May I suggest a cap of your pavers on the wall and the a slightly darker gray that relates to the privacy fence beyond? That way horizontal surfaces and vertical surfaces show similarities and blends/blurs the separations?

Hi anne, that's what I was originally thinking, my issue is what colour I use for the 'pop' :) I keep coming back to a teal/turquoise colour (it's one of my favourite colours!!), I love blues, purples, teal/turquoise - many on here have suggested yellow but I'm really not sure about it. Here in New Zealand we're in Autumn, nearing Winter so uncertain about the yellow. I found these cushions that I've fallen in love it, and wondering how I could make these work.. do I try teal and mustard together, as an interior designer suggested?

The blue is awesome (grey is too trendy)! The reason it stands out to you is perhaps because it's the only real colour there. Bring in the blue in a window treatment, a small appliance that sits on the counter, a pretty tray or area rug. Also, it is more appealing often if there are more than 2 colours - so right now you have a white and blue colour scheme - bring in red or orange or fushia - something from the other side of the spectrum (like you did with the yellow flowers but in a more permanent way)!

The first thing I would do is switch your light fixture to track lighting. That way you can focus the light onto that wall much like what is done in an art gallery. I also think that may stop the reflection you are getting. I think putting cabinets on the long wall will really close in the space. I would make your red wall your gallery wall. I'd frame everything in white so they "pop" off the wall. The problem with the other wall being the gallery wall is that it's just to narrow. You can't really stand back far enough to see the art.