Decorating and Design - White walls for ancient house

We are restoring a 150 year old stone house in a forested mountainous region with exposed beams, rich red-brown doors, oak staircase and window frames. There is black Portugese slate for flooring in the long living room divided by a support arch plastered over evenly. The design has been about minimalism to allow for any possibility later. In the kitchen is solid vitrified blanched oak flooring and mirror-black enamal cupboard doors that reflect the floors with the help of built hallogen lighting in ceilings. We will be painting all walls uniformaly white, up and down. Off white was suggested but the the brilliance of new plastering really has impact. Which off-white might be intersting here, since there are warm and cool tones? Also, shouln't all ceilings be white-white, although a tonal difference would occur if walls were off-white? This kind a subtle color conflict has been endemic with the various woods to match and we want a unity throughout regarding walls. Upstairs are high 3-beam ceilings with Velux above.

Straight white is often too bright. There are many off-white tones which up against many colors appear to be pure white. Ceilings can be painted many colors other than the traditional white. If using a off white it may be preferable to use tha same paint on the ceiling [not to mention easier] Paint will often pick up on the surronding colors making it to appear a slightly different color.
I know this doesn't directly answer your question but I hope it helps. :)

if you really want just white, take a look at "dove white". it's more like the whiteness of milk ("white" by all accounts, but definitely warmer than "ceiling white"). however, take other whites that are in the house into consideration, such as appliances, tubs, sinks, etc., so they all work together. if you go with a basically white walls, and you really want white ceilings, too, i'd use the same white on the ceilings, as opposed to "ceiling white".

that said, are you SURE you want all that white? white does nothing to bring out the beauty of wood tones. a very soft, subtle creamy gold tone would do wonders with all that wood......

I agree with Annette. And I was thinking that a soft, buttery yellow (like the color you'd see on pale-yellow Roses) would be lovely with the flooring & woodwork you've described. Sounds like a gorgeous home!