Honestly, I'm very satisfied with the size and placement. However, It's not complete yet. :) I will put lighted pillars on both ends of the low retaining wall(seat). My wife is also asking me to put a counter top for her bbq grill. I'm trying to figure out the best place for it. I'm also thinking of adding 5ft wide stone walkway or crushed limestone that will lead to the patio. I am also thinking of putting a pergola like structure similar to the pergola. It will be on the north side. However, I'm not sure when I will start it. All the pics I posted before can be seen from here Patio/Pergola Build

So, the cabinets that are over the sink area..will these be shorter like on the first picture)or all the last inspiration pictures you've posted), or regular size? I think that'll help me to decide. If it has this thinner "band" look..natural wood seems particularly striking If they're regular sized..I'd be tempted to repeat the color (natural frame, color insert), and play a bit with a fridge area..maybe. I love that open insert for books you've posted, for the fridge wall. The concept itself is so beautiful it's hard to choose:) But on your inspiration pics, even when they go for color(melamine or what the surface is) they introduce lots of wood somewhere else. Say second picture-wall and ceilings are light wood. (I can already tell you though..it'll be beautiful whatever direction you decide on)

I don't hate it for exterior because there's a nice contrast in terms of brightness - Greek Villa is brighter and that's a good thing for trim. (usually) Wouldn't do it interior because the two colors are too close in terms of Chroma. But exterior, in natural daylight, it's going to have the vibe of using one color on body and trim BUT with a slight twist of brightness contrast.

I should note that while this build seems very expensive, the quote we were given (and again, we've used this builder previously) was way below market - for CA, I know :), not where many smart folks live and pay way less! We are also in unic. county land so taxes waay lower. Water, power, driveway, cable, etc. all at the street, which is why we couldn't pass it up. Low quote was due to the fact that a) we've used him before b) we've referred him 5 clients whose homes he's built and c) he is building 6 other homes in a 2 mile radius at the same time as ours. And, he's allowing us to tile bathrooms ourselves, find and have our own flooring installed, etc. We've done this trim work ourselves on other property, and husband as I've said is quite capable of handling heavy machinery, so while it seems prohibitively expensive, you might be surprised (but CA prices so....take with grain of salt). Everyone has been so helpful, I'm extremely grateful. Will go back to architect to do some tweaks as you've all kindly mentioned (and you've been so consistent!).