I design commercial interiors and ALWAYS specify satin for everything.
It is more forgiving than gloss and less tricky to finish neatly. Also, gloss looks quite harsh, particularly in your home where you would probably want a softer feeling from the decor.
Go for satinwood, you'll be pleaseed. And try a colour, a warm mushroom colour or something - but any drap tone works well, olive greens, grey blues, brown-reds. White skirtings are dull and cold. If you don't like it you can always paint it out!