Thanks cait1. The mushroom caps are made of mortar. I used GE Silicone II to glue them down. The way the log was cut made it perfect for the mushrooms. That is a great idea to use wood for mushroom stalks though. I have another mushroom cap I was thinking of pouring concrete/cement for, but wood would suit it just fine! Thanks for the idea! LOL As for the gnomes, they are all the resin/plastic stuff. I am pretty sure they all came from JoAnn fabrics. They usually have a great gnome selection. My local JoAnn is fresh out though :o(

Generally want steps to be 10" deep minimum with minimum of 5 steps->50 inch run. Want a 3' landing at bottom of staircase. Ideally should have a 3' landing at top of stairs to stand on when open the door. Hard to fit in a linear format. Can you have a 3' or larger landing at top with a new proper staircase going down the side so that exit the door and turn 90 degrees to go down steps? Obviously would need railings. This would also eliminate the temptation to go off the end of the staircase into the pool.

I think ours is higher than that. I was worried, too, but my pool builder (and several people here) assured me that when you're in the water, it doesn't feel like a 16' rise. It's true!!! It sure seems high without the water, though. You're going to love your bubblers.

I am so sorry! Your last sentence breaks my heart for you. :( I just wrote a detailed reply - just to have it deleted. Grr. I have looked into this a little (I am not a builder or anything - just through Google) and it seems that many houses have a small step up (2-4 inches) into their house. Apparently it is to help keep weather from entering when the door is open. You have a porch, so this wouldn't be much of an issue BUT the point is: there can be a "mini" step up without it being a tripping hazard. Our home ( we rent ) has this and I have never even thought about it! The fact that there is a door frame, and usually different flooring, gives our brain the info it needs to understand. Does that make sense? Someone suggested something similar earlier in this conversation: build a step that is the same rise as the others you have (are there others? I can't tell from your photo). Make it wider than your front door (it will look better this way). Then the last inch or so will just be part of the natural step into your home. If you are skeptical, you could build a temporary one out of wood (a couple 2x6s would work), and try it. :) Anyway, I am praying (hope that is okay!) that you will see one thing every day (even if it is little) that you love about living in your new home - to help offset your frustration. Sincerely, C.