I'd leave it open the way it is. Looks fresh, bright and beautiful!

The construction does not look strong enough to support vines,and in the desert you need a cover that will provide shade year round....perhaps a double layer of shade cloth or canvas installed over the top smoothly and attatched tightly will do..this loose application can parachute and become torn or damage the framework in a heavy wind...as to the vines in general they can be messy and bugs and bees can be a problem if you are dining in the area...consider sheer curtains gathered by the posts for that resort ambiance,they flow in a breeze and can be installed on rods if you need to draw them for shade or want create a dining room feel for dinners on the patio..living in the desert weather makes it more practical to use fabric designed for outdoors,you could also use solid panels on the sunny sides for shade during the day ....ambiant lighting in the the space for evenings is a magnet for guests and parties outdoors as well.....

Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions....I was stuck. I put the shade cloth on the top for temporary shade from the sun until I put the vines in. I put the grape vine up, but then I grew to like the shade cloth. Then I purchased the drapery panels to put up, then second guessed myself again if I should go with vines. Uggh!

Hi, I would also suggest using a good fabric like Sunbrella, AwnTex, or SergeFerrari. These fabrics come with warranties and some are mold and mildew resistant. Check out our Web site for some more ideas on fabrics at http://www.americanawningabc.com/our-products--services.html. Hope this helps and good luck!

I would do more shade cloth. Hard to beat as it lowers the temps so well! Plus, wind blows right thru. Lightweight. It can look good if done well.

Trust your instincts ..they have been pretty good so far even if they just sort of fell in place by accident...there are so many factors that only time and experience will bear out...for ideas be sure to look at lots of photos by typing in your specific needs... (Canopies...shade structures...pergolas...etc...)Then just take the parts that you LOVE and try to incorporate them into your plan...this will make the end result all yours

Thank you so very much. You have built my confidence. I put the pavers down last winter and everything still looked barren. It took a couple of weeks to build to pergola, (I'm a 63 Yr. women) and it was hard to get those 6x12 s up. I was going to go with drapery panels because summer in the desert is hot and I wanted shade. But the wind is off and on and I realize I would have them tied back most of the time. I did weave the shade cloth thru the top 2x4s so I didn't have to make it permanent. I can take down during the fall so I can see the beautiful stars.
Thank you for your ideas and compliments. It is very much appreciated.

Just one comment on the curtains there are lots of options ...bamboo pull downs ..curtains made from shade cloth ..and lite weight sheers(IKEA good resource) ..they really do add the biggest wow factor...also the shade cloth will look much more finished if it is smooth and attatched ...it easy to do...measure to fit ...with room to roll the ends around a 2x2 and staple ends..this then can be attatched to the pergola with a few screws ..I will try to attatch a photo ...this is about 30 feet of shade cloth attatched only at the ends ..you may see the tiny 2x2 across the last top beam...also see sheers from IKEA in second picsecond pic

Just one comment on the curtains there are lots of options ...bamboo pull downs ..curtains made from shade cloth ..and lite weight sheers(IKEA good resource) ..they really do add the biggest wow factor...also the shade cloth will look much more finished if it is smooth and attatched ...it easy to do...measure to fit ...with room to roll the ends around a 2x2 and staple ends..this then can be attatched to the pergola with a few screws ..I will try to attatch a photo ...this is about 30 feet of shade cloth attatched only at the ends ..you may see the tiny 2x2 across the last top beam...also see sheers from IKEA in second picture

Also since my pergola is quite large and has a roof you can see I semi-enclosed each end to re-enforce the outdoor "room" feel

I would cut back that one vine you have started. Vines add a lot of weight to a structure.

Since you are desert with sometimes powerful winds, consider adding something along these lines to the sides and top. Bet you could find a handyman to do it for you for not too much.

Gives a lot of privacy also. Still staple shade cloth to the top for more sun protection.

If there is a spot elsewhere in the yard for the vine, there are a lot of options out there to support it. Even make a fun tee pee.