Can you be more specific as to what you feel needs updating? Are you unhappy with the paving materials? Have the stones shifted over time? When you say you want an "escape" for you and your sons, what do you have in mind - fire pit, outdoor kitchen, pool, etc? Photos of the existing space would help Houzzers offer suggestions. If you truly want an update and an escape, I'd recommend you search Houzz for a landscape designer in your area and have a design done for you. When you are making an investment in your property, a well thought out plan will save you money in the long run and will give you a better result than putting a bunch of ideas together. Hope you can post some photos, shade gardens are always fun to design!