courtyard area
The courtyard is the visual feature from the dining room, kitchen, family room and master bedroom, as well as from the gym/spa, chess nook and upstairs rooms looking down. It should have a Tuscan/Meditteranean feel - paved, with a rectangular pond down the middle, with a waterfall into the pond outside from the chess nook alcove, and concertina doors into the dining room for an al fresco formal dining feel in summer. There should also be doors from the master bedroom into the courtyard. The courtyard should also be visible from the front door and visually connect the foyer and the family room. It should spill/flow into and connect the spa area, possibly through an archway, which in turn then connects with the resort-style pool, deck and cabana. The courtyard represents the middle transition in the home, from the formal/traditional front facade to the contemporary style kitchen/family/master bedroom/deck. (See also photo of my sister's courtyard, with lots of potted trees etc.)
sliding wooden doors to courtyard creates indoor/outdoor space from dining room (but could be white rather than wood colour perhaps)
could transition between the courtyard and spa area through an archway
Q