David, I think you're talking about styrene boards. I've been using the styrofoam boards with the little beads that are very good at embedding themselves in cement mixtures. I cut little wedges from styrofoam to insert in the block forms to make blocks that will go around a curve. You're being preposterous but I refuse to be insulted. I never said my blocks were anything but simple blocks. They have a poured footing and are mortared together with gravel behind them. I didn't say they were strong; matter of fact, I didn't make any claims except that I had made a lot of them. Like I said, I'm sorry for hurting your feelings. My concern was genuine, even if you feel it was misplaced. Peace? Deb

A lot of people do this and it can look really nice. I think it all depends on your personal preference and the look you are going for. Of course, it may all depend on what grade wood you have. If you do not have stain grade wood and it is not in your budget, then there is no choice but to paint it. However if it is stain grade, then you might want to reconsider. Some people have a hard time making that decision to put paint on such nice wood. My personal preference would be to not paint it if you already have really nice stained trim/moulding in other parts of your home and you can afford to keep it in your remodel. (1) Because I simply love the richness and beauty of stained trim and moulding and (2) I like continuity throughout the home. Are you planning to sell anytime soon? If so, these things might come into play with buyers as well. Stained trim is usually considered an upgrade, so it could potentially bring you more money. Also, most buyers like to see the same color trim/moulding through-out the house, no matter what color it is. However, if you are not thinking of reselling anytime soon, then I would do what makes you and your family happy! You are the ones who have to love it and live in it!

We had a similar situation where a concrete pad for a set of steps was poured against the front wall of the house, to above the concrete foundation level and above the sill plate that sat on it. There was originally flashing to keep water away from the join but over the years it corroded away and the water rotted out the sill plate. That and a couple of other pieces of bad design rotted out the entire corner of the house, which we had to have rebuilt. While you might keep an eye on the flashing and caulking, how about future occupants of your house? Will the knowledge that this must be done get passed on, or lost? Caulk is not a long term solution. One possibility for a long term solution might be to remove the concrete steps entirely, while keeping the patio, and build wood steps from the patio up to the doors.

I think seeing a lot of the trim has been painted white, I’d be inclined to paint it all white including bookcase, you could put the wall colour on back wall of bookcase