Haha I did, crickets there too. I guess this is not normally a big decision?

Partim, Littlebug and threes....I am happy you are all on the same page. A part of me was hoping that someone would talk me out of painting. I really like the idea of switching out the runner even though that is relatively new and it's wool. The trick will be coordinating artwork with a patterned runner. Thanks for your advice. Oh yes....and my husband thanks you! lol

@Brianne Gandy - thanks for picture which clarifies things. Yes to your light placements & maybe add one at the inside corner of garage & house. I’d say no to shiplap on that section between windows but yes to some kind of metal wall hanging there. At 6’ wide, there’s enough room for 2 chairs - even rocking chairs - with a small table between them. If the section of pavers under the windows is 6’ wide, looks like section along garage is at least 12’ wide? My thought is to draw an imaginary line from the right edge of the window at left of door over to garage wall. See if that triangular space is large enough to place a circular table - larger than a bistro table size- with 4 chairs around it. This will give you the 2 seating areas you want with 2 very different looks. Place at least 3 large planters with evergreen plantings in them along the garage wall from the garage corner to edge of imaginary triangle space. You’ll need to water year round as under the eves so no rain. I have big saucers on my big pots to catch water & not have it all over pavers. I also have my large pots on plant caddies so I can easily move them when needed. Place 2 more large pots, one at right of front door, the other one at far end of narrow side of pavers to right of chairs. Maybe put very colorful flowering plants in those two. Last, but certainly just as important, remove the grass from left corner of pavers at garage end & all the way up past front of tree & to right corner of house. Fill this planting bed with flowering shrubs & evergreens. Lay a flagstone path through the bed from about the left corner of pavers over to the sitting area btween the two windows. This connects one end of pavers to the other & gives another nice option for how to walk over to that area. If you’re not an experienced gardner, get design help from local nursery. Having that planting bed will add huge curb appeal to your nice home.

Place a console table so you see it straight ahead as you enter - add a colorful piece of artwork above and a lamp on top. Pick colors from the artwork for a larger rug in the space. If you feel the need to check yourself before heading out the door, hang a large, round mirror on the other wall. Consider a new light fixture that hangs down from the ceiling a bit, with a coordinating one in the other part of the hallway. If you post some images of your other furnishings/artwork/textiles, we can offer more specific ideas...