[vash]

no so sure this is practical for your climate..
but if/when i do my house..or move. i am going to focus a bit on using my outside space..i would love to sacrifice an outside wall, and turn it into a series of sliding doors or window. if window, make them low enough so that a person can step over a short wall, and get outside. open it all up when weather permits. outside cooking, eating.

of course, that would mean a large portion of $$ would go toward building an outside space you want to be in. could blow the budget.