I prefer the lights to be beside the door. YMMV

Oly - Don't mind sharing at all... Its 3100 sq/ft, 4 br and 3.5 baths. The balcony area is off the bonus room and not the master. Here are some pictures from soon after we moved in so it looks a little bare but truth be told we are still trying to get the place properly decorated! Maggie - thank you very much... I was just trying to find out what company did the shutters so I could find the exact color but wasn't able to get that info. It was one of the color options from the shutter manufacturer so we didn't pick out the paint at home depot or whatever. I'll dig around some more and hopefully get the color name to you. We were looking for that french blue look and think we found just that so we were very pleased.

Such interesting comments about pergolas and the like. I'd be the first to say that "decoration for decoration's sake" is not what strong architecture is about. And, certainly, if one is considering a pergola, arbor, trellis, or the like, it should be in character with and complementary to the architecture of the house, whether modern, transitional, historic or whatever. What are some values of pergolas and similar devices? Well...here's some: 1) They help link and transition the architecture and the landscape; 2) They may be excellent for appropriate plant materials; 3) They can define an outdoor area or space and make it a "place"; 4) They may create interesting and constantly changing shade patterns, i.e., a "light sculpture"; 5) They can provide shading from the hot sun; 6) Integrated with outdoor lighting, they may create an outdoor room for evening use. But, at the end of the day, as others here have said, you either like 'em or you don't. Here's some photos which illustrate some of the design options for pergolas: Pretty versatile in style and in design, don't you think?

Yes DM it is an awkward spot. I appreciate your input and wish I would have thought about electrical prior to this point. We were doing a front room/kitchen/bathroom remodel, I never considered having the electrical moved for the front porch light and now it is too late. We are hoping to update the exterior in the spring so I am keeping in the back of my head the hope of moving the light.