I have had a stepping stone path planted with Mazus reptans for about 4 or 5 years now. My path goes through a shaded (with some morning sun) area bordered with tall trees. I started with 6 or 8 plants and put them out about every 10 feet or so. The rest of the ground they were to cover was mulched with pine straw. I do supplement that area with water in dry spells, but for the most part everything grows on rain only. I kid you not, they had met and covered the area in less than two years. They put on a good spurt of growth in spring and then slow down their growth rate for the rest of the year. Once they slow down, I take some clippers and trim them off the stones, for some years, they will almost completely cover the stones with a low mat of foliage. I also use an edger to keep them out of the shrubs and perennials that border the path. It's possible the Mazus could choke out plants, but I have not given it a chance to do so. Again, I only have to do this once a year. The mazus has spread into full sun areas too where it looks for all the world like lawn (except when it blooms, of couse). It does fine in summer sun AS LONG AS it stays constantly moist. Every year it goes into an area that doesn't get irrigation and has sun, and every year, the summer heat fries it to a crisp. It's the craziest thing. I have tried transplanting my clippings (which have roots on them), but they rarely ever take. This year, I may try potting them up for awhile first... As far as traffice is concerned, several times I have had a heavy duty project going where I ran the wheelbarrow up and down the path several times a day for a week or two. The mazus inbetween the stones takes a beating and looks kind of sad, but it has recovered in short order every single time. Great plant. Blooms in white or lavender. I consider the blooms a bonus. Very few weeds can germinate and make their way up through it. When they do, they can be a booger to pull.

Sounds like you are moving into my old house :) Regarding the tiny bathroom, our current house has very small (and windowless) bathrooms with 8 foot ceilings and one of them was painted a very pretty but dark copper color by the previous homeowner. The color was lovely, but combined with the small size it felt claustrophobic. After a year I painted it a light silvery blue and it was a big improvement. That said, it's not a guest bath, it's in daily use, and the combination of tiny, windowless, and lowish ceilings is a real doozy. If you've only got one or two of those features, the more intense color might be just fine. I think you don't have a lot to lose going with the bold color you like. You can always repaint it if the bold color doesn't work, and because the room is so small, you can do it very inexpensively :) I used Porter paint, which probably cost $27 a gallon, and I have enough paint left to paint the room over again if the light color shows wear and tear from the kids, or to paint some furniture :) Also, in my town, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore has lots of mistint paints from the better paint shops in town--I've bought gallons of Porter and Martin Senour there for $3. At that price, you can repaint the bathroom every week :)

I installed carpet tile throughout our ranch/rambler house (except for the kitchen) back in 2005. Most of it is Mannington Commercial; the rest is Interface (the same company that makes FLOR). Both were installed using pressure-sensitive adhesive on a plywood subfloor. Last year we installed a "house brand" of carpet tile in the basement, replacing broadloom that was lost to a drain-tile backup. This stuff is self-stick and has a much higher pile and thicker pad than the stuff upstairs. It was installed on concrete. I don't suspect this cheaper stuff will last nearly as long but it does not have to survive forever so it'll be fine. It's too early to tell how the downstairs carpet will fare, but the carpet upstairs has worn like iron. Granted, many of those years it was just me living here. But this is the same stuff (brand and grade) they install in the big airport near here, and it lasts through 8 years of luggage carts, footfalls, spilled drinks/food, etc. before it has to be replaced, so I fully expect it will last about forever in this house. It's not a bad DIY if one is somewhat meticulous. Have plenty of sharp blades handy and a couple of pairs of kneepads. The PS adhesive was spendy, but fortunately I used most of one bucket and didn't need any of a second. We have had occasion to pull up a couple of squares and scrub them of whatever landed on them; we have moved a couple around to equalize wear. Honestly, my biggest disappointment with carpet tile ("modular carpet" in the biz) is that the manufacturers tout it as 100% recyclable -- which is is, technically speaking -- but it's very difficult to find anyplace in this metropolitan area of 2.5 million where it actually can be taken for recycling. Shipping it ... pretty heavy stuff. The scraps just sit in our basement waiting for that someday.

Certainly wood steps can be constructed for curved chairs -- it will just require your finding a contractor with the skills to do so and the money with which to pay him/her. Seek more info from other pros in your area. Note: Avoid carpet ... anywhere ... everywhere ... anywhere ... everywhere in your home.. Note: https://www.google.com/search?q=curved+wooden+stairs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQitKXl_LZAhWMzlMKHVJpBkoQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=650#imgrc=hFcH0iB6dlLUrM:&spf=1521249282763