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 .

I would paint the brick the same colour as your walls then follow the trim work you already have, I then place a sprint on the wall and place your wedding photo else where, I would also paint our door and window trim the same colour as the white trim to brighten the whole area. Also a nice plant but not a high one I think would also look nice,if your not into plants a then a empty bowl,

Is it for yourself or guests? If it is for yourself, I'd store the shoes nearby (i.e. in the laundry if that's near the front door) as that entry is stunning and I think any furniture would take away from its beautiful simplicity. If it's for guests, then I'd consider getting a small stool and basket / box for when guests come over. Something really simple, but convenient for them to remove their shoes and pop them in the basket / box until they leave.

first thought is to widen the step at the front door, add a wall attached to the extended roof and create a more sheltered porch entrance with a bench seat and place for shoes under the bench and/or in a wall hung cabinet, the first pictures shows what i think is already there this one shows my suggestion a good carpenter should be able to build something out of timber to match the existing in a few days, not especially cheap, but well worth making something to match your gorgeous new home...a quicker, cheaper option would be to have a decorative shoe cabinet on the floor on the right hand side of the front door looking out...the cabinet would be visible from outside through the window next to the front door