I painted mine a cream color just for that reason. My den is a sage green and it does seem to color how you see things. And I, too, hate the new light bulbs. I have some of the old ones stashed just for my sewing room. My husband put some of the new ones in downstairs and they are too bright and harsh.
I'm a bit confused though. How can you be too short for a design wall? Mine goes all the way to the floor.