I had a question some time ago about the right kind of paint to use on stucco (I have no idea what foam stucco is), and I don't think I got any responses. Maybe stucco is not commonly used? I am under the impression that stucco paint needs to allow the stucco to breathe, but that's as far as we've gotten. We've decided to focus on the interior first, so I've not done any more research. If I were you, I'd ask at a paint store AND also ask stucco (or foam stucco) experts. There may in fact be special paints you should use.

I like it. Is it cutting edge trendy? Not even close, but I like it. It's homey and comfortable. If it were mine, I wouldn't paint. If you paint, you're going to have to paint not only the shelves, but the lower half of the walls and the ceiling beams ... and in the process you'd lose so much warmth and character. If you feel you MUST do something, I'd do the fireplace in a white wash -- a dirty white wash that'd allow a bit of color to show through. You could test this: Tape up some white paper on the fireplace and live with it a while. I wonder how much of your dissatisfaction has to do with lighting. I see you have several lamps burning. What if you could do something along the lines of in-cabinet lighting -- you know, like they do in kitchens -- in the shelves. Or what if you bring in color in your furniture? Instead of painting the room itself, bring in a RED sofa ... or paint the (completely removeable) table and TV stand a bright color.

It depends on what you want. Solid color will cover up the wood like a paint does. Semi transparent will let the texture of the wood show through.

Pretty granite. Consider a glazed ceramic tile in a white that matches your cabinets or a gray or blue from your counters. You can look for tiles in a fun shape budget permitting. This is a Daltile herringbone mosaic from Home Depot available in white and a couple of grays that sells for $1.99/sf. I generally prefer less grout, so I would look at their classic subway tile and their 4” square tiles as well. You will not have a lot of choices in glaze colors, so their white will either work for you or not, but Daltile is really inexpensive, good quality manufactured tile that is readily available and worth a look.