you like or would you do something different with this smallish space between two windows?

son took the paneling off, so we need a new one, but what? One side of it is flush with a wall. I'm thinking about either cleaning up the brick and putting on some kind of new mantel or covering the brick with Nantucket Limestone from Heritage Stone. Any ideas? The black squares are old blowers that will either go or be covered over.

PS I do not want to tear brick out! And there are these two awful pockets on the hearth that end up holding a shovel, poker, dirt, etc... still have construction debri in them. What to do with them??? Thanks for any ideas.

to collapse it and it keeps re-appearing. I'm getting creeped out- can anyone tell by these pictures what it may be? Advice?

in 90 + degreee heat and a chandalier. I am also going to add fabric, which happens to be a Chaps tablecloth that was the perfect look to the opposite side. The whole family came today, 10 adult children plus spouses and 10 grandkids to celebrate m,y husbands birthday. Everyone wanted to sit under the pergola. We also added a fountain that is wonderful to listen to and enjoy the shimmering lights in the evening.A perfect view from the pergola. I am including several pictures. We still have a corner raised garden with a smaller fountain to complete the look. We did the Belgard 600 sq ft patio and curved sidewalks and other gardens two years ago, and had one of our daughters weddings in our backyard. Everyone loved it. It is a almost compelte shade garden, so I use a lot of different variety of hostas, sedum, astible, and other shade varietys to complete the look. It is our sanctuary of peace. And, believe me it is great to finally get some. We are going to complete it in time to celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary in Sept with lots of friends and family. In the past we have had some great Halloween parites on the patio as well. A much loved added living space to our home.