Since it's recessed a brighter color makes a lot of sense. Dark red, teal, maybe a tan.

The red suggestion Kevin Strader gave looks good. However, I would use a deeper red. The tan looks the best because it picks up the color of some of the bricks. You could even take in a picture of the bricks and have a custom paint mixed off of that.

Hi, i would suggest a nice red to match with the bricks.

I would look for a terracotta color to compliment the brick color as well. Also, look into adding more containers with colorful foliage plants that will brighten up this area.

thanks for the comments, so should i try to match the red/ terracota colour of the brick exactly?

i think i would prefer a contrasting colour as opposed to a matching color, if thats doable....thoughts on a colour that would work? all suggestions are appreciated