How about Chelone 'Hot Lips' ? It provides a nice shot of hot pink color in the 2-3 ft range, full sun, in FALL ! Looks very nice paired with the Aconitum (monkshood) mentioned above, as both are fall bloomers. I will also strongly recommend lilies. I have just added about 20 lilies of different types to my pastel beds this year, so i am eagerly awaiting that show for the first time ! Plus, you don't have to dig and lift each year, they are quite hardy and will multiply, and the forms, scents, colors and variety of heights means there is one or more that can fill any "holes" you have in the June/July garden.

The table, floors, and walls are very nice. And it looks like you get great light from those windows. I'd move that plant stand though. It is blocking the main window and doesn't create a sense of space with the outdoors. How about replacing it with the bench from the table and having your plants lower so they still get sun but don't block the windows? I agree that the bench isn't great to sit on. And the chairs just don't match the style of the awesome table, especially since they are white and traditional. I'd replace if you can or at least paint them. I also agree that you need a large piece of art on the wall or a gallery arrangement of smaller pieces. It needs to reflect your personality!

You have a nice cozy functional kitchen, to me, you're not missing much. Agree that interesting pendants can be a "wow" you're looking for-unless you have a lighting fixture that would visually align with them, and that you don't want to contradict..hard to say without seeing the plan. But yes, lights might be just that. Different chairs might signal "upscale" more, as might a hood, or hardware, or taking off a farm sign-but are you sure you want to trade the feel you already have, for another one? What vibe are you looking for? I also understood you're not looking to redo anything-rater to add a special touch/substract something..correct me i I'm wrong. Obviously we all might mean something a bit different when we think "upscale". "Upscale" also varies depending on one's style. Something Smeg always works, that's for sure:) Or other nice colored small appliance. Also, varied metal finishes might add interest. In small touches. Different woods. Emamels and ceramics. As in: knives, tea kettle, cutting board, towel holder, all acccessories one uses everyday, mentioned already upthead-they're both useful and can be very pretty..you can take them in different directions too, depending on what style you prefer-from sleek and contemporary to quirky and whimsical. They can be your "wow", easily. My kitchen has the best natural light in the whole house, so I also have some plants in the kitchen. They don't bother me, rather make me happy. Live flowers in a great vessel, and fruits in a bowl that adds either color or texture, are not used by photographers and stylists everywere just because. I never had such a pretty dining as when my photograper friend brought and styled flowers just so. I always have flowers anyway--she just did some messy magic:) They also can be enjoyed and eaten:) Obviously. You don't have to always have these,and if you do- not neccessarily in the kitchen either. But for you personally-it can be your "wow" factor.

The first thing is the fault problem has to be addressed. In some systems if there is condensation drain problem, the power to unit and thermostat are turned off to prevent flooding. I am don't sure if that is what happening in your case. If you have a voltmeter you can measure the voltage between the R and C terminals. If you don't read approximately 24 V AC then that's the problem. You also stated the old thermostat was ripped off the wall. Perhaps a wire connection was damaged. You should also measure the voltage at the thermostat location.