The stone you're showing, while one can make a path out of it, is not really the best path material. A stone that includes all particle sizes down to sand & dust packs to a better walking surface. While it drains, it doesn't suck water in like a sieve, as does the stone comprised of one particle size (as above.) You would need to grade walk to drain and could abut house if you use proper material. This presumes you don't already have foundation problems with water infiltration.

Concrete pavers tend to effloresce. This is a problem for most manufacturers of concrete products. Attaching concrete pavers using grout or a concrete mix will trap water (when it is applied) in between the pavers causing the paver to turn white, especially around the edges of the pavers. My experience with an "overlay" has given me a new approach. I suggest to cut holes in the existing concrete walkway where the water stands or puddles for a drainage effect before you start your project. Next, lay a filter fabric over the areas you have cut. Then you need to install some (course) washed concrete sand. This allows for proper separation of moisture so the paver doesn;t wick the moisture causing the surface to effloresce. Then lay the paving stones over the screeded sand using an edge restraint along the edges to keep the stones together. You may need to build up to the edges dus to the height difference. This is the only way the you will ensure that you will not get ugly white stains on the surface of the paving stones. Water is the biggest threat to any paving job.

A properly constructed walkway/driveway should not "settle". That's why they compact the base below it. If it does settle, it will be relatively minor, so it's not like all of a sudden you'll have a 6" high step.

Hi Melanie! So, a common way for placing furniture is known as the “floating” furniture arrangement. This keeps the furniture from being against walls and it allows more walking space from one room to the other. This type of arrangement is necessary especially when you have a living room that is as large as your space. This also gives you the opportunity to have more intimate seating rather than seating that can tend to be disconnected and awkward if seating were to be placed against walls within the space. For an example, what if you decide to place furniture against the walls in your space? This is going to make the living space become less functional and awkward due to the furniture being placed far apart from each other. And it will cause people to feel disconnected from one another. Or, this will cause someone to have to move from one area of the room to another, in order to get close to the person they are trying to socialize with. In realty, your space is very large in length, so disconnection between furniture and people could be of concern. Therefore, in order to avoid the -“leaning in to talk or hear someone” scenario, or having to move from one seat to another to converse with others, you should consider furniture arrangements, such as floating furniture, that will allow comfort and good conversation. You also have a beautiful view from your windows, so it is best to avoid placing your furniture directly in front of them. I would recommend placing your tv near the wall that has the smallest window. By understanding where your tv will go, this will serve as a focal point that you want your furniture to be centered around.