Your narrowed redesign with the curve leaves a narrow, awkward space at the wall, and isn't a good design detail from a usage or construction standpoint. I think the existing layout works well with the house design, and if sun and heat are the issues, would you consider adding an arbor over the area to create shade? The arbor could use members sized to relate to your extended roof rafters, Spanish Colonial style, perhaps with Saltillo tile pavers to replace the colored concrete. Otherwise, there are plants in larger sized containers that would be perfectly happy with the heat. Succulents such as Crassulas, Cotyledons, Echeverias, Kalanchoes, or heat loving plants like Plumeria, Euphorbia tirucallii 'Sticks on Fire', Pelargonium peltatum, etc. Alternatively, if you added a new narrow tree between the driveway and porch to give some shade, such as Callistemon viminalis 'Slim Jim' or Tristania laurina, Agonis flexuosa 'After Dark' or Acacia subporosa, it would help shade your entry.

brutuses, I'm just realizing that les917 also said "the full width of the porch." It didn't sink until you wrote the same thing! Wow, I never even thought of extending the step out along the entire porch because of the boxwoods (which are trying to hide the exposed foundation). I figured the step would just lead to the door, but I can see how a full length step would leave lots of room for sitting! Would you run the walkway just straight up to the step, but have the step run the entire length of the foundation? There are a lot of homes like ours in our subdivision and everyone has the same walkup, so it's hard to visualize. Plus I've only had one cup of coffee! I really appreciate the new ideas!

Which shrubs will be 4 ft X 4 ft? They should be planted 2 feet from the wall, and about 3.5 ft apart. If they look oddly bare in that spot, fill in with annuals or easily-moved perennials until the shrubs get closer to their full size.

A simple back railing is what we’re hoping for but the inspector said that the required handrails shall be of one of the following types or provide equivalent graspability. 1.Type I. Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm). If the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter of not less than 4 inches (102 mm) and not greater than 61/4 inches (160 mm) and a cross section of not more than 21/4 inches (57 mm). Edges shall have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm). 2.Type II. Handrails with a perimeter greater than 61/4 inches (160 mm) shall have a graspable finger recess area on both sides of the profile. The finger recess shall begin within 3/4 inch (19 mm) measured vertically from the tallest portion of the profile and have a depth of not less than 5/16 inch (8 mm) within 7/8 inch (22 mm) below the widest portion of the profile. This required depth shall continue for not less than 3/8 inch (10 mm) to a level that is not less than 13/4 inches (45 mm) below the tallest portion of the profile. The width of the handrail above the recess shall be not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) and not more than 23/4 inches (70 mm). Edges shall have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm). He also provided the picture below. I’m now wondering if a simple black railing meets the above requirements for “graspability”.