Great ideas so far! Our smart pergola by Arcadia has really helped facilitate needs much like yours. We find a lot of our clients hesitant to give up one thing over another due to either the pergola itself, the space, or restrictions. One thing to keep in mind with a wooden pergola although beautiful and helpful is that in most cases it is wooden, and it requires some maintenance over time. You potentially risk the problem of an open flame for a bbq, grill, and fire pits. Another that we encountered was the overall maintenance during the course of seasonal change and climate changes. Rain, sun, heat, and cold weather all take its' toll on wood, even treated wood with oil or stain. We would love to help you create the perfect patio just the way you dream it to be! We invite you to take a look at our page, gather some ideas, and see what the Arcadia Louvered Roof could provide for your home. Our system is completely customizable in color and size, allowing you to keep every possibility available! Our built in gutter system keeps you dry and allows you to provide shade at any time of the day! Good luck and let us know how we can help with your Houzz project! -The Shade Team Shade: Outdoor Living Solutions

A photo of your situation would certainly be more helpful, but please reference @gardengal's comment, "The majority of the feel of an outdoor living room will come from how it is furnished and decorated." That in a nutshell says it all. The photo you provided is Spartan and underdone and not in a minimalist kind of way. It's simply not a complete design thought. The photo above in @gardengal's post is a complete design thought. So are the photos below. This one is a Ramada as an extension of the home with no fireplace. The one below is a detached pavilion with a fireplace. This one has an extended roofline over a small sitting area but most of the living space is in the open. Again, it's about completing the design thought. The photo you posted is simply an undernourished space. Find photos that you do like and work toward completing the space to create a mood and environment that personalizes it for you. When I have dialogue with potential clients that are unsure about what they want me to do I always ask them to write down the three most important things, which gives me a better framework to start with. I make sure, above all else, that I meet those three priorities. Ask yourself the same question and it will provide you a better starting point and a higher likelihood that you and the designer or contractor will be successful.

To me it is too much wood, but it is a personal choice. I would put a beadboard ceiling on the lower patio and paint it a robin's egg blue. Since this isn't screened, the robin's egg blue keeps out bug that build nests on ceilings! It is true. and it really works. They think it is sky and they get very confused and fly away to another spot. Plus it is very pleasing to sit under too. Sky blue/green color.

I recently just installed a new T&G ceiling on an outdoor covered ceiling (covered Llanai) and wanted to finish the border with crown molding. Does anyone have a recommendation for type of material to use for outdoor crown molding? Would primed pine wood hold up to the elements or is other material prefered? Location is Florida and it will not be exposed to rain. The T&G itself is Cyprus Coated with polyurethane. Anyone have tips for fastening crown to concrete wall? Thanks!