watergal, If you are more comfortable with concrete...then go for it. Just get what sounds like a dangerous situation corrected, please. The step(s) will have to be built to code. The construction company will work measurements out that are best suited for the site. You do not need to micromanage that part of the job. If you want two steps, tell them. Yes, it's okay to have only one railing. Code usually does not require a railing for just one step. But common sense rules here. The following suggestion is going to fall on deaf ears. But I will suggest the idea anyway. Being an oldster myself I believe that we all want to remain in our homes as long as we can. This means spending money and adding certain safety features such as grab bars, etc. You plan to install a 10' walk which ices heavily in the winter. It would be possible to install electric coils under that new sidewalk which could be turned on for an hour to defrost the walk as needed. Think about it.

My main purpose is to keep the wall from being such a stark feature in the landscape. It is 8 ft tall and 100 feet long with curving flower beds along the front of it. I would like to use a mixture of plantings that will grow and become the focal point of the area instead of this obnoxious long wall. I love to have things blooming at various times of the year. The wall gets afternoon sun and since it is concrete I am imagining that this will only increase the temp of the area. On the positive side, this might allow me to plant some things that are kind of iffy for my zone but do well in the zone to the south of me. What do you think? THe main plants/shrubs I am looking for would be the background of these beds. They will sit directly in front of the wall and then I will plant other lower growing shrubs and flowers in front. I am definitely planning to do some type of water feature but it needs to be a self contained wall fountain of some type and is going to come later as funds allow. I haven't really researched sources for those types of fountains yet so I am not sure what it will cost or require. Thanks for the tips and help!

Not a Pro. Most people want color they can see from the street. An area rug will only be seen by you and the guests that you invite over. If you are far from the street, then an area rug is for you. .I would give it a try. It will give the area tons of color for very little effort on your part. My concerns with it, would be people tripping and curling corners, if it does not lay flat. If you want color that can be seen, colorful planters, flowers and pillows is the way to go.

"can we add any layer over the concrete to make it look like patterned concrete" No, even more no due to the concrete failing already. Sinking steps, more then likely a replacement is necessary. Cracks, two types of concrete, cracked and yet to crack. You are not stopping it if it wants to crack and your not repairing cracks. As far as cleaning or freshening up the other areas. Muriatic acid wash by someone who knows what they are doing with it as it is caustic. Or suck it up and pay 18K for the replacement of it all.