I was thinking one way to get the blocks to stand out more is to make sure to use a contrasting fabric for the blocks with sashing. I've also thought of doing it using all types of "star" blocks and making them in sizes so I can put sashing around all of them. I like the look of the stronger horizontal lines around the blocks to break up all the vertical lines.
When I made mine, I thought I'd not like all those square in a square blocks, but after I put it together I really liked having a bunch of them.