Hi there! If you wanted to keep the organic look of natural timber, and limit your on-going maintenance and costs, porcelain timber-look tiles would be a practical option. The designs available now are amazing, and there are huge benefits when using a technical porcelain product over natural material, ongoing costs being just one. I won't clog up your question with more details, though I am happy to help further, just ask! Check out this link : https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/par-ker-timber-tiles-dsvw-vd~1163160 Hopefully it's both helpful and interesting. Best of luck!

The area looks as though it will be a real hot-box. And the dull, dark colour will absorb the heat. I would suggest that you consider a much lighter and glossy paint for the surrounding walls and then the large pot in the centre. Many succulents burn as badly as any other plant when exposed to high heat, especially when in a pot. Also for consideration after changing the wall colour is a small tree like one of the smaller crepe myrtles. Once you have a canopy you can then underplant with small ground covering succulents or liriopes. I would steer clear of the white stones - they are a fad and will die out. EVERYone is using them and they are really boring. We need more trees in our gardens and there is definitely a place for a small tree in every garden. Trees provide depth. Unfortunately most people can't realise this.

This area is well shaded already and a dark colour on the walls and floor would suck the light out further. The rendering effect looks rustic rather than a crisp finish (unless there is another coat to go on yet) so not painting makes it look unfinished. I fess up I think grey is over used, there are plenty of other neutral colours out there so suggest Dulux limed white (note the actual chip is a warmer light taupe the website shows it as grey, duh!) for the walls. This will still be a nice contrast against the window frames and compliment the darker slate tile you want for the patio. You appear to have plenty of greenery and you could add a pop of contrast colour with a large pot (red, purple?). All the best with your project.

The sun, heat and aspect plays a big part. I grew up with huge dark grey pavers which you couldn't walk on in summer. You don't want the space under the pergola to heat up as there is no where for the heat to go. I just finished landscaping with 400X400 silver grey 30ml thick pavers in travertine. You can get the thinner tile version. Each one is different and adds interest to the space. They are not hot. Something to think about. Good luck