A large mirror above the hall console will add some light and is always a good idea in an entry so that guests can check/fix their appearance if the weather was bad on the way to your home. A light coloured entry floor rug would help lighten the area and also catch any small stuff on shoes that may scratch your beautiful timber floors. You could install an attractive glass pendant light on the far left as you enter or alternatively sconces either side of the mirror or a table lamp could be placed on the console table. Once the mirror is in place you can decide if you need a bright large piece of art for the opposite wall which will be reflected in the mirror.

How about whitewashing the bricks in this entrance alcove? If this idea appeals build on this aesthetic. When the shade cloth goes and you have repainted the pergola, how about a beautiful coloured flowering vine (pink, mauve, white)? The potted cordyline only serves to restrict your available light so pop it elsewhere in the garden. For a pop of colour how about picking up that lovely fuschia colour or a colour in that hue from the bromeliads that are in the forefront of your entrance photo. The two horizotnal lintels above the door and window would be candidates for this pop of colour. It doesn't have to be fuschia but I think it has to complement whitewashed bricks. Your outdoor ight fittings age your home and there are plenty of good designed ones out there that don't cost the earth. The door and window I'll have to think about but if I was you I would google the whitewashed bricks idea and build on from there. Your security door make your whole entrance look very unwelcoming and uninviting but I realise it is there for a reason. If you have a bit of money to play with I would look at getting rid of your present door, the half window and the small vertical one beside the door. Open it right up with a wall of glass, but this is a costlier option. Your paved foyer would fit in with white washed bricks also. Regarding your deck. Too much of the brown going on. It doesn't have to match your house. Tie the house to the outdoor environment and paint your railings in a shade of green and choose a pop colour for the top handrail. Repeat his colour in the lintel above the sliding door. I would leave the deck floor the brown colour. It is what it is and it's very serviceable.

Hi ks! Keep the wall opposite the front door. 1. it gives you privacy 2. it gives you wall space in the kitchen. Take out the right-angle wall coming out from the fireplace side. You'll then have more table/furniture arranging options. Take out the right-angle wall making a 'hallway'. This space then becomes part of the living area rather than a hallway. BUT frame in a door between bed 2 and the kitchen. This would 'close off' the bedroom wing when you want to. And I would love to see a window/windows somewhere along that fireplace wall if at all possible. Your whole living and kitchen area would get so much more light! Hope you guys have some carpentry skills : )

It's a little hard to judge without seeing more of the home and garden. However, a dark grey or charcoal would visually recede the home and allow the garden and additional plants to 'pop'. Instead of painting your home a light colour, which attracts attention, a darker colour will allow other aspects of the home to shine. Are the doors red cedar? I'd leave them natural but coat or stain them to bring out the wood features. Add a couple of large pots with trees, such as a Lilli Pilli or Plane Trees depending on space, so the foliage will frame the doors.