Linelle, the ceiling leading into this area's ceiling is continuous and is presently white...so we'll probably leave it white for now. However, I did for a moment consider painting the ceiling in a lighter shade of Glass Slipper, OR with Benjamin Moore Dreamy Cloud which is a very pale lavender (it's on our master bedroom walls, it's gorgeous).

The cedar siding has to go and you need to post pics of both spaces to get any more help.

This is super adorable! My first home was also a circa-1960s ranch bungalow (also in Canada) with that type of rear entry - I think it is ubiquitous across homes of this era in Canada and as you know it can get a bit crowded, especially in winter with all the added necessary winter gear - and I wish I had thought of something as clever as that shoe wall. We just had one of those little cuts outs in the lower part of the wall where we piled our shoes instead. Great job!

I wouldn't touch the pine, but you've gotten some good suggestions for introducing some color. A rug, new light fixture. I love your counter height chairs, but that could be a good place to introduce color in painted not-more-wood chairs. I can't really see the seating other than a dark leather piece and the edge of what may be a brown leather sofa. And, I can't tell how new to know if you might be willing to replace with something of color there?