Well I'm going to avoid that first. I'm going to use grout pen to recolour white and 're Mastic or whatever that seal is called between tiles and benchtop. Do worst area. Then I'm going to paint flower pot yellow and focus on balcony. Will take photos soon of how awful it is

We recently went through the same process, including considering buying from USA and re-wiring or whatever would be required (I put that idea into too hard/risky basket and ended up back with a company we had used before lode international lighting). The closest I know of in your approx $100 range would be something like this http://www.homeoflights.com.au/MAS6WLED/MASON-2LT-6WATT-LED-VANITY/pd.php (also 3 light option but even more $$ over budget). More modern in style than you are probably after. Mercator Alysha 3 light may be another option in the $100-150 price range. In our ensuite, where steam concern were higher we used very well priced Philips Aquafit wall lights from Bunnings. I believe they are avail in 1, 2 or 3 lights. Again a bit more modern in style.

There are a few downlights called or referred to as periscope D/L they can be positioned in a wall and will come out far enough to do the job but not restrict any light from the ceiling, I would never suggest only downlights for your task lighting, but they would do an adequate job, if thats the best you can do.

I personally don't think theres any great secret to lighting design . With a realtively standard but low ceiling , downlights are the go-to , but in the kitchen , for example , you can have some fun and add interest . Go to a lighting supplier and spend half an hour , but 2 things to remember -- anything over 10cm height is going to look low ; anything cylindrical is going to force light into a narrowish beam ; and spotlights are pretty directional . in a kitchen , a 4 or 6 position spotlight should ( IMO ) match the rest of your colour theme -- go chrome if you are using silver ; copper to match copper ; black or white to suit ; maybe gold . But I have always done 2 or even 3 seperate 'themes' -- so maybe a copper track with 4 or 6 small copper spots pointing to various 'corners' and appliances ; as well as say 8 lowish powered LED downlights in copper holders ; and maybe 3 or 4 hanging lights in a colour over the breakfast bar . And at least 3 switches -- don't just have all on or all off . The rest of your place is harder though -- we don't use those chinamens hats any more ( and probably can't call them that haha ) , anything round or stylish or artistic will get whacked by anyone over 1.9 metres . maybe , just maybe , you can do a plaster dome and chandalier in the lounge , but that probably won't suit your style . Clean and simple , have fun in the kitchen , maybe uplights on the lounge room as well as downlights or a chandalier , but I'd say you'd struggle to add any lighting with flair and character due to the roof height , except the kitchen and maybe try to carry through to the dining .