Both suggestions above are good. One house we did had an outdoor deck area which led to a pool and we put timber decking on the deck with a perpendicular timber-decked walkway leading to the pool. We then put lights in the walkway which created a 'catwalk', continuing along the deck. It looked great at night lit up with the pool lights on too! Love the stepping stones and gravel idea too.

Hi I like the idea of a deck that is a common level with the house, but it would be expensive and maybe a waste of materials if the bricks are still level and whole. Consider pressure cleaning the bricks to remove grime and weeds. Imagine a pergola over the existing brick area. Have large pots at the foot of some of the posts with vines growing up the posts to eventually form a cover for seasonal shade. (Don't plant the vines directly into the ground, as they will eventually spoil the brickwork with their roots.) Or maybe the pergola could be covered with a suitable material of your choice which suits your climatic area - shade cloth, timber slats, canvas shades etc. Would you enjoy a fountain or water pool of ssome kind? Perhaps a Moroccan-style raised pool with tiled walls. Add some lovely seating - teak? or cane/rattan? and lots of potted greenery. Have fun with your new look.

If you can put doors on the whole back area and deck or pave out to a functional size for entertaining - be sure to have as close to same height as inside and the whole width of the house if possible. You could do the pergola which looks gorgeous and makes a cozy feel. On top of the pergola you may be able to do a weatherproof retractable awning if you do not want a permanent covered area. That would make a whole area for indoor outdoor entertaining in all types of weather. You can still have a step down area to grass and plants at the rear. Travetine is great and easy to hose down. You do not have to concrete them down use pavers on a good road base. You would have to speak to the experts about how to get the right height - also be sure to have a slight fall away from the house.

Hi friendly Kim. I've just looked at your profile to see if I could find your photos. I noticed you have them on a new post. I now understand, you already have a full alfresco area under the main roof, and vertical sun blinds, and also have noticed your fan, as you mentioned. The roof extractor fan may help remove the heat. I was also thinking if you had some tall lush plants along the side where the pull down blinds are. This would stop the sun, but allow the air through. But, sometimes we just have to move inside. This is why solar passive orientation of our new homes is so important. Hope you find a solution.