himself wearing a suit and shades, flashing double thumbs up at the camera.

@Ray Loveless obviously this guy is a discount, shade-tree unlicensed painter so many of these suggestions aren’t realistic.

If you go the grey route, I would paint the main body of the house a warm grey, paint the “pop out” and shutters a few shades darker, have a crisp white color trim and an accent color for the door.  

You can have it dyed a darker color, which will make the spots be invisible. 

If I have white cabinets, and a darker brown countertop, should I use a light color backsplash or should I use something brown or would a mix be best?

You might get a very close shade of the same color and go over it once so that the paint looks new again.

There are lots of shades of gray.