lessstuff's Profile

Don't paint the wood, you might lose the rustic feel of the place.
The red french doors and what looks like a yellow bookcase definitely brighten the room and add excitement and character. I would recommend continuing those bright accents throughout the cabin, perhaps with a brightly framed mirror for instance. A surefire way to open the space up with light, at least during the day, is to install skylights. I personally live under an exposed dark wood ceiling, but a group of skylights at the crest lightens up the entire place by 100%--and we don't pay a monthly bill for it. Place lamps or track lighting around places where much light is needed: kitchen workspaces, desks, reading areas, etc.