Not sure what your budget is, but how about a Pergola? It would look absolutely beautiful, doesn't cost a bomb to install and you could add some fast growing vines, be they flower or grape, or a mixture of both, whip the slabs up, lay a plastic membrane and then whack a couple of tons of peashingle down. To finish it off, I would remove the wall in front of the patio and replace it with some large planters containing box hedging, rosemary, or lavender. A little touch of the continent, right on your backdoor step and you won't even need to go through passport control!

Hi. I quite like limestone for cottages ( a mix of buff yellow, pale grey and ochre). It also tends to be cheaper than other natural stone which is a ninja! I'd choose one with different size stones and lay in random patterns. I also love the look of limestone when wet which can be a factor in the UK so something i'd consider!

I forgot to put a picture from the night I drew the stencil up. Oops

Desperately needs more planting, perhaps something with more height in the two planters along with trailing plants such as ivy or even allow some clematis to trail down, rather than the usual climbing up a trellis. The big expanse of white wall needs softening too. How about three nice big pots with some evergreen planting in them like Fatsia Japonica? I must say the paving has been beautifully laid.