Many Tile ranges now come with special step edge pieces. A lot of times these are not advertised by the retailers but they are available. Many of our ranges have this option available. If you can email us (info@design-di-lusso.com) an idea of the kind of tile you're after we can have a look for a suitable tile with a step edge available from our ranges.

These photos look good. It would be lovely if the tv-hearth would be on the opposite wall (and the radiator moved), so the sofa could go sideways (and not be in front of the hallway door..), but that would be quite a project. Perhaps a custom built media cabinet opposite the sofa, plus an extra chair where the tv is in the photo?

Many thanks for all the feedback. So the plot thickens. I took off the "skirting" and there is basically just a void underneath for some pipework - images attached for reference. I'm assuming in order to tile this i'd probably need to box in the area first. Probably screw a baton into the floor or something and affix a bit of wood (ply?) On a separate point i wonder if it's worth bringing the level out into the main hallway a little? Edging on the step i agree is a must - either a tile edging or the oak nosing i think would both work. Thanks again for the feedback.

As above, put in a ring footing for the outer walls and some pad footings in where the stepping stones will be. Build the outer walls with blockwork to the required depth of the pool and then install a box welded butyl liner. This will alleviate the need for unsightly folds in the corners and it is easier to set the paving on the edges, allow for a couple of centimetres overlap of the top paving. Now build the blockwork on top of the liner for the stepping stones, again making sure the blockwork is slightly smaller than the slab dimensions as this helps make the stepping stones look like their floating. Paint the blockwork black under the stepping stones and this will make them less obvious.