tufaenough --- the ferrous oxide I use comes in large, cheap bags as a nutritional supplement for crops & critters. You can get it through any agricultural supplier. As you have no doubt discovered by now, predicting colors in and on concrete is the hard part as there are so many "unknowns" involved that affect the final tone and density. However, I've found the ferrous oxide to be pretty consistent and predictable in that the color is always..."Rust"...shades of yellow-gold to almost red. Variables seem limited to concentration of the solution you apply (how much you mix in a given volume of water)...how long you leave it on...and the density of the concrete or cement you apply it to. The higher the concentration and the longer you leave it...the darker and more concentrated the color...but these two factors take a backseat to the density of the concrete/cement mix. "Standard" concrete formulations will take this type of stain very well, however, if you "densify" the mix with admixtures, fortifiers and such...or use a very "lean" mixture such as neat Portland...the color effect can be minimal. For more info on various oxides take a look at the Bayer link below...they produce a wide range of oxide colorants as well as the aspirins that they are better known for. Just don't get them confused if you have a hangover. Here is a link that might be useful: Of Oxides & Aspirins...

You should stick with the pre-mix stuff and DO NOT worry about any of the latex admixtures. TRUST ME. My DH has been in the decorative concrete business for more than 10 years. Do not use old cement. It WILL cause trouble down the line. Use up your bags of mix ASAP, don't use some then put it away for a year or you'll either have a hard rock or you'll end up with crummy concrete pieces. I like to paint my concrete, or you can use wood stain to give it a nice look. Do this once your piece is cured out...at least a few days old to ensure the paint won't peel off. If you're in California, you shouldn't have to worry about stones cracking, so no need for the latex stuff. Go as cheap as you can for better results. 8 years ago I made some stepping stones for my mom using the quick mix stuff. She's moved four times and taken those stones with her and they're still just fine.

The cheapest thing I can think of for you to use is woodchips. Every tree trimming service is the country is looking for a place to dump their chips where they won't have to pay to dump them. Contact them and tell them where you live and see if they will bring them next time they cut in your area. I got twenty loads one time that way. They won't work with you unless you make it easy for them. Give them a map to your location. (several of them) Put a big orange stake in the ground where you want the pile and tell them where it is so they can just come by and dump without worrying about finding you and all that stuff. They will do it if you make it easy for them. One day you will come home and there will be a big ol pile of chips for you! Let them compost or just start speading them around the yard and garden.

Only other thing I can suggest is, if you know you want window treatments, you can have them box out the crown to leave space behind for the window treatment. I did this in my kitchen so the valance is on a tension rod and it gets tucked up and under the molding which sits about 3" from the wall. So the molding itself becomes the "valance". You can see the gap here, before the kitchen was finished. If you wanted to do that, you might want to make the box wider if you want side panels. [Traditional Bedroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bedroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_715~s_2107) by Oak Park Photographers charlie mayer photography [Spaces[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/home-design-ideas-phbr0-bp~) by Dc Metro Home Builders National Association of Home Builders