philjames, I'm in the exact same position right now. I have to make the decision tomorrow. I love all the light we get into our house right now and a tinted glass pergola cover may destroy that. On the other hand, i don't want an outdoor space that's too hot to use in the summer. What did you end up choosing? Would you make the same choice again?

Doors usually open into a room you are entering. Only exception is front door which opens toward you.

My new kitchen will be light grey cabinets, white and grey stone bench tops. My current dining table is a clear glass top, black leather chairs with chrome legs/framing. I love these gold polished glass pendants for over my island bench but will they look okay with my dining suite or is it too different? I can go for the grey glass lights but they are quite opaque during the day.

First, find out if the hallway wall is load bearing. If it is, you probably won't be allowed to cut into it or remove it without a structural engineer approving the modification(s). Are solar tube skylights an option? Translucent glass doors might give a little bit more light into the hallway...