Beadboard...in Colors?!?

You would think your faithful Stylehound would know the answer to this, but really, I’m stumped: what colors can you paint wooden beadboard? Is it a crime to use anything but bright white?  Here is one of the rooms in question, with new beadboard just installed on the walls.

We've done both the kitchen and bath with beadboard, and now we're faced with the challenge of having to stain or paint them; the raw wood looks so pretty, but bright white would be nice in the kitchen, and we don't want the bathroom to look like a sauna by staining the walls rather than painting them.

So, should the kitchen be done with a light stain, maintaining the wood look, and then the bath with a bright white? Or the kitchen in a bright white and the bath in a color? That's what we're leaning toward, but if that’s a good idea, then what color can possibly work with beadboard?

I am crying out to you, Dear Reader, for serious help. Time is of the essence, as the beadboard will warp unless it’s painted or stained. Please post any ideas, answers, suggestions, or directions to the Asylum for the Beadboard Insane below.