Garden design on line thanks for your graphics we have a similar deck structure to the side of the house- its more protection from the elements we need at the front of the house. Dyctecture i had considered a floating canopy but couldn't visualise how it would look- thanks for the mock up. But I do need more shelter as we live in the west coast of Ireland and the weather here can be pretty wet and windy!! This is the main access to the house and on a wet day the entrance hall can get very wet. Gildaville, I like the idea of following the existing triangle shape but definately need a roof- i just can't visualise how it would look and what material it can be constructed from. I really appreciate your replies.

Put in a few French drains where you dig a ditch and fill it with crushed rock to help the water drain. In low spots put in some drains [http://www.homedepot.com/p/Tuf-Tite-16-in-2-Hole-Drain-Sump-with-Grate-and-Seals-2HDS-4/203463511] with pipe running to the French drain. You might also need to bring in 10 yards of top soil along with some sand to raise your yard a bit as you're probably right at the water table level. We've had to do all this as we live in the Pacific Northwest in a reclaimed marsh [a nice word for a swamp] where we hit the water table if we dig down 3". We had to put down about 10 yards of top soil along with some sand to raise our back yard. We also dug a French drain along the back to connect to the associations drainage pipes through the neighborhood. My husband has put in at least 3 of the drains in strategic locations around the yard to help drain off the excess water. Our yard isn't perfect, but it isn't the swamp it was the first couple of years we were here. We have to apply moss killer every spring or it takes over the yard. My husband also puts down lime to soften the soil, and help the water drain easier. He and a friend rent an aerator every summer and do both our yards to help with the drainage as well.

i believe you need a pergola off the french doors, over the dining table. a fountain on your rock wall would be cool.

give it a tropical feel? or you could go with P Allen's greenblack. let the brightness be in the flowers?