This is out in soft cover for around 17 bucks. Yes, it is kinda cool. I was checking it out because I wanted to make a bamboo spout for my barrel/fountain. I ended up copying a design I saw at a local nursery. Digital cameras sure are handy! But there are some good designs in this book for trellises and fences and gates. Or if you can find a copy of "Ideas for Japanese Gardens" by Sunset Publishing, that's pretty good too. Might be out of print though.

Thanks BDW, we enjoy the porch, too. I always call it the 'porch' and DH corrects me. "It's not a porch... it's a deck!" Funny man.... but he built it so I 'let' him name it, lol. We spend a lot of our time sitting on the porch swing watching the cardinal and hummingbirds. I've attached a pic of our birdie having his breakfast this morning. I found the little chicks at the dollar store, only it's not a true dollar store. These cost me $1.29 for a mama chicken and four baby chicks. This post was edited by sunnysa on Thu, Jul 3, 14 at 9:03

There is some great advice already given but I'd like to add: There is a "Folk Art" product called "Glass Medium" that you paint/brush/sponge on glass first and let it set overnight to dry. You put it on the area you want to paint as it makes a film when it drys. It allows "acrylic" paint to adhere to the glass better, otherwise acrylic paint just doesn't stick to glass very well. A better choice for glass is "enamel" paint. As said above, letting it set for 21 days is the recommended "curing" time before washing it. I don't think you'll have that much of a problem washing it once it's cured, just don't scrub it too hard. Also know that "stencil" paint is a totally different type of paint. It's all in how it is made. You might want to check out some of the decorative painting books at the craft stores before you purchase paint. In the front of most of the books there is a section on the different paints/brushes to use for painting things. Donna Dewberry's One Stroke Painting books have that section. Her glass painting books also explain about "baking" a glass piece to cure it. There is a specific way to do it. Good luck and yes, if you're able to, please post a pic of your project when you're done. We love the pics!!! Sal

If you truly want something elegant and multi-functional you may just have to have one made. Here is a wrought iron chandy and ceiling fan in the link below. Scroll down to where it says: NEW! Fleur de Lis Six Light Wrought Iron Chandelier with Built-In Ceiling Fan. Yeah, I know, it looks like something that belongs in a Mediterranean decor BUT, use the *contact us* button to see if they have others in other styles coming up. It is hard to really recommend one for you space without any photos. Google around and be sure to check Esty. Here is a link that might be useful: Wrought Iron