A thought for a second floor

I love this idea for a second floor.  The only real issue is the eyebrow window.  What an expense.  My other issue is the wood.  I do like the idea of doing all the interior spaces with wood panels...basically just 1/4 inch hardwood veneer plywood.  But I could never live with the wood.  As I often say, I love wood, but the ambers and browns in a room just suck up the light.  I even wonder at natural wood trim.  Of course, if you have lovely hardwoods, figured woods etc., it is a shame to cover them, but I always default to Paint in white or pastels when possible.