Every time a scroll past this fan posting, I just think yuk, it really is awful and I don't often say that, usually I think isn't great everyone has different tastes ..but that abomination goes nowhere

I think you have a sago in your garden already ..the one remaining plant..the other thing that looks really great in pots is mass plantings of mother in law tongues .. Not sure of proper name. Low maintenance, low water, only occasional removal of the odd dead leaf. No leaves to drop in pool. You can get different sorts, to hind the fence go for really tall ones, in long rectangular pots or mass grouping of round, get a few big pots I always think they look better than groups of little ones .. Good luck

watchedpoppy, here's something about heat pumps designed for cold temperatures. Note, these are reverse cycled air conditioners (air-to-air), not pool heat pumps (air-to-water). I don't know how heat pumps stack up. It's an American site, so FYI -13F equals -25C. http://www.mitsubishicomfort.com/benefits/hyper-heating On a side note, temperature is just the product of the motion of atoms & molecules (kinetic energy). These are in motion all the way down to zero Kelvin (-273C). So although it may feel cold outside, there's still energy available in the site, although heat pumps do become much less efficient when it's cold (the difference in input & output temperatures is important). One thing that has made heat pumps very inefficient in the past is that the condensing coil would ice up at around zero C. This would have to be thawed out with a plain old electric element (COP of 1). Greatly reducing the overall COP in temperatures around our below zero C. But the modern heat pumps, which use the CO2 compressors Luxury Home Heating has talked about don't have an electric element to thaw them out, greatly increasing their efficiency. As for the noise issues. Some modern heat pumps (but not all) are very quiet. So just pay close attention to the decibels they produce, listed on their spec sheets. FYI, here's a good read. Though it doesn't mention solar PV, which would be advantageous for a heat pump. https://www.pooledenergy.com/blog/choosing-a-pool-heater-what-are-the-relative-performances-of-solar-gas-electric-pool-heaters/

Sumera. Congrats on making the big purchases. The rug in your last picture might be the right direction adding warmth but still the style pattern you mentioned u liked. But I would suggest you buy something on the basis you can return for full refund so you can see how it looks in place. Same with pendants etc. the room will change dramatically based on how you furnish it, and will over time develop into your style. Soft furnishings can always be updated. Good luck.