Ok, neighbor (I live down by LAX), I'll throw in a couple more cents. First of all, no, you're not silly, you just shocked the heck out of us is all...I think it was the evening view toward the house that did it!!! Secondly, don't give up your questions because you do want to make *some* changes otherwise you wouldn't have asked. It sounds like the 'sterile' observation hit a chord, so work with that. I can't tell from just the two pics, but is this a fairly new property, because the landscaping seems small, either young or groomed that way. As someone with a passion for gardening and I would think the feeling you have being in the garden may be add odds with the straight, although beautiful, lines of the columns and house since you had the idea for the English garden. Sooo, take a deep breath, with any house, let alone a large one, it's a marathon, not a race, and there's always things that need changing. So, since you asked, here's some thoughts that come to my mind, in no order.... -For sure keep the view from the house to the ocean open, it looks nearly like an infinity pool, is stunning, and I would think very relaxing and good for the spirit. As mentioned, taking out the pool entirely is probably not the best thing if you move, and if you're not old enough for a jacuzzi yet but you will be eventually so that's a must keeper if they are the pools on the sides! ;-) Or, for that matter, if you re-arrange the pool a bit later, I'd keep the 'therapy' water in the design. Folks may not swim, but most everyone has a bad back, etc. and what better than enjoy the therapy looking out over the ocean??? -Is that a balcony in the middle of the house? What about some _modest_ sized, so as not to eliminate the lines of the house trailing plants or even roses? Bouganville would be monsters unless you could find a small variety, but would be drought tolerant and match the style of the house. -Urns would match the decor, but not soften the appearance if that's where you're going. Also, don't forget, unless you specifically drain water away from pots, they'll stain the concrete around the pool and it will look ghastly. -I have to agree about finding a professional for more guidance in the pool area. There must be a ton that work up there. There are so many landscape designs up there drive around at least for ideas, and if you're really brave, knock on the door on a weekend to see if they'll share. If nothing else, they should take the question as a compliment. -Knowing not what I know not, I wonder if there are pool people that could change the style of the pool to (it sounds like?) something elegant but more garden appropriate, more pond-like as mentioned above, ie, darker bottom, garden waterfall into it, etc. If it's chlorine you can have a gizmo put in that somehow makes chlorine for you, eliminating some of the maintanance, or go for salt water, some people like it, I don't know the pros and cons. -Weather. It gets chilly up there in the afternoon, let alone other than the summer season. And foggy. If you do make changes, do keep in mind some protected space if you don't have it elsewhere, if you want to sit outdoors and enjoy the view of your new garden design and the ocean. Ok, gotta get back to work, but do take to heart that although I'm sure you love your new house and the view is amazing, you wouldn't have posted if you were 'comfortable' in the pool area. Follow your instincts and see where you go. It's your space, keep asking questions until you're happy with it. Best wishes!

"I keep on forgetting that Halogen lighting can be line voltage too. For some reason I was thinking that all Halogen lights are low voltage and require a transformer " Just watch out for vibration with halogen lights. The line voltage bulbs have less rugged filaments than lower voltage and are very unlikely to achieve rated life with even the smallest vibration. Puck type line voltage halogens are especially bad, but even PAR line voltage halogens are vulnerable. The higher operating temperature (compered to conventional incandescent bulbs) and line voltage operation prevent the filaments form being wound for vibration strength. This is why auto bulbs are 12 V. The filaments can be wound in stronger shapes than a higher voltage filament could endure.

Assuming rust is not a problem and the old finish is sticking, just clean well, sand lightly if the existing finish is glossy, paint twice with semi-gloss dark bronze. If you want to get fancy you can get an antique finish by wiping on a little black after the bronze paint dries. If the metal is rusting or the existing paint is peeling, that's a little more work

Thank you to the last two posters, good advice keeps coming in. lisa sandiego, I had just seen a stainless steel light fixture similar to your three in Home Depot. I hadn't given it a second glance at the time, but now that I see how it looks in an actual kitchen, I really like the look. It is classy and streamlined. My flooring is going in tomorrow and if I find that my kitchen suddenly looks busy with my countertop and flooring and the light doesn't tie it in as I hope, I'm definitely returning to get the light like yours, which will look really good with all my stainless steel appliances and door handles. Very nice, thanks again!