I guess this is an old posting but here are a couple of thoughts: Low barriers like railings on the windward side will cut the wind down. I noticed it on my porch which just has a wide top railing. So add railings and clear glass panels to that side of the deck. Also, add low shrubbery out in the yard like a low border or fence so the wind will go up and over it and maybe over your patio. The wind also hits the flat side of your house and 1/2 goes into the patio area. So add shrubbery on this side and maybe even a post or short wall sticking out 6" or a foot on the corner of the house to direct the wind away from the patio.

the plants on the back fence will give good impact once grown. The rug is more of a pain. This would be a cleaners nightmare. Gives the area impact but not a suitable design choice near a pool. The mirror looks good but near a bbq you are always going to have to wipe the grease from off the mirror. The plant will also have to be removed once you start cooking. The chair is to close to the bbq and the fridge. So this would have to be moved to be able to work in this area or open the bar fridge fully. I do not mine any of the furniture but not a suitable out come for the area where the design seems not to be workable. Vision is important but design area must also be hassle free.

I totally feel your pain when it comes to dealing with mosquitoes in the garden. They can be such a nuisance, right? Thanks for sharing these awesome natural solutions using plants to keep those pesky bugs away. Lavender, marigolds, rosemary, and basil all seem like great options. I've personally experienced the annoyance of mosquitoes firsthand, and I'm always on the lookout for effective pest control methods. Speaking of which, while browsing online, I stumbled upon a pest control service called AJ Verminator Pest Control. They might have some helpful solutions to tackle these critters. You can check them out at https://ajverminatorpestcontrol.com/wasp-pest-control-sunderland/

Re your designer, the most important part of any house is the floorplan so you will benefit from what is spent on design. No, I thought that I had read in your first post that you were moving the driveway $10K, did you do that. As I said I am not an engineer, but for the sake of a better overall floorplan you can work with and around with Load Bearing walls but it does cost, you earlier discussed using posts to help with supports and using fretwork across the top to conceal if you felt it necessary. My upstairs floorplan has the staircase brought back towards the Alfreso with the access from that end up to the bedrooms, ie kids coming home from school, through the mudroom/laundry, powder room and then either onto upstairs or into the kitchen for something to eat and then up stairs. By moving the stairs back will give you a Grander Entrance which you wanted. Everything you do doesn't have to be in the same style as the old house, the rear can be more simple with large stacker doors etc keeping your beloved French doors for the front door and living room etc. Don't be in a rush to make a decision, you are spending a lot of money to achieve your dream house. Did you look at the Youtube program which shows you how to marry old and new. I think the dining needs a bigger window looking out from the kitchen etc to the view of the pool, this is also a good safety thing to do, work with a blind, pergola etc to help control any heat.