Since you're wanting something that is cooler, I would first look at coatings made for pool decks. One brand is Kool Deck. A relative had this installed around her patio and pool and apparently it's supposed to be much cooler than bare concrete. Personally, I'd call some companies that specialize in coatings and review all your options. Here's one company I found that's in the East Bay.... their photos will give you some ideas. http://www.liquidcoatingdesigns.com/concrete-resurfacing-company-portfolio/porch-concrete-resurfacing-bay-area. Another option is stamp overlay, such as this . Also thought you might like seeing a nice photo of travertine. I had flagstone along the walkway of my previous home and you're correct about the surface being uneven. We had to be careful about the type flagstone we chose since we wanted as smooth a surface as possible. I can't say I found it any cooler than concrete with a SW exposure. I would have concerns about covering the edge of your stucco with a concrete step. Check the link below for info on stucco and the importance of drainage. Here is an excerpt from page 7: "Rain will soak into any stucco coating; the water will head downwards, and it must escape at the bottom. Weep screed lets water out through its perforations, and it stops the stucco from bonding to the cement foundation and creating a dam where water might pool. The screed should span between the wood framing or sheathing and the concrete foundation, and it should terminate at least 8 inches above grade". Here is a link that might be useful: Stucco

True ... it can be tricky working with rounded patterns such as the corners of your existing patio. But the answer is not to ignore them and go radically different because of fear and a present dislike. It is to be more careful in coordinating the new with the old. But the only way this is possible is by working in plan view, which would give an ACCURATE picture of what exists. Presently, we have no idea. I would add that it's high risk to incorporate a radically different style immediately next to an existing style. It's not impossible as Pei's pyramid in front of the Louvre demonstrates. But are we looking for something that different and willing to take the chance? For every attempt at doing that, I'm sure there are many failures or less than stellar results. It would be more reasonable to presume that we're not all world class architects and shoot for something compatible and in the same family. And then, in regards to your statement, "Maybe it's [the patio appearance] partially because the yard has no landscaping yet." Let me add some punctuation ... !!!!! Absolutely! It's impossible to be thrilled with a patio that is surrounded on all sides by veritable barren wasteland.

I had a cool deck placed over concrete on my previous pool build in central Texas. It definitely was cooler than the concrete and was not slippery but I was not crazy about the aesthetics. The patio was ceramic tile, a very bad choice--it was horribly slippery. My current house in North Texas came with a stamped concrete patio, this was hot and I thought was ugly and looked like stamped concrete. I cannot remember if it was slippery or not. When I had the pool built this time I went with Travertine tile--love, love the look, it is cool in the summer heat and feels so good on bare feet. It is a bit more slippery when wet compared to the cool deck. I had the patio covered with the Travertine as well. My daughter had cool deck placed over their concrete pool surround and loves it. I do not have any experience with Belgrade pavers. I think your decision should be guided by your budget first then aesthetics vs practicality. Only you know which one trumps the other two. Previous pool with cool deck and ceramic tile patio Travertine over the old stamped concrete Current pool with travertine on pool deck and patio

How old might your patio be? IF water pools on the brick most likely some settling has occurred - the grade should be away from your home. I suggest having a qualified paver installer examine it, pressure wash snd regrade necessary pavers then apply the correct sand.