You have all the expensive structural work done already so yay! Looks as though your pool cover sits on the winder to the left hand side of the picture when your pool is in use. That would make blue quite a dominant colour in the scheme. It also looks like you lose access to that side of the pool deck when the pool is in use. I'm taking those two things into account when making my suggestions. Wall colour. The back and side walls are very glarey. They could recede somewhat and make the pool area seem larger if you painted them a darker colour. I would have suggested charcoal, but a deep grey blue would tone with the pool cover and water colour better. The two pieces of lattice could go bye byes. If you also painted the pool fence the same colour as the back fence it would really tie the area together, make the pool fence 'disappear', and make the yard seem larger. Plants in pots would be terrific but you would have to go easy in the pool area or you could cramp the kids' scamper and play space. Taller skinnier pots in the corners should maximise the scamper space on the three accessible sides. Plants with a larger leaf would work if you live somewhere tropical or semitropical, otherwise bangalow palms that are tall enough to sway in the breeze for that tropical vibe. You've got 3 types of seating in the pool area so I'd suggest trying to unify them. The yellow chairs are plastic and hardest to change. They are also very cool, so if you love them and love yellow then paint the bench and deck chairs in the same colour. Do you love yellow? If you wanted to make a feature of just the yellow chairs, you could paint/stain the timber furniture a couple of shades darker or lighter than the walls to tone in. I've suggested a bit of painting here I know, but each project could be done in a weekend: back & side fence; pool fence; bench & deckchairs. Bite size chunks. Now here's the pretty bit. For interest on the walls you could attach a few pieces of tropical wall art in a row. You get tropical without the maintenance! Definitely go an umbrella. Pick one with a wind vent in the top and a weighted base. If you can go the expense the cantilevered ones are fantastic as you can move the shade around where you need it. Pick the colour when you've decided your other colours. Aaaand finally....do my eyes deceive me or are they beer bottles tied to the pool fence? Not Judging Just Asking!

Great choice with the Travertine, my joey just renovated her pool area with it and it looks amazing. I agree with Jenny Torrisi that glass in the archways would make a huge difference. Synthetic turf would be one idea for the courtyard, but it does have to be properly laid. Otherwise if you could extend the Travertine to that area, it would also look amazing. It would contrast well with the plants you have there, and you could add a cantilevered umbrella and couple of large shiny blue pots would add some colour and extra greenery. My big concern though is with those palm trees - quite frankly I find them useless, they provide very little shade, no greenery at ground level and the fonds drop off them indiscriminately and can cause serious injury if someone is in the wrong place when they drop. Lower growing plants in that area would make a huge difference. There used to be a market for established palm trees, not sure if it still applies. As far as the brickwork goes, dark coloured bricks absorb heat, which would make your pool area very hot and the solid walls would do nothing to allow breezes to circulate. I am really anti painting or rendering bricks as that means ongoing maintenance, but would the budget run to cladding the fence at least in a light coloured timber, I think it would give it a more modern look and appear cooler. There is definitely no room for plants, even in pots, but if you are artistic or know anyone who is, you could also attach a waterproof sheeting to one wall and paint a tropical style mural on it. https://www.google.com.au/search?q=tropical+external+wall+murals&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjns-ih0IHQAhVGjZQKHdBHAnkQsAQIQw&biw=1366&bih=638

Great advice!

You could have a sunken built in area or even a fire bowl on a paved area, agree that you need to work with the area you are planning on putting the fire pit/ bowl , talking with a designer /landscaper will give you options and ideas that will bring your design to life and create a beautiful space