1. Paint over bricks, either in a light grey (white-wash) colour or a mid grey/blue-grey... https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/resort-inspiration-tropical-exterior-perth-phvw-vp~4028776 or https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/bilgola-house-contemporary-exterior-sydney-phvw-vp~12387394 2. Paint the cladding/paneling on the side in a colour opposite to the one chosen in 1. above... https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/decarle-st-oak-park-contemporary-exterior-melbourne-phvw-vp~6535555 or https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/marbel-st-contemporary-patio-melbourne-phvw-vp~1520623 3. Reseal the roof tiles in a darker grey-blue or bluestone/slate colour, similar to this, but match the garage door colour to the roof colour (i.e. not that timber look) https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/ethel-st-oak-park-contemporary-exterior-melbourne-phvw-vp~6535879

Could you swap the fridge with the wall oven, going by your photo both fridge and Wall Oven would fit side by side. I would definately have the fridge on the cook top wall and not on the other side of the kitchen. I see by the photo that the timber beam could be in the way, I would speak to your plumber who should have a simple solution on ducting the range hood. A simple one built into a special cabinet above the cooktop can recirculate or be ducted outside by either exposed stainless tube for your industrial/country look or have the ducting boxed in, the ducting can be flexable so no problem avoiding beams.

The free-standing wood-burning stove is an option for repurposing the existing fireplace. Just be sure to have chimney swept prior to any flue installation. An installer will likely request this. It is for fire safety and it makes their job easier. Other option would be to have gas plumbed to the location and a gas insert fireplace. It really is a matter of preference. Obviously, burning wood is a bit messier and does, over time, leave a smoke residue on walls which just means more maintenance involved. As you mentioned a preference for lighter timber flooring, you could take a look at the various oaks available.

I love your view! There's options here, and they'll be led by where your blinds are installed in my opinion. It looks like you might need to install the blinds to the face of the architraves, in which case, I'd be selecting pale blinds to sit outside the window as they'll, hopefully be up out of the way most of the time. If they fit inside the recess, then I'd select dark.