I see this is a very old thread , with lots of comments . I've just skim read them , but I haven't seen anyone suggest anything like my 'top-of-my-head' idea -- I love the wood , and the white contrast , but pretty boring . Whats your favourite colour , or what ties in with the other rooms ? It might be blue or red or yellow or orange or green , as examples . So paint the skirting board and around the door a pastel shade of your choice , and add a small 30cm x 30cm abstract painting featuring that colour as the primary dominant one , above ( or possibly below , or maybe even get 2 matching/complementary ones ) the control panel . One lighting crowd suggested glass shades -- I'd actually go for someothing large but wooden , in much the same shade as your floors and steps , with LED bulbs -- you can get some stunning ones around 80-100 cm in diameter ( sort of a star ball shape ) for $300-400 . Total budget then $500 plus a painter and maybe electrician , unless you DIY .

That looks like a load-bearing wall. Architecturally, how did they make sure the wall could continue to support the weight above while carving out sections of the middle of it?

When you render the bricks I would consider leaving some of them exposed here and there - that reminds me of old Tuscan buildings! I would include some large terracotta pots with olive trees or lemon trees, also as others have suggested some brightly coloured geraniums in hanging baskets against the wall or in terra cotta pots. Here are a couple of shots of my back deck (which isn't looking its absolute best) but to give you an idea of the large pots and colour. You have a beautiful spot to work with good luck! Sue

I'm quite happy for my home to have 'wow' factor if it's me thinking 'wow, I love that!'. If 'wow factor' is wanting others to be 'wowed' when they walk through your door then you're probably getting caught up in the wrong factor. What we go 'wow' about in our own homes is likely to vary from person to person - for me, its about the beautiful natural light in my home, for someone else it might be the pebble shower recess they laid by hand, or their garden in spring. There are probably also home features which tend to generate approval across the board, things like soaring ceilings or bespoke features, a beautiful fireplace or amazing view come to mind here.