The vergola option with louvres is very expensive but also very effective as it provides so much flexibility in all types of weather. If you are outdoor people then this may be worth the cost. Coming down in cost, a climber over a pergola is also a good option depending on where you live. In a cool climate make sure the climber drops its leaves early enough so the late autumn and early winter sun comes through. Conversely, if you're in a warm/hot climate then the longer the leaves stay on the better. Some deciduous climber and trees lose their leaves quite late. Awnings are also very flexible but may not allow wet weather usage. Of course this depends on the type and size of awning. Oops, I just noticed this was originally posted in 2014. I hope you've sorted it out by now.

Merbau is an imported hardwood apparently from Indonesian 'sustainable forest's'.... I'd stick with local hardwood's as you will know well truly that they are 'sustainable forest's'..... It's only a few bob more so may as well support aussie job's as well as the environmental factor's such as transportation. Tallowwood is a good outdoor timber but so is spotted gum and ironbark. Just come down to cost for me as all aussie timber is world standard quality. You could put fibre cement sheet on top of rafters then colorbond over. Lot of options to choose from, plywood, t&g timber as well as the fibre cement sheet. Depend's on the 'look' you're after, budget, etc.

Hi friendly Kim. I've just looked at your profile to see if I could find your photos. I noticed you have them on a new post. I now understand, you already have a full alfresco area under the main roof, and vertical sun blinds, and also have noticed your fan, as you mentioned. The roof extractor fan may help remove the heat. I was also thinking if you had some tall lush plants along the side where the pull down blinds are. This would stop the sun, but allow the air through. But, sometimes we just have to move inside. This is why solar passive orientation of our new homes is so important. Hope you find a solution.

So I have decided against doing a feature wall on wall running alongside shower as it will make the room too dark. Instead the feature tiles will be on the wall behind the shower mixer. I am now in a quandry re the vanity wall. The floor will be light grey concrete style tiles, walls satin white and the ceiling is a raked ceiling made from baltic pine which over time has gone orangey tone. Do I get a plane white vanity, charred oak timber look (grey), another timber tone? I have decided on 1200 mm wall hung vanity but need help on colour and whether or not I put a mirrored cabinet on wall above vanity also. I originally had decided against any cabinetry above the vanity.