I attached a simple sketch of the backyard renovation plan, and I've added in in red notations the distances from the end of the new bullnose pavers going in at the pool edge over to the house. EVERYTHING is being demoed and cleared away: low brick wall, all cement, coping on pool edge, and fence. It's a full renovation. Attached drawing shows layout of the planned pavers. (Existing fence shown in the previous photograph behind the diving board is being kicked out about 8ft, as shown in this plan.) Just decided we will probably get rid of the diving board, also. Deviant, thanks for the pic. That is what I was hoping to get on this forum; real examples. How wide is that walkway? My pathway would be even less "cramped" because I would not have the solid sections of wall close by, since my planting strip would run continuously between the door openings. It's just hard to decide how much to pave and how much to leave as a soil border against the house. Four inches this way or that will change the look. I know I can only tell if I like it or not after it is installed! Thanks all.

We got rid of our futon because we got such a great mattress it wasn't comfortable to sit on when in upright position. I've found that if you want a futon that is comfortable to sit on you shouldn't get the queen size. The queen size is just too wide. Your feet won't touch the ground and the top is too high in the back. The other thing I figured out is the futons in the store have been sat on and moved up and down etc. so they're broken in. Our new one was so stiff it was impossible to get back to the sitting position from the bed position - also because it had springs and was very heavy. If he's going to sleep on it it will take up the same amount of room as a bed. They are not the easiest things to open and close for one person. If he definitely wants to be able to use it as a couch and a bed you should get a light weight thin mattress. The thicker ones are great as a bed, but not as a couch. Also, how much does he weigh? Unless he's a teenager pushing 180 lbs + he doesn't need the extra springs etc... Just my experience. Our $1000+ futon was sold on Craig's List after hardly ever being used. We now have a couch!

Thanks for your thoughts. I'll try to answer your questions. There are so many places (5 tables) to eat in this house we actually discuss where we are eating supper every night! On the front porch-- in the small DR-- at the upstairs table-- or by the TV? The dining room is just used as a practice room. Loosing the designated DR will hardly be noticed. There is a seldom used fireplace room ~21'x 13' with lots of windows that can be set up for larger extended family dining when necessary. The DR room will be turned into a bedroom. We need another bedroom because in our ~3000sq ft house we only have two bedrooms. Hope you can make sense out of all that. The small dining area at the end of the kitchen will be great for 2-6 people. But even then it will be used maybe once a week. I flipped the two rooms because I crave light and views outside; my ideal house would be on a big country lot. Anyway, this way the prep area is all windows, and that is where I will spend nearly all my time. DH will hang out in the 3-season porch and with the kitchen windows open, we can talk when he is around. I'm sure we will eat on the porch most evenings. Access to the garden and a shorter trip from the garage to the kitchen and laundry to kitchen are also big pluses. I like it much better than the first layout. Anyway, there are only 40 inches between the support wall and the DR wall. That is not enough room for the 36" cooktop.

You need a min 3' landing in front of your door if you going to alter the existing set up to meet the code. You also have a fire hydrant there (is that real or fake?) if this is a real one you have to check to make sure you meet access clearances before you wrap your new deck around it and also a hose bib needs to be moved.