I would love to have vintage black wrought iron, but had looked for a year or so, and never found a single piece. In the meantime, we needed something to sit on! I bought 4 chairs, a bench, and 2 side tables from Lowes for less than $700. We've only had them a few months, but we love the set! They're cast aluminum, very comfortable, and sturdy. My criteria was similar to yours, but since some of the pieces would be totally exposed to the elements, I didn't want any steel construction at all. I also wanted them to comfortable without any cushions, since I knew it would be futile to put them on the pieces that sit in the sun and rain. I'd like to get at least some pillows for the pieces on the covered porch, but it's more for color than comfort.

Thank you for the pics, lydia and mush. Yes, that's the mesh fabric I'm talking about. lydia, I'm glad to know it seems to be holding up without sagging, even with someone a bit heavier on it. I think the glider has a support bar that divides the bench seat in half. But each half looks plenty big enough to sit two large people, so I don't think they'd be uncomfortable, since neither would have to actually sit on the center bar. That's why I was more worried about the fabric holding up, as it appears to be all that would support anyone's weight. mush, my back porch is rather small and a decent rain can still blow under the roof and soak whatever is there. So I was hoping not to have to buy a glider with cushions that have to be hauled in every time there's a chance of rain. By the way, is your patio umbrella the 11 foot one currently being sold at Costco? If so, does it lift up easily? Well, both your sets look nice and now I finally have something I can tell my kids I'd really love for Mother's Day!

Haha! It's only for the summer. All pipes & hoses are drained and the enclosure is dismantled in the fall. The house was a 3 season cottage so the hot water tank had an exterior tap to drain the tank for winter. (since winterized) We realized we could hook up hoses to the cold & hot taps, feed them to a Y connector, attach another short hose and garden Sprayer and be able to shower outdoors. My husband laid a brick pad on a slope then put privacy fencing around it. We knew there would be some damage to the exterior wall but didn't worry as we are tearing that end of the building down in Spring and putting up a 2 story structure we laughingly call the east wing. We absolutely love the convenience so we incorporated it into the new design off our new family bath...accessible by sliders. Right now the scum on the siding is ridiculous because we have lime/calcium in the water, but that will be solved by the water softener.

I would love to make this into the quintessential outdoor entertainment space. I wouldn't change what is there except remover the fence between the pool and patio. I see a great outdoor kitchen and a bar, both with counter or bar height seating. A few round tables with 4 chairs each around them - must be comfortable!. Add some paddle fans, a misting system. All seating must be comfortable. Around the pool I would have a couple of seating areas with 2 chairs and a small table between them so people who are swimming can sit and dry off or have a drink, also nice at night when it has cooled down and you just want to sit and enjoy the evening. On the far side of the pool I would create a fire pit and seating (far from the house and shed so you don't burn anything down). You could do a horseshoe pit, putting green or ping pong table. Don't forget an outdoor sound system. Think about how you will entertain, who you will have at your home and how you will enjoy using the space. No one cares how modern it looks when they are having fun.