One new dishwasher = completely remodeled house

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Outdoor kitchen. Of course, I wouldn't be outdoors in Phoenix in Summer if you paid me.

Hehehe yeah.... my first thought was "build a nice little place to sit in the sun.

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Shade and a mister would seem like a good idea.

An arbor could easily be built in the general style of the house. Wisteria or Trumpet Vine are the most popular choices of plant cover here but you'd likely have trouble growing those in Phoenix. Like bougainvillea, they grow and grow but when you give them something to grown ON you get a lot of shade out of the deal. Depending on the plant, there can be a good deal of maintenance every growing season. The wisteria I mentioned MUST be cut back faithfully every year, sometimes twice a year or it will take over. But, you're rewarded with masses of lavender or white flowers that hang like bunches of grapes all over the vine. Is there some other woody climbing vine you do like that does well in your area?

I also like Mori's olive tree idea. I'd have one in a second if they grew here. And a bay (laurel) tree.