so this is your suggestion but we don't know what the homeowner has done? the column bases fight the patio and too close together at the opening at the steps.. the hedges are too formal. i wonder what such a large pergola would do to the natural light inside the house.

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 Porters make metallic paint - Slipper satin - I have used it & it gives beautiful lustre - very dramatic in a living room. Or do you mean a flat paint with a silver tone? Again Porters 'Angel Shoes' may appeal to you. 'Phantom' is also nice but may be too dark for what you imagine. I think green would look good near your sleek kitchen - Porters 'Wasabi' is a good green which has yellow undertones that would sit well with your orange soft furnishings. With lots of indoor plants it would be on trend. Have fun. Let us know what you decide.

Concrete could go over but it needs to be thick enough and reinforced so it won't crack. Check levels and thickness required. Existing concrete may even need removing to allow new concrete. Depends what you mean by resurfacing? I'd price up all options first. It can be surprising what is expensive and what ends up cheap. Hardiedeck needs to go over a floor structure of bearers/joists/etc so not a cheap option for example. Have any pictures of the area?