You could put a door in that greenhouse. Actually, you say you are considering taking it down? There is probably a door in there to get into the greenhouse that would become a door to the back yard as soon as the glass wall is gone. That big well frightens me. What happens to it after it rains? Is there a drain in it? Any sign of basement flooding? I'd arrange a visit during a downpour and look for signs of flooding...

My husband has decided on only getting the Green Egg and using it as a grill. According to him it's suppose to be the greatest invention ever! Yeah, we still have another grill hanging around, but the Egg is the only one we ever use any more. I think we're going to gift the charcoal grill to our daughter and new son-in-law. They're pretty much starting from nothing, so they'll appreciate it. Annette, I like your set-up. We're planning on something fairly similar. We intend to add a second, smaller Big Green Egg later. This'll allow us to use the smaller one when we want to cook just for us two, and when we have guests we can use the smaller one for an appetizer and the larger one for an entree. We also want a smaller one so we can take it camping. "If you want to cook on a covered porch, you must use a strong vent hood." ... i agree. Been there, done that. Won't do it again. Wondering how we're having such different experiences ... here's what I suspect: My covered porch, which works FINE with a no-hood grill is set up like the one on the left -- covered porch is attached to the house /is open to the air on three sides and gets a pretty good breeze. My porch is about 6' above ground level /steps on both ends -- could that make a difference? I wonder if people who are having a different experience have a porch more like the one to the right -- an "indented" porch? Or at least a porch that in some way gets less breeze.

You appear to have three rounded stone planters built into the stone wall outside the patio area. I don't know what is currently planted in them, but I'm guessing it may only be volunteer trees. I would turn the center one into a water feature to add a pleasant sound to your outdoor room. Then plant up the other two with flowers. As for the furniture, I would rearrange it with the sofa facing the outdoors side of the patio to enjoy the view of the wall and planters. Angle the two chairs opposite it. Move your two planters behind the sofa, flanking the slider, so you have flowers at both ends of the patio for everyone to enjoy. Close the tops of the two little metal stool/tables with lucite (or whatever came with them) and move one by each chair to be useful for setting drinks. Rescue your droopy string lights and put them on the tile roof edge. Add a coordinated rug and pillows in your favorite color. Anything can work with the neutral surroundings, and don't worry about the stone being too busy. Its background, so have fun with colors you love.

FWIW it is worth to those looking at the options like Localeater. Did some research today. A 10x14 pergola starts at about 4k (pine) and goes up based on material and features. We like Walpole (have bought from them before) and they make a nice one in Azek (looks like wood but wears better ... we used it for new steps at our beachhouse) for 10k. The retractable sun shades for the top are another 2k. 8 weeks delivery, alas. Then of course we need the mosquito curtains, another 1k or so. We would also need to dig up our stone patio to put in a foundation, then the put the patio back and drill through it. Meh. An awning with Sunbrella is about $3200 for a 9x16 (that size would nestle in nicely near our koi pond area). 6 weeks plus. More expensive if it is retractable, but that kind cannot accommodate mosquito nets. The awning vendor had a product that was like a screen that came down at a push of a button, hidden up under the awning. That was another $10k though. Alternatively, you can use mosquito curtains. Not crazy about any of these options so far ... we might start simple with mosquito curtains for our french doors off the MBR in Maine and see how the y work. I like that we can get them in white...