You can go far enough out on your slope so the vertical distance from the ground at your existing terrace and the slope is 3' or less. There are lots of retaining wall systems you can DIY there at the 3' limit and backfill to level a larger area. You might take in dirt when someone excavates for a pool, for instance - contact the pool contractors in your area and offer to take dirt for them as spring comes. you can also borrow the dirt from your own land further out. Once you make a larger flat area, treat the area where it slopes off from it with some thoughtful planters surrounding 6-10 wide / 4' deep "stairs" . Your leveling above will make the transition area a bit more steep . . so use this area for kitchen garden / raised beds that you sit at from the terrace side and walk up to from the bottom. The slope between should be stairs and on the outside edges you can use groundcover or plant more edibles. Then you'll always have herbs near the kitchen. The stairs will be large and wide enough to provide more seating or even be a play stage with audience arrayed below. Consider shade and where you want it when you plant trees. Deciduous trees are wonderful in colder climates as they give shade only in the summer and then provide architecture but no leaves for allowing winter sun in . . . Think of the land as a series of "rooms" with functions. The larger flat area will allow you to provide a dining terrace behind the grill area and expand your seating where you have the french doors. Your dining area might benefit from a pergola / open frame / trellis above that eventually you grow some lovely pole beans up on. . .

Hi Ken, I'm the Community Manager at Houzz UK, so I'm here to make sure you have a good user experience! Unfortunately, I can't help you with your swimming pool, but there might be someone from the pro community who can! You can also search our Find a Pro directory if you want to get in touch with an expert and you need to hire someone. Here's the link: http://www.houzz.co.uk/professionals Best of luck!

Hello nicnoll, Another idea could be to have a wall light that is all about the bulb! A few links to both ideas.... Copper is good too... Guessing you can have them pointing up or down for ones that don't have a moving hinge.. http://www.oldschoolelectric.com/vintage-light-bulbs/ http://www.industville.co.uk/collections/wall-sconce-bar-restaurant-lamps/products/vintage-barn-angled-brass-wall-lamp A ceiling light.. http://www.industville.co.uk/collections/ceiling-lights-lampshades/products/brooklyn-vintage-brass-cone-lampshade OR.. One other idea... have a rose with multi flex wires... centralised where the current one is.. Then choosing cable/flex and lengths.. run them along to where you want.. either along ceiling.. in loops with hooks to loop round and fix position, so then excess becomes a drop pendant to add something lovely.... Or you run them in loops across the ceiling to the opposite wall and have a wall light fitting but the electric cable comes from the one ceiling point. So less to do wiring wise.. Plus this makes for a very interesting bespoke installation.. with coloured flex cable running in loops along the hallway.. . : )) http://www.urbancottageindustries.com/historic-lighting/ceiling-roses/multiple-outlet-ceiling-roses/ceiling-rose-multiple-cable-flex-outlet-vintage-brass http://www.urbancottageindustries.com/historic-lighting/fabric-cable/twisted-lighting-flex/copper-fabric-lighting-flex-cable-twist

We have just had a pool put in our back yard and they left a rectangle shape for a fire pit. We are having a hard knowing what products to use with the firepit to match the pool and our traditional brick house.