If you are establishing a sustainable/organic/permaculture type garden, then a chicken tractor can be pushed all over the yard to benefit both the chooks and the soil. As well as that, or instead of that, you can make a secure enclosure for them to run in the day, fenced in chicken wire, with a fully enclosed, warm house with perches at night. Instructions for both types are on the Internet. We let our poultry roam free range in the gardens at weekends, but not on weekdays because of our Jack Russell cross dogs, who have already killed one duck.

I have a similar family room, with big windows and a sliding door and we have block out Roman blinds on them. They sit at the top of the windows most of the time as we don't have any privacy issues with being looked in at by the neighbours. We really only put them down at night in the winter. Ours have a creamy coloured background with taupy wavy lines on them. Very neutral. I never could have imagined that's what I wanted til I saw the fabric. Good luck I'll see if I can find a photo to post.

We had timber tri-folds (also facing north) in our previous home and whilst our landlord sanded and re-finished every couple of years, they didn't stay fresh for very long and it affected the integrity of the timber too (slight warping and 'furring'). I used some Haymes Exterior Solarshield recently and it was brilliant over very poor quality timber and I noticed it's guaranteed for 20 years?! It was acrylic and very easy to use, but has sealed the timber beautifully. It may be better option for the longer term if you're happy with the look of painted. It would look lovely and one less thing to worry about!

What a lovely kitchen. Good idea to match to window and bi-fold. Gorgeous splash back tiles and the black pendants are perfect. I also spotted the clever used of space with the bank of drawers in wall between oven and L-shaped counter.