In my last house, after adding a living room (the area you see this side of the arch) and also updating bathroom etc I couldn't afford to reline the ancient walls in my little lounge (when I removed the purple wallpaper I found a mixmax of boards, gib, pinex, plywood and holes!) so I plastered walls all over with layers and layers of newspaper and wallpaper paste (papier mache), then after applying primer/undercoat I painted with 2 similar colours (rich reds in this case), and stippled the surface with a plastic bag. This made it look just very slightly textured like leather and successfully disguised the uneven surfaces. Gallons of gap filler filled the gaps between the old T&G ceiling boards and evened out the mismatched skirting and scotia. Again white paint on all the trims. Amazing what can be done when you have to make do! This was a great cosy little room! (Before photo is the 3rd one)

Totally paint it! Really I like the tasteful matte black or white chalk paint with natural wood lid as you inspiration. But also what a fun opportunity to inject some colour: navy, mint, teal, yellow, orange can all work depending on the decor. ;-) You have inspired me! I am thinking to paint our chipped, ugly, red glossy piano too now. And I think it will get more use as a result too. Show us what you do!

I like the darker charcoal and white , if repainting make sure it is a nice deep charcoal , NOT a dark grey -- as gwyn says , why be ordinary ? I'll offer 2 thoughts though -- the first would be a bit more white , such as the terrace railtop , and maybe a small 'sculpture panel' on the main wall ( it looks like there is one on the end wall ? ) . Easy to do . Option 2 and 2a is not quite so easy , and may not suit the neighbourhood , but 2 more authentic colour options -- Scandinavian Red is what I would call Barn Red -- with the white highlights that looks the part ! The other option on that thought track is Swedish Blue -- authentic , but not a favourite of mine , and again it may look out of place amongst the neighbours , and its too close to grey for my liking , but with crisp white highlights it can look okay . So I suppose 3 options from me haha -- slightly darker charcoal , with white highlights ; Scandinavian red with white highlights ; Swedish Blue with white highlights .

The bricks , and the roof , are 'livable' IMO , both are that certain era , but they are pleasant -- like everyone else , the mouse turd must go though . Ooops , maybe its mustard haha . I'd do the window frames and gutters in a charcoal like Monument , or a crisp white -- a bit mysterious , or a clean look , but either will 'sharpen' the lines if that makes sense -- its a bit wishy washy right now . Oh , and the fence that is visible in the pics , and any other similar ones -- again , a charcoal stain . It also references the flecks in the bricks . The garage doors I'd probably go a 'metallic' charcoal . The railings I wonder if they are up to code , but anyway , if they are staying , do them and all the under-eves in a crisp white . So your main colours are now red , charcoal , white , and the greyer roof tone ( but not in equal proportions , so it won't look 'striped' ) . Which still leaves the majority of the mustard -- just go Surfmist or similar off-white with a blue tinge -- keep it closer to a white IMO . That Toffee Fingers is nice in itself , but not only do I feel it doesn't gel , it also introduces another colour group , whereas to me white and surfmist are 1 group , charcoal and the roof another similar grouping , while the brick is the primary thing you see , but it all works together .