We installed concrete pavers around our patio and pool area and clay brick on the front porch. We did not seal the concrete pavers. Both were installed with a sand base. Years later, the brick looks as good as the day it was installed. The concrete pavers look tired, faded and I’d like to replace them. I wish I had installed brick everywhere or at least sealed the concrete pavers regularly. And around the patio area, I wish I’d gone with the largest stone practical, as the smaller the pavers/bricks, the more grout lines and the more weeds trying to grow in the cracks. Ugh! We are constantly spraying weed killer/vinegar on them.

A picture of the actual house would be helpful. I'm assuming this is a 1 story house?

Yes, that is a corset back. It is a popular design element in many women clothes and, if you seriously weigh and consider the fact that indicates a female in a state of undress....... not to be a prude, but just to point out that so many things about how we dress a young woman up to be "given away" have much over looked meaning Just saying, that's all. This is just my personal observation and my own conclusions. I, personally, welcome a different approach to marriage and weddings in the face of the fact that young women have come to the fore of our society and are no longer in need of being given away while dressed in a symbol of both purity and sexuality. I, for one, am pleased to see change in this outdated notion. So many wedding dresses seem undistinguishable from one another. But it is a corset backing and is meant to symbolize a glimpse of the under garments and to be provocative It is as if Scartlett Ohara is still getting dressed and her maid servant is still pulling those ties tighter. Although these ties are likely to be faux and not really meant to be functional and Scarlett would have worn another garment on top of her corset. You see the same feature incorporated in many other womens garments, too, mostly in those that are meant to be revealing I am just saying, that's all. I sewed my daughters wedding dress and it was one much like all the rest. As I was building it , in occurred to me to ask just why was this thing built with so much more infrastructure than any other garment. Why all of that archeticture and scaffolding under that dress? Some of them can stand up on their own! And, they will be worn only once for less than a full day! If I had it to do over, I would take a different approach. I have given it much thought and consideration since then and now have an entirely different view of the world and of the things that we take for granted without much real consideration as to just why. Some would claim that is all about tradition. Traditions do change. It is sobering when your child gets married and you realize that you are no longer considered to be their next of kin. And, if decisions need to be made for your grown child, that will fall to the discretion of their married partner, not mom or dad. Marriage is more than symbolic. It is social structure. It really is NOT all about the dress. I find it odd that some other cultures have come to imitate our social symbols and the white wedding dress has become popular all over the world and throughout different cultures despite being entirely a western and European inspired tradition. A man's suit is probably another example of our cultural identifies being adopted by others.

Your mention of Scandinavian makes me think of a minimal look - such as fireplace, not having a mirror, but a simple fabric/ tapestry. on the other hand, you mention modern mountain - would you like your fp to have a bit of "lodge look" if possible? For white element of sofa, would you like a sage green like this?