Both suggestions above are good. One house we did had an outdoor deck area which led to a pool and we put timber decking on the deck with a perpendicular timber-decked walkway leading to the pool. We then put lights in the walkway which created a 'catwalk', continuing along the deck. It looked great at night lit up with the pool lights on too! Love the stepping stones and gravel idea too.

I hate to say this, but I really think it depends on what you like and there are pros and cons to each. First, gloss will show marks, such as fingerprints or smudges easier, so that is something to think about, depending on who uses your benchtop and how it is used. I have had clients use both, but personally, the gloss makes me a little crazy keeping up with the smudges, but that is more of an issue to me, in a darker colour. Gloss also gives a bit more of a luxe feeling and reflects more light, which can be a good or a bad thing, depending what you are after, and the amount of light your kitchen gets. I am assuming you have gotten a sample of both to look at in your kitchen and play with a bit. If not, definitely do that and see what you find. Let me know if I can help more.

Hi Rae, Carrara Marble has a different veining pattern to the Lucent Quartz Artic white that you asked about in an earlier post. In addition to the suggestions made by Dreamer here and by myself earlier with these man made Quartz I.E. Reconstituted Stone versions, there is also a Natural Stone alternative that you may like to consider; this being Quartzite (not to be confused with man made Quartz tops) which in addition to being Natural Stone and having the appearance of Marble, Quartzite is as hard as Granite, is non porous, and is scratch and acid proof; making Quartzite a perfect alternative to Marble for kitchen benchtops. Colours that you may like to check out may include Opus White Quartzite (top image below) or White Princess Quartzite (bottom image below). Hope this information helps, Malcolm.

Visit Bunnings or similar painting store. Purchase a concrete exterior flooring paint. Ensure that the existing concrete is cleaned completely, maybe pressure clean first. Then paint on with a roller as per instructions.