I like the concrete bloc walls. They are becoming quite fashionable today. I'd keep them in the natural concrete color or if they have been painted, a color paint that resembles concrete. The concrete walls give a hard and cold impression so I'd choose wood flooring for the floors. The combination of a warm wood on the floor and hard, cold concrete on the walls is a nice one. Brighten the space with colorful modern art.

Hi definitely remove the x bars on the deck balustrade. Landscape close to the house so it grounds the house. Trees will make it look less bare. Chose some that work for your area, that are evergreen, and are not going to grow really big. With a really plain house - dark colors will make it look better. Dark Grey, or black with a warm tone so it doesn't have a blue undertone in it. Make sure it is a warm grey or black. Use green foliage around it. Paint out the pergola in the dark grey too or white if you want a different look. Fill in the balustrade where the x is removed with plants in front of those areas. Grow a vine up the pergola that is nice.

I don't know how hot it gets in Auckland in summer (I've only ever been to NZ in winter!) but if it gets hot, then go for a pale colour. Dark roofs should be kept for cold places!

meager light in the kitchen, trying to find paint colors that would brighten it up, I was told whites would not work, I changed the old dark brown flooring to light flooring and now it looks bad big mistake, the kitchen doesn't look anchored, with the light floor, I need some ideas to make it feel anchored again, would dark cupboards work, sorry for lack of photos. Some suggestions would be great