While I agree that the steps do not currently match the house and were an add on, I don't see why you can't make them work! Add Saltillo tile to the tops of each step, in keeping with what you already have. Then add Talavera tiles, in random patterns if you're funky, all matching on each layer of riser if you're more of an orderly person, or in the middle, which would be to have each riser contain the same pattern all the way around the whole step, but having each step in a different pattern. (I would make them match somewhat) Then, have a welder fabricate hand rails to continue from your upper porch rails, down the sides of each step, so elderly and young folks can still access your stairs. It will also keep the flow and the beauty of the steps in tact. Then, you might consider adding a few scattered tiles elsewhere on your porch to help tie in the whole look, like a Talavera tile-topped table, or maybe a row of tiles above the front door? I can't really see the in the photo if that would work, but there are tons of Talavera tile ideas that would dress up your lovely home! [houzz=] [houzz=] [houzz=]

Hi bagpu55, thanks for your comment, you will find that the level of scratches that come through on the sealer will depend on the type of gloss sealer used. Polyurethane or solvent based sealers last a lot longer and are much more durable, even with animals present. Having said this, the negatives are that solvent based products take some time for the strong smell to escape in a confined environment and are not the most eco-friendly of products. And eventually the scratches will come through particularly in high traffic areas. As for the dust, the gloss will show it a bit more. Based on the fact that you do have a number of animals in your home, you probably will not regret going with the matt finish. The concrete won’t have the ‘wet’ shinny look, but you also won’t be sitting on your couch possibly looking at a lot of scratches on the floor when the light hits it just so. A possible compromise is a satin finish sealer. It will provide some shine and enhancement to the floor without showing as many scratches. I hope this helps you out a bit. Good luck with your choice and post some pics of what your finished floor looks like. Always great to see the finished product!

Hi Melissa, the pic you've shared looks like a photo realistic render (i.e. digital artists impression) rather than a pic of an existing space but maybe that's just because it's screen shot. You could achieve a similar look with concrete stamping or large scale concrete tiles. This website might help... https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete-patio/

Look into terrazzo, it's basically polished concrete with style. Terrazzo is a poured coloured concrete with glass or stone chips in it to give it a variety of looks. It's then polished to a high lustre. It comes in any colour like from bright whites to black and you can choose the mix of aggregates to make your own custom flooring. Commonly seen in tiles, it can be poured as well to avoid the tiled look. A similar colouring to sandstone would be easy to achieve this way with a more durable finish. Terrazo's can also use interesting agregates like sea shells and limestone fossils to create a complete custom look. An alternative to a high thermal mass flooring would actually be the installation of phase change material mats in area's subject to direct light. Phase change material is a polymer used in the transport industry that either consumes or gives off heat as it moves from a solid to liquid state. The material is know to radiate either heat or cold back into the environment for many hours in a controlled release after several hours of charging through exposure to heat or cold. It's an inert technology that never wears out and innovative architects are beginning to incorporate it into passive housing design. The panels are manufactured to be quite thin so you could hang a pcm mat on a wall for example and easily cover it with something innocuous but it would passively heat the house.