I love your outside entertaining area. It does need a color that would complement but give the area a focal point. I like the darker red,orange colors you may find in natural. You could dress up the table with accessories and place cushions in a complimentary color on the benches. Colored potting containers would also bring it all together. I like the uplighting here in the photo you could place along the back fence to add drama. Your area reminds me of Modern mediterranean landscaping.

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?

Textured linen or with a subtle print wont date. Feature walls make a room smaller as they jump out ar you. Wouldnt recommend. Get some interesting art or craft. Pick up colour with accesories

Personally , I wouldn't use that wallpaper -- it doesn't suit the apartment style IMO . I assume she wanted to add some focus and colour , but to me it doesn't work . To make it work ( or at least not 'jar' ) if she does insist on the wallpaper , pick out the burgundy or red of the wattle flower ( or whatever it is ) , and do a wall opposite it in that exact same shade , or maybe the kitchen area if you have good masking skills . The animal skin rugs look great , but the couch is 'lost' -- add cushions in the same red or burgundy as the wall , or go even brighter red or burgundy . Rest of the walls can be left as they are ( depending on wall condition ) or any similar neutral ( aka bland ) grey or cream , or possibly even a light steel blue .