I would be inclined to go with an unobtrusive light since it's the living room and anything too dramatic or a hanging pendant may interfere with your peripheral vision (or otherwise be an annoyance) when you're watching TV, etc. Also, being so near the sliding door, the wind may cause a hanging pendant to swing quite a bit which will cause the lighting to be constantly shifting and changing which I would personally find annoying. I'd go with something simple and subtle, but look at getting a tall standing lamp for the corner near the sofa (or possibly at the other end of the floating TV cabinet). In terms of warming up the apartment, I think you need something on the bare walls. A smaller picture above the floating TV cabinet will help to take the focus off your TV. A larger art work behind the sofa will also help to add some colour and personality, especially if it picks up some hues from your sofa. If you don't like the little Buddha statue, I would look at adding one or two other items that you do like (perhaps picking up colours from the wall art) and making a little vignette. A couple of colourful cushions and a storage solution for the wires, games console, etc on the floor would also help to bring everything together. Something as simple as a woven basket under the floating TV cabinet might help to keep the games console, etc in place unless it is in use.

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.

In the past we have gone to large rural art shows where emerging painters sell their works. Bright in Victoria usually have over 1000 original paintings in all styles in their Autum Festival. You can get amazing works which the quickly increase in value if you choose well.

I was looking at today's local real estate listings and coincidentally one shows a kitchen with something on the wall above the cooktop and below the window. I've never seen something like that before. Is there such a thing as a through the wall kitchen exhaust fan. Btw from what I've heard other exhaust fans aren't really supposed to be used in kitchens because they are designed only for steam and there's no way to clean any greasy build-up.