Both sound good, but as it is a small porch, I would be inclined to go with the simpler design as in timber and black metal rods (only 2), or use stainless steel wire between posts. As the tops of your front windows have an X, I think the style fence you showed (which is very similar to X) would be too busy.

Maybe you could consider a bar fridge that may fit where shelving for microwave is... this could hold your daily used foods and then have your larger fridge in a garage area to hold things less used? http://www.google.com.au/shopping/product/879529927670433319?lsf=seller:9455133,store:5516113429362448143&prds=oid:5429649432223856483&q=bar+fridge&hl=en-au&ei=67UVWMGnIYKR8wWl0ZHQBA&lsft=gclid:CMHmgr2UgtACFdWWvQodHk4MvQ

I like both ideas, however think it's good to consider the practical as well as the aesthetic you are wanting. Consider your space and picture how each would look in the space you have. To throw a few more ideas at you, here are a few pics I just found on Houzz. There are certainly some very cool designs happening in the architectural world. Just decide what moves YOU and to heck with what a builder thinks-it's not his house (even if he is a relative). :)

siriuskey, i am not a big fan of glass balustrades. It would've been an easier option to be honest! And still keeping an open mind about it. We have hard wearing and low maintenance plant in the box, like agaves and other kind perhaps. We are learning from our neighbour whose planter above garage (but theirs is on the deck, different to ours) has gone wild due to the selection of plants. Maintenance? did mean something else?